Repentance Needed

Amos 7:1–9 (NKJV)

7 Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, He formed locust swarms at the beginning of the late crop; indeed it was the late crop after the king’s mowings. 2 And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said:

“O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray!
Oh, that Jacob may stand,
For he is small!”
3 So the LORD relented concerning this.
“It shall not be,” said the LORD.

Locusts were sent by the Lord to decimate the crops and grass of Israel.  Amos interceded for Israel, and the Lord relented.

4 Thus the Lord GOD showed me: Behold, the Lord GOD called for conflict by fire, and it consumed the great deep and devoured the territory. 5 Then I said:
“O Lord GOD, cease, I pray!
Oh, that Jacob may stand,
For he is small!”
6 So the LORD relented concerning this.
“This also shall not be,” said the Lord GOD.

Fire was sent next by the Lord, but–again–Amos interceded and the Lord relented.

7 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?”
And I said, “A plumb line.”
Then the Lord said:

“Behold, I am setting a plumb line
In the midst of My people Israel;
I will not pass by them anymore.
9 The high places of Isaac shall be desolate,
And the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste.
I will rise with the sword against the house of Jeroboam.”

Finally, the Lord measured Israel with a plumb line, and found them wanting.  Therefore, He would no longer relent from His punishment.  He would desolate their idolatrous places and bring the sword against them.  Two lessons are present here:  prayer makes a difference, but eventually repentance is the only way to stave off the judgment of a righteous and holy God.  Repent while you can!