1. Three visions (1-9)

God showed Amos three visions of judgment on Israel. The locusts and the fire represent judgments so thorough that no one could survive; God relented when Amos prayed for mercy. The third vision was a plumb line. A wall built true to a plumb line is straight and strong. The moral and spiritual plumb line is God's word. Israel had deviated from God's word from the beginning: the first king put an idol in Bethel. So the whole nation was crooked. Unless they repented, God would destroy them.

2. Amos, go home! (10-17)

Amos was from Judah. God sent him to preach in Israel. When people can't see their own blind spots, God sends them missionaries from other countries. Amaziah was the priest of Bethel. He assumed that Amos, too, was working for money. But Amos was a 'tentmaker.' He went to Israel because God sent him. Threats could not silence him.

Application: Lord, measure us by your plumb line and give us repentant hearts.
One Word: The plumb line of God's word