Documentaries on ″Behind the Scenes″ or ″The Making of″ give us a glimpse of what we don't normally see in a movie. It could be the eight hours of make-up that it takes to create our favourite superhero, or the special training that actors have to go through to create that realistic fight scene. And most of the time, there's a surprise or two in the peek behind the finished product, when we get to see what went into the making of something.

This is what we are being given in Amos 7:1-9. It is unclear whether or not Amos had communicated this message to his original audience, but it was certainly recorded for later Israelites (and later readers of the Bible) to read. Thus far, we have been reading the messages that Amos delivered to his listeners in Israel. Now, the book turns to recording a visionary interaction between God and Amos.

God continues to show Amos the plans He has for disciplining Israel (Amos 7:1, 4). But this time, Amos intercedes and begs God not to send the planned punishment (vv. 2, 5). We might ask: Did Amos beg God to withhold judgment on previous occasions? If not, why was he doing it now? Was the planned punishment of locusts and fire much more severe than the others? Whatever the reason, it drives Amos to beg for God's mercy. And God relents!

Twice, God shows punishments–punishments that are deserved and that are outlined in the law for Israel's sins (see Deuteronomy 28:15-68)–and twice, on Amos' intercession, God relents (Amos 7:3, 6)

The third vision shows that the discipline is deserved. God is going to set a plumb-line against Israel to show how far she is from what is right (v. 7). This raises the interesting question: If Israel indeed deserved discipline for deviating so far from God's laws, then why did God relent? Did God hold back because of Amos' prayers?

Possibly–that is the impression that verses 3 and 6 give. God does go on to say that He will raise His sword against Israel (v. 9), but He will spare them the two particular punishments of locusts and fire. Though the discipline is deserved, God withholds His hand on Amos' request for the safety of his people.