WORD OF GOD DESCRIBED
we want to reveal the quality of something, we often use a word picture to
portray the quality of the object. We have all heard the phrase, “He is as
strong as an ox.” The man is not an ox, but the picture of the strength of the
ox lets us know that this man’s might is more than that of an ordinary man.
This writer has also heard people say, “That little child is just as cute as a
bug.” A bug? Not too many bugs are that cute, but somehow we still get the
the Scriptures set forth the qualities of an object by means of a word
picture. Jesus described Herod as a fox in Luke 13:32. The word “fox” sets
forth the cunning craftiness of that wicked ruler. In John 1:29, John the
Baptist refers to Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” In so doing, he highlighted the
purity and innocence of Jesus as the One who would be sacrificed for the sins
of the world.
Bible is also described with numerous word pictures. In this article, we want
to examine four of these and elaborate upon their meaning. In Luke 8:11, the
Son of God calls the Word of God “seed.” “Now the parable is this: the seed
is the word of God.” The apostle Peter also used the picture of seed to
describe the Word in I Peter 1:23. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” A
seed is “power packed into a very small shell.” One little seed planted into
the ground can yield a very bountiful harvest. With the proper soil,
nurturing, and care, a tiny plant breaks the soil. In a few short weeks, an
abundant harvest can come from that little seed. In like manner, the Word of
God is a small volume. It can easily be carried in a purse or coat pocket.
Yet, there is the power to produce an abundant harvest contained within it.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word,
and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an
hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matt. 13:23).
description of God’s Word is given in Ephesians 6:17. The offensive weapon of
the child of God is the Word of God. Paul exhorted the church at Ephesus to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The inspired penman
of Hebrews also refers to the Word as a sword in Hebrews 4:12. “For the word
of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” A sharp sword is
designed to penetrate. A sharp sword will sink deeply into the inner recesses
of the body. The two-edged sword of God’s Word is designed to sink deeply into
a man’s heart. Once the heart is penetrated, one of two reactions is
forthcoming. One will gladly receive the Word as did the Jews on Pentecost
(Acts 2:37-38, 41), or, one will become angry and close his ears to the message
like the Jews to whom Stephen spoke (Acts 7:51-60). Either way, the Word cuts. The response is determined by the goodness or evil found in the heart of
third description of the Word of God is that of fire. This description is used
in two ways in the Biblical text. One of the pictures is negative. The fire
is portrayed as a devouring enemy. “Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of
hosts, Because he speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth
fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them” (Jer. 5:14). God’s Word can be a destructive force. The warnings of God’s wrath and judgment
are plenteous in the Bible’s pages. The Word destroys all things that are vile
and wicked and contrary to the truth.
fire of God’s Word can also be a positive substance. The weeping prophet of Israel, Jeremiah, grew discouraged at times when his message was not received. In this
weary state, he would resolve not to speak any more in God’s name. God’s Word,
however, burned as a fire in his bones. Eventually, the fire brought the pot
to a boil and Jeremiah could not hold back from speaking. “Then I said, I will
not make any mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was
in my heart, as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with
forbearing, and I could not stay” (Jer. 20:9). The fire here burned in a good
sense. The prophet of God was compelled to speak because of the raging fire
within. Many in Israel needed to hear the message that rolled from the lips of
this man of God. All would be warned. Some would humbly and penitently turn
to God because of his message.
final picture that we will discuss involves a hammer. Some might immediately
think of the positive nature of a hammer. It is able to construct and build.
The Word of God can do this according to Acts 20:32. “And now, brethren, I
commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you
up, and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.”
However, when Jeremiah portrays God’s Word as a hammer, he pictures its
destructive power. “Is no my word like a fire? saith the Lord; and like a
hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29). A sled hammer is here
described. It can take giant rocks and reduce them to dust. In the immediate
context of Jeremiah’s writing he is referring to God’s Word that stands in
opposition to the words of the false prophets. God’s Word would bring to
naught the lies and falsehoods of the deceptive prophets. Today God’s Word
still stands in opposition to the false teachings of our day. God’s Word
pounds against them and reduces them to rubble (i.e., baptism is not essential
to salvation, see Mark 16:16; and women used in the public worship, see I
Corinthians 14:34-35). Man erects his erroneous teachings and God’s Word batters
each one of them down.
one of the pictures of God’s Word that we have seen has a common aspect to it.
It shows that God’s Word is a powerful force in the world. When God’s word is
proclaimed, a man ought to tremble before it (Isa. 66:2). He ought to hear it
with swiftness and readiness of mind (James 1:19). Upon understanding His will, He should immediately obey its demands (Matt. 7:21). If a man does not plant the seed of God’s Word into his heart, the Word will rise up like a
destroying hammer and a consuming fire against him. It is not wise to reject
the powerful Word of the living God!!!