481. JER 23:29. THE WORD OF GOD LIKE A FIRE AND HAMMER
Jer_23:29. The Word Of God Like A Fire And Hammer
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord and like a hammer that breaketh the rocks in pieces?"’97Jer_23:29.
The faithful Jeremiah is here called by God to prophesy against false prophets, and to denounce the displeasure of God against such as mixed their own dreams and imaginations with the word of God. Hence the Lord says, "I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies in my name?" &c. Then God says, in reference to these prophets, "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream," that is, let him only make it known as a dream, not as a revelation from God. "And he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." Then follow the words of the text, "Is not my word like as a fire," &c. Observe, I What the Text implies.
Various figures are employed to describe the word of God, and these figures have reference to the influence which the word exerts, and the effects which are produced by it. As a sword, it pierces and cuts asunder. As a medicine, it heals. As a lamp, it illumines, &c. The figure of fire evidently implies, (1) That man is the subject of dross. That he requires refining Or that, (2) he has within him much that is as stubble, that must be burnt up. Per haps the prophet had his mind directed to chaff which was cast into the oven &c. The figure of the hammer implies, the hard and rocky condition of the human heart. And this is directly taught in God’s word. He is said to have a "heart of stone," Eze_11:9. Like the rock, (1) Man’s heart is barren. (2) Hard. (3) Resisting. And this is the natural state of every unregenerate soul. Notice,
II. What the Text affirms.
For the interrogatory phraseology of the text evidently sets forth the truth of God’s word,’97As a fire, and as a hammer, &c.; the word of God,
1. Is a fire.
Celestial fire. Fire from heaven. Holy fire. Fire that searches the conscience. Fire that burns up the dross, and purifies the soul. Fire that changes into its own nature all that comes into contact with it. And it contains threatenings which will consume all sinful tares with unquenchable fire. This divine fire burns out the carnal principles of the heart. It burns up all earthliness and worldly-mindedness,’97all inward sin. It sends its flame into all the interstices of the soul. And sanctifies even the imaginations of the heart. "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth," Joh_17:17. See Joh_15:3. God’s word, 2 Is a hammer.
Adapted to impress and to break even the rock in pieces. As a hammer, it breaks in pieces the obduracy of the heart,’97the impenitence of the heart,’97the unbelief of the heart,’97the apathy of the heart. It produces conviction of sin,’97contrition for sin,’97separation from sin. We see it exerting this power, (1) On the children of Israel at Bochim, when an angel spake unto them the word of the Lord, "And the people lifted up their voice and wept," &c., Jdg_2:4. (2) On the Israelites in the time of Ezra. See Ez. ix. 10:(3) On the people under Peter’s sermon; "Who, when they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts, and said unto Peter, and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Act_2:37. So also in the case of the jailer at Philippi, &c. In every age of the world, God’s word has proved itself as a hammer breaking the rocks in pieces. In our own country, how many skeptical, profligate hearts have been broken in pieces. The history of modern missions also confirms the truth of the text. This hammer has been exerted on every grade and character of human beings. The wild Hottentot,’97the savage New Zealander,’97the untutored American Indian,’97the idolatrous Brahmin,’97the sensual Hindoo. And everywhere it has been as a purifying fire, and as a hammer breaking the rock in pieces.
Application
Learn,
1. The importance of maintaining the purity of God’s word. Science, philosophy, and literature, are utterly powerless as to the renewal of the heart of man. They may civilize, and polish, and expand the mind, &c., but they cannot convince of sin, or convert the soul. This is to be effected by the word of truth, the gospel of God, the hammer of the holy scriptures.
2. The necessity that exists for the employment of the divine word. The hammer must be used, the word of God must be preached. "For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." See Rom_10:14-17. Now the employment of the divine word devolves upon the church. Jesus has left his word with his people, that they may convey it into all the world, and exert its influence on every creature. However excellent in itself, of adapted to save the soul, it is powerless, unless it be brought to bear upon the hearts of men. The hammer is adapted to break the rock, but it must be lifted up and made to fall with power upon it. The word of God is adapted to save the soul, but the hand of the servant of God must bear it, and smite with it the consciences of sinners, as Peter, and Paul, and the apostles did. We must not forget,
3. That men may resist the word; and in this man differs from the rock. Hence the word is full of moral power, the power of truth, and the power of grace, but it exerts no physical energy on the mind, but leaves every man accountable to God Then we must urge men to hear, to consider, to believe, &c.
4. The incorrigible sinner it will destroy. To such it is the savour of death unto death. "What shall the end be," &c. "How shall we escape," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS