The Plumb Line

Plumb-Line

Bricks in masonry with touched plumb-bob for vertical line.

I will make
justice the measuring line
and
righteousness the plumb line
Isaiah 28:17 NIV

Contents:

Scriptural Refererences

[13] I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. (2 Kings 21:13 NIV)
[17] I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.
[18] Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. [19] As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through.”
The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror. (Isaiah 28:17-19 NIV)
[11] The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will nest there. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation. (Isaiah 34:11 NIV)
[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, "What do you see, Amos?"
"A plumb line," I replied.
Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. (Amos 7:7-8 NIV)
[8] Then the word of the Lord came to me: [9] "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
[10] "Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "(These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth.)" (Zechariah 4:8-10 NIV)

[ Hebrew origin: Descended of Babel: David Mandel]

Intent

Education

Inform

[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, "What do you see, Amos?"
"A plumb line," I replied.
Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. (Amos 7:7-8 NIV)

Previous chapters in Amos portrayed some of the evil which was going down in Israel.

The Lord demonstrates the accuracy of the plumb-line held in His hand with a wall built true to plumb (verse 7). Then, in verse 8, He shows how He will use that plumb-line to investigate what is currently going down in Israel, explaining that He will deal with everything which is out of true. Israel will be spared no longer!

Thematic change
[11] The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will nest there. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation. (Isaiah 34:11 NIV) et seq

The context is Edom, now in deep trouble with the Lord. The LORD will rescue Zion and take vengeance on her enemies.

Perhaps now is an opportune moment to review the treatment handed down to the Jews over the last two thousand years. Not only have they suffered accusations of murdering their Messiah, but they have been treated with contenmpt and indignity by many. So-called civilised nations have played fast and loose with Israel's status as a nation, and with their God-given right to self-determination within the boundaries of a land given them by the Lord God Himself. The Jews, too, have been subject to genocide ... and in Germany, during the Second World War, it was on a scale never seen before.

At the time of Zechariah6C, the Lord expressed His anger against those nations who had overdone Israel's punishment:

14 Then the angel who talked with me said to me: “Proclaim! Thus said the LORD of Hosts: I am very jealous for Jerusalem—for Zion—15 and I am very angry with those nations that are at ease; for I was only angry a little, but they overdid the punishment.
16 Assuredly, thus said the LORD: I graciously return to Jerusalem. My House shall be built in her—declares the LORD of Hosts—the measuring line is being applied to Jerusalem.
17 Proclaim further: Thus said the LORD of Hosts: My towns shall yet overflow with bounty. For the LORD will again comfort Zion; He will choose Jerusalem again.” (Zechariah 1:14-17 (Tanakh))

How much more, then, will the Lord take exception to the way the nations have dealt with Israel over the last two thousand years!

[5] The LORD has prepared his sword in heaven, and now it will strike Edom, those people whom he has condemned to destruction. [6] His sword will be covered with their blood and fat, like the blood and fat of lambs and goats that are sacrificed. The LORD will offer this sacrifice in the city of Bozrah; he will make this a great slaughter in the land of Edom. [7] The people will fall like wild oxen and young bulls, and the earth will be red with blood and covered with fat. [8] This is the time when the LORD will rescue Zion and take vengeance on her enemies. (Isaiah 34:5-8 GNT)

Those who touch the Jewish People touch the apple of his eye! So will not the Lord execute judgement on them?

[7] Up! Escape to Zion, you that live with daughter Babylon. [8] For thus said the LORD of hosts (after his glory sent me) regarding the nations that plundered you: Truly, one who touches you touches the apple of my eye.
[9] See now, I am going to raise my hand against them, and they shall become plunder for their own slaves. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.
[10] Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will come and dwell in your midst, says the LORD.
[11] Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in your midst. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. [12] The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. (Zechariah 2:7-12 NRSV)

[Essay: The importance of Jerusalem and Zion to the Lord God.]

The Lord's stance

The Lord makes His position clear. He is opposed to Israel's backsliding, and intends to put matters to rights:

[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, "What do you see, Amos?"
"A plumb line," I replied.
Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer. (Amos 7:7-8 NIV)

The Lord has seen the evil taking place in Israel. Action is required, so He decides to set up a plumb line among Israel so that He may measure the degree of evil. He will not show them any mercy.

Warn

One might have thought that contemporary churches would have heeded the warnings and turned away from their evil. But that has not been the case. The House of Desolation continue to follow their own defiled covenant, while the new-covenant church attribute its false doctrine to the authority and power of the Lord Spirit. As for the Messianic Jews, they fall somewhere in the middle as they take the Bible, rather than the Scriptures, for their authority.

Prophecy

[8] Then the word of the Lord came to me: [9] "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
[10] "Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. "(These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth.)" (Zechariah 4:8-10 NIV)

The context of the prophecy is the Covenant following its Messianic Amendment.

Judgement

[13] I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. (2 Kings 21:13 NIV)

Punishment

[13] I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. (2 Kings 21:13 NIV)
[17] I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge, the lie, and water will overflow your hiding place.
[18] Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the realm of the dead will not stand.
When the overwhelming scourge sweeps by, you will be beaten down by it. [19] As often as it comes it will carry you away; morning after morning, by day and by night, it will sweep through.”
The understanding of this message will bring sheer terror. (Isaiah 28:17-19 NIV)

Encouragement and hope

[8] Then the word of the Lord came to me: [9] "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.
[10] "Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
"These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range throughout the earth." (Zechariah 4:8-10 NIV)

The historical reference (verse 8) grounds the Lord's words, and lays the foundation for the words He is about to speak.

In verse 10, the Lord emphasises that what He is about to do is no trivial thing, but something which will cause unalloyed rejoicing in mankind.

