What happens when God measures His people against His own standard?

In this episode of Unskripted, we take a look at the book of Amos, exploring one of Scripture's most sobering prophetic images, the plumb line.

Was God's judgment against Israel arbitrary, or was it the inevitable consequence of generations of injustice, idolatry, and spiritual compromise?

Together we examine the historical setting of Jeroboam II's prosperous kingdom, Amos' unlikely calling as a shepherd from Judah, and the covenant warnings God had already given through Moses centuries earlier. Along the way they discuss how prosperity can conceal spiritual decay, why God continually warns before He judges, and how His desire has always been repentance rather than destruction.

More than an ancient prophecy, Amos confronts every generation with the same question:

What happens when our lives are measured against the plumb line?

• Amos 1–9
• Amos 2:6–8
• Amos 3:7, 10
• Amos 4:1
• Amos 5:10–12, 21–24
• Amos 6:4–6
• Amos 7:1–17
• Amos 8:14
• Deuteronomy 28
• Exodus 32:11–14
• Genesis 18:23–33
• Isaiah 28:14–18
• Isaiah 57:15
• James 5:16–18
• Jonah 3
• Matthew 7:21–23
• Matthew 23
• Numbers 23:19
• Psalm 34:17–18
• Psalm 72:12–13
• Psalm 86:5–7
• Psalm 102:17
• Psalm 138:6
• Psalm 145:18–19
• 1 Kings 8:65
• 1 Kings 12:28–33
• 2 Kings 14:25

• Butler, Trent C. Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah. Holman Old Testament Commentary. Nashville: Holman Reference, 2005.
• Fredericks, Daniel C. "Bethel." In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.
• Frederick, John. "Mercy and Compassion." Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press, 2014.
• Fausset, A. R. A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments. Vol. IV. London: William Collins, Sons & Company.
• Kelle, Brad E., and Brent A. Strawn. "History of Israel 5: Assyrian Period." In Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books.
• Mariottini, Claude F. "The Life of Jeroboam II." In Ultimate Guide to the Holy Land. Nashville: Holman Reference, 2022.
• McKelvey, Michael G. "Amos." In ESV Expository Commentary: Daniel–Malachi. Vol. 7. Wheaton: Crossway, 2018.
• Moseley, Allan. "Amos." In Exalting Jesus in Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Holman Reference, 2024.
• Sala, Maura. "Bethel North of Jerusalem." Lexham Bible Dictionary. Lexham Press, 2016.
• VanGemeren, Willem, ed. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997.