Cutting Swords, Cutting Words

O. T. #1820 "Cutting Swords, Cutting Words"

Nov. 12, 2020

Jeremiah 47

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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. (Hebrews 4:12)

LET IT GLOW

Will you agree with me that words can cut us to the very soul and heart? They can be so sharp that it is like a knife cutting out our heart. Evil words and hateful words can continue to ring in our mind for years. But there is a remedy for this kind of pain. In today's reading, we find a nation facing the same situation. Read on friend.

What encouragement can we find here? Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Egypt, and it happened. Now he is prophesying the destruction of Philistia where those cruel Philistines lived along the coastal plain next to Judah. They always had been a thorn in Israel's side. They were always fighting in battles. You will recall when David brought down one of their giants with only pebbles (and God's power) in 1 1Samuel 17. They were the wrongs in a world of wrongs.

Other prophets spoke against  Philistia-Isaiah14, Ezekiel 25, Amos 1, Zephaniah 2. Philistia was destroyed in 604 B.C. by the Babylonians, sent by God. The Philistines were so frightened that they did not even  turn back for their sons. (verse 3)

How long will these cut themselves? (verse 5) The Philistines will loose everything so they will be cutting themselves as a sign of sorrow. As long as the sword of the Lord cuts them, is the answer. Jeremiah begs them to put up their sword, to rest, and be still. (verse 6) The prophet had compassion and wanted to see an end of the war. How can the sword be still when God sent it on a mission? (verse 7) It must fulfill its charge. They were reduced to nothing when God was finished with them.

The solution for the Philistines was repentance of their sins, turn from idolatry, and love God as the One and Only.

Dear friend, Jesus' love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on us, as the song says. Jesus is our hope in hopeless times. Nothing can overwhelm us that He has defeated it. We must trust in our Lord Jesus to do what is right in a world of wrongs. 

Will we cling to Jesus and His Word? 

LET IT GROW

Now look at our key verse. What is sharper than any 2 edged sword? It is God's Word. How is it described?

• alive and powerful;
• sharper than any 2 edged sword;
• cuts between the soul and spirit;
• cuts between joint and marrow;
• exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Nothing in creation is hidden from our God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. (NLT)

Doesn't this explain why some people rebel against the truth? They don't love God's Word and do not want to be cut up in their soul and thoughts by guilt of their sin. They despise the corrections it gives, so they avoid hearing it. Also, they want to get rid of the ones delivering the truth. When the solution is so simple-admit they are a sinner in need of a Savior, Jesus Christ, but pride prevents this. 

Pray for those we know in this condition.

If we are the ones who have had our heart cut out with cutting words, we need to turn to Jesus. He is Healer. Let His healing love flow down into the chambers of our soul and the closets of our mind.

LET IT GO

Father, keep us loving Your Word.

May we hide it in our heart so we don't sin against You, Holy Father.

Please use us to share and stand for Your truth.