Amos 7 begins a series of five visions given to the prophet by Yahweh concering the northern kingdom. The first two were of destruction, yet the Lord’s hand was stayed by the prophet’s intercession. The third described the finality of God’s decision to punish the nation due to their persistence in unfaithfulness to the covenant. A major component of the vision is that of a plumb line, representing an objective standard of truth (cf. Amos 7:7-9). Still today, God suspends a plumb line in the midst of His people.