“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer
that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29, NKJV)
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit,
and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
The power of God’s word can easily be underestimated. Thomas preached about this last Sunday. We can become spiritually dull to that power; the Minor Prophets attested to this in ancient Israel. I came across two excerpted passages this week on this subject, and I
thought they were such good summaries that I would pass them on.
“The close connection between God and his word means that the qualities attributed to God’s word also describe God’s own personal character. In the Old Testament, God’s word is creative (Ps. 33:6),good (Mic. 2:7), holy (Jer. 23:9), complete (Jer. 26:2), flawless (2
Sam. 22:31; Pss. 12:6; 18:30; Prov. 30:5), all- sufficient (Deut. 8:3; Isa. 50:4; Jer. 15:16), sure ( Isa. 31:2; 45:23; Jer. 44:28), right and true (Judg. 13:12, 17; 1 Sam. 3:19; Ps. 33:4; Isa. 55:11), understandable (Deut. 4:10, 12, 36; Neh. 8:12), active (Hos. 6:5), all-powerful (Pss.
68:11-14; 147:15-18), indestructible (Jer. 23:29), supreme (Ps. 17:4), eternal (Ps. 119:89; Isa. 40:8), life-giving (Deut. 32:46-47), wise (Ps.119:130 ), and trustworthy (2 Sam. 7:28; 1 Kings 17:16) ... God’s word is equivalent to divine rescue. It brings healing (Ps. 107:20;
Eze. 37:4-14) and refreshing (Deut. 32:1-2). To those who reject it, it becomes offensive (Jer. 6:10) and meaningless (Isa. 28:13), and injudgment will come upon them as a raging
fire and a hammer that breaks rocks to pieces (Jer. 23:29). But to those who accept it, it gives and sustains life (Deut. 8:3). God’s word is like living water, welling up to nourish creation from the Spring on High (Jer. 2:13).” (H. Douglas Blackwalter, Evangelical
Dictionary of Biblical Theology 1997, Electronic Ed. s.v. “inspiration.”)
“But the written Word is also related to the Spirit since He is the One who moved and
controlled the human writers (2 Pet 1:21). It becomes entirely reasonable, then, to expect a
dynamic quality in the Word. It is called living and powerful (Heb. 4:12). It has vitality and
motion. It is like a fire (Jer. 20:9) and a hammer (Jer. 23:29). It speeds upon its divine mission
(Ps. 147:15; Isa. 55:10, 11; 2 Thess. 3:1). Like the Spirit Himself, it breathes infinite variety
and unfailing freshness. The Word is never dull and drab but instinct with life. It abounds
with varied provision for the needs of God’s people, containing spiritual food for every day’s routine as well as special guidance and help for crisis times. The very form of Scripture attests its nature and origin, the Spirit providing a generous variety. The Word contains both
prose and poetry, history and prophecy, instruction and admonition, promise and pleading, prayer and praise. It is a fountain that never fails, a treasure store that cannot be exhausted. A lifetime spent in its careful and devout study enables one merely to touch the hem of the garment.” (Everett Harrison, “A Neglected Apologetic,” Bibliotheca Sacra (Dallas, TX: Dallas Theological Seminary, 2002), 95:441.)
To both of them, I say Amen and Amen. One of Satan’s most significant attacks on this world is to work to devalue, discredit, and deemphasize the Word of God. As Thomas noted, that is where he started with Eve. We have the same temptations. If His Word does not thrill us, fill us with awe, and call our hearts to obey Him, then we know that sin in us is causing that. Let us repent and pray that God’s Spirit will work through His written Word in us to make us all that He wants us to be.
—John Ostic
Comentarios