The further context is that the Lord will use the Plumb-Line to show the evil of those defiled covenants vaunted by Jew or Gentile (the Jewish 'covenant of Desolation'; and the Gentile 'new covenant'). He will then be able to deal with them. Following on from this will be the execution of His plan to put His Church back on the right track [in the shape of David's Rebuilt Tent].

[Essay: The Lord often grounds His words by prefacing them with statements of historical fact.
Discuss the effectiveness of such an approach.
Discuss, too, the collateral benefits of this approach.
]

Agency

Who is Zerubbabel?

David Mandel gives the Hebrew origin of the name 'Zerubbabel' as 'Descended of Babel' - which would make the context 'mankind'.

Recall the Lord's assessment of the hearts of mankind:

[5] The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. (Genesis 6:5 NIV)

With this in mind, the meaning of Zerubbabel could either be a specific person who carried out the Lord's wishes; or someone - name as yet unknown - who will one-day carry out the Lord's wishes.

[Essay: The Lord's use of 'Hebrew origin' to obfuscate or to clarify His meaning within Scripture.]

Thematic change

The structure of Zechariah chapter 4 is one in which Zerubbabel is sandwiched between information on the Two Olive Trees. Where did the Two Olive Trees spring from? The structure of the chapter is such as to suggest that Zerubbabel has a major part to play!

The obstacles facing Zerubbabel are insurmountable:

[7] "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground." (Zechariah 4:7a NIV)

Which will be achieved by the [power of the] Lord Spirit. The Lord addresses Zerubbabel directly:

[6] So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

This is a direct message, spanning the years, from the Lord to Zerubbabel! It offers not only encouragement, but also reassurance.

This levelling out of the ground will enable the Lord to plant the Two Olive Trees, nurture and bring them on, and then send them - and their descendants - out into the world to serve Him. They are also, to change the metaphor, the Cypress and Myrtle. Their's is the [inherited] authority of Priests in the Order of Melchizedek. The Two Witnesses are descendants of the Two Olive Trees:

[12] Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?" [13] He replied, "Do you not know what these are?"
"No, my lord," I said.
[14] So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth." (Zechariah 4:12-14 NIV)

[1] I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. [2] But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
[3] And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." [4] These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. [5] If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. (Revelation 11:1-5 NIV)

Righteousness

Within the Covenant, perhaps Moses offers the best explanation of righteousness. Not only does it apply across the timeline, but it forms the solid base for Jesus' amendments to the Covenant - the Messianic Amendment.

It may be summarised thus:

[20] In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” [21] tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. [22] Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders---great and terrible---on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. [23] But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors.
[24] The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
[25] And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.” (Deuteronomy 6:20-25 NIV)

Covenant as contract

The Covenant is an abstract contract which functions as a container. It is instantiated with the insertion of other - explicit - contracts. Since it is a container, other contracts can be added or removed. So, when you grasp this, then you will be able to understand the Covenant in all its amazing detail and wonder.

First, however, some knowledge of contracts is necessary. Some everyday experience of contracts will be helpful too. The ability to recognise a contract when it is staring one in the face from the pages of Scripture, will prove invaluable.

Here is a schematic of the Mosaic Covenant for older children:

Schematic of the Mosaic Covenant

Schematic of the Mosaic Covenant.

See also:
  1. Contracts
  2. Covenant - is a contract?
  3. Covenant - is amendable?

Structural integrity

The Covenant

Application of the Plumb-Line will ensure that the Covenant remains structurally sound.

The Church

Continued use of the Plumb-Line will ensure that division within the Church will be avoided.

Personal/group integrity

Consistency

It is important that there is consistency across the timeline. Particularly with regard to definitions of right and wrong.

After the ending of the age, the 'Court of No Appeal' will be convened. It will be an open court, with nothing heard in camera. The proceedings will be fully transparent across the timeline.

The resulting transparency will forbid changes in definitions of right and wrong across the timeline. The changing mores in contemporary society will not be acceptable in court on the Day of Judgement. A person cannot be condemned to Death under Covenant Law, while another person goes free for the same offence - as is taking place today in the new-covenant.

The Law must remain consistent across the timeline.

Neither can the Covenant be terminated in an arbitrary manner to be replace by a different covenant. Paul and the new-covenant church have been guilty of this very thing!

Unity

It was Jesus' earnest prayer that there might be unity within the Flock: one Flock dwelling in one sheep-pen.

The unity of the Flock will drive up the potentiation which, in turn, will increase the yield of the harvest.

Outreach

The unity within David's rebuilt Tent will enhance outreach.

Resources:
  1. Covenant: content.
  2. Covenant: dialogue with the Lord.
  3. Covenant Model.

The Covenant will offer some generalisations regarding outreach.

But it will be actual discussion with the Lord - mandated by the terms of the Covenant - which will provide specific guidance to individuals/groups, allowing them to bear fruit for the Lord. Recall that entry into the New Jerusalem is conditional on bearing fruit.

Taking the Covenant Model to the nations will give them the methodology for living their lives, setting up the infrastructure for their community, and for becoming fully integrated into the Covenant.

Thrown to the wolves

The outlook is bleak indeed:

[15] "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." (Matthew 7:15 NIV)
[16] I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16 NIV)
[3] Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:3 NIV)

More information on the danger may be found in Daniel and in Matthew chapter 24.

[Essay: The Awful Horror (Daniel chapters 9, 11, and 12 GNB; Matthew chapter 24 GNB; Mark chapter 13 GNB).]

Thematic change

[Assignment: Discuss the factors which increase the success rate of the wolves.]

[Assignment: Discuss the factors which will keep the potential prey from becoming prey.]

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Note that the plumb line can also double up as a measuring line:

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