Verse of the week

[Adam Knowlden]

Hey guys I thought this might be a great way to all share how a verse speaks to us.

Here is the verse:

<font color="red"> Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? </font>

How has the verse impacted you? How can you relate to it?

There are no right or wrong answers here, just your experience with this verse. If this helps out, I'd like to do stuff like this once a week, and see how it goes.

I will post my response soon. /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Hooah101]

to me, I feel that it's saying that the word of God can spread, it is all consuming and can go anywhere and change anyone or anything. It breaks down evil and untruths just by spreading the truth. Lies and evil and all broken with Gods word.

[Adam Knowlden]

Whoa!

I didn't of the properties of fire when reading this verse. Like you said, it consumes everything in its path.

That was good stuff! I like this thread already! This is what is cool about stuff like this is that the Spirit reveals things to one person that He doesn't to another.

Incredible dissertation!

[ QUOTE ]
<font color="red"> Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? </font>

How has the verse impacted you? How can you relate to it?


[/ QUOTE ]

My first thoughts are that I can be like a rock on the

outside. Hard, and un - moldable; not like clay the Potter

can use. God's Word is like a fire that burns up the

underbrush (the "stuff" in our lives) and creates a clean

landscape where things can flourish better than before! His

Word is also like a hammer and capable of breaking my "rock"

or my defenses, so He can get in and use my life and live

through me /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[jeffrobodean]

His Word is burning in my heart to do his Will or change my behaviors. It is also like a rock to break down any inhibitions I have of performing his works. He said to go out and make disciples of all men - I have a hard time doing that, but he will break through that barrier.

[Hooah101]

very good thread OS. im looking forward to your thought, and more threads like this. -Preston

[Xxms250]

The fire in witch the Lord speaks of,is a symbol of power,fire cannot be touched neither can the Lords words it is almost as if you are to obey this fire,and the hammer that breaks the rocks into pieces is ment to shatter all the wrong in a person,to fix the wrong.........

[tarheelsykes]

This verse impacts me because now a days there are so many people who try to change Christianity to meet their needs. They try to rationalize everything they do, putting their words into God's mouth. But this verse shows that cant be done. No matter how we try to alter it, to change it, The Word of the Lord crushes it, leaving only what is true. Reminds me everytime when I need to make a decision, rather than leaning on my thoughts, the need to turn to the Word to know what I need to do.

But I have a question. Isn't there "one interpretation, but multiple applications" of scripture? If so, then why are we all coming up with our own "interpretations?"

[Adam Knowlden]

I don't know what you mean about interpertations?

The discussion is how does the verse impact you.

I don't think anyone is changing doctrines, just sharing how the verse affects them.

For example, examining the verse in the context of the properties of fire. Its not taking away from the meaning of the verse, its just going deeper. Word studies are a very ancient Christian practice that can give new revelations about God's Words.

[President Wilson]

[ QUOTE ]
to me, I feel that it's saying that the word of God can spread, it is all consuming and can go anywhere and change anyone or anything. It breaks down evil and untruths just by spreading the truth. Lies and evil and all broken with Gods word.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was inspiring!

Thanks for clarifying. I understand now /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[newbuilder]

[ QUOTE ]
Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

How has the verse impacted you? How can you relate to it?


[/ QUOTE ]

OK, I have learned that a fire requires three things, and some people say four. These are fuel, heat, and oxygen. The fourth that is sometimes added is the chain reaction. Fire also cannot survive when one of these elements is taken away. If firefighting, we learn that to put out a fire, one takes away one these elements.
So Jeremiah is saying that In order for God's word to survive and thrive it needs fuel and heat and oxygen and to some minds a chain reaction. Additionally, if one of these elements is taken away, God's word will die.

I am not experienced with a hammer that breaks rocks. But I can see how a rock is something that seems to be impossible to break, so solid and strong - yet the hammer breaks it to pieces. So God's word takes what seems to be solid and strong and impossible to break and shatters it to pieces. Amen.

[rickck48]

Great question? Well the fire is what burns when I make mistakes and know I was wrong! The hammer is what really drives the scripture home even when I know it just stepped on my own toes! /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Adam Knowlden]

Great discussion guys!

Here is the context:

Lying Prophets
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me;
all my bones tremble.
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the LORD
and his holy words.
10 The land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse the land lies parched [c]
and the pastures in the desert are withered.
The prophets follow an evil course
and use their power unjustly.

11 "Both prophet and priest are godless;
even in my temple I find their wickedness,"
declares the LORD.

12 "Therefore their path will become slippery;
they will be banished to darkness
and there they will fall.
I will bring disaster on them
in the year they are punished,"
declares the LORD.

13 "Among the prophets of Samaria
I saw this repulsive thing:
They prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.

14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen something horrible:
They commit adultery and live a lie.
They strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from his wickedness.
They are all like Sodom to me;
the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah."

15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets:
"I will make them eat bitter food
and drink poisoned water,
because from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land."

16 This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds,
not from the mouth of the LORD.

17 They keep saying to those who despise me,
'The LORD says: You will have peace.'
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
they say, 'No harm will come to you.'

18 But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD
to see or to hear his word?
Who has listened and heard his word?

19 See, the storm of the LORD
will burst out in wrath,
a whirlwind swirling down
on the heads of the wicked.

20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand it clearly.

21 I did not send these prophets,
yet they have run with their message;
I did not speak to them,
yet they have prophesied.

22 But if they had stood in my council,
they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds.

23 "Am I only a God nearby,"
declares the LORD,
"and not a God far away?

24 Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?"
declares the LORD.
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
declares the LORD.

25 "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. 29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

30 "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The LORD declares.' 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the LORD. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the LORD.



To me this context is stating that even though these false scholars and new age "believers" try to change the Perfect Holy Standards of God, His Word will never change. Neither will His Justice, Perfect Standards, or His Words.

David reaffirms this:

Psalm 33:9-11

9For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.


This is guarnteed at the beginning of this chapter. That although man tries to corrupt God's Word with his foolish philosophies, God's Word can never be quenched!

Why? Because God Himself would teach man His ways:

Jeremiah 23
The Righteous Branch
1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.
5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.

6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteousness.

7 "So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' 8 but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."

The first prophecy of Christ coming, the Lord our Righteousness, is fulfilled. The second prophecy that Israel would return to their land is fulfilled after 2500 years of no nation of thier own. Even at this present time the Jews are returning from the North, fulfilling prophecy as we speak!! /forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[newbuilder]

I would like to add to that -

The passage shows that the prophet knows the ways of man.
The prophet speaks what God says
Is he saying that the false prophets are speaking from their own minds? They are inventing their own theories and philosophies by which to conrol the people? And then calling it prophecy? Is this what has brought such desolation to the land has he so speaks?
And then he talks about the dreams that the men are having and how they tell them to the people to govern and contol them. Is he saying that they were lying about their dreams? That dreams we do hav do reveal truth?
But then the prophet lays down a finishing blow saying that the word of God is like a fire and a a hammer that crushed the rock.
I can only imagine that the prophet uses these words to bring Israel back to its senses, to bring their hearts back to the God of Abraham.

[Venom]

[ QUOTE ]

Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

[/ QUOTE ]

This verse has always made me think of spiritual warefare.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore...17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Hebrews 4:12
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.

We have this spiritual weapon, and often times don't use it. It is the ultimate offense! We can break down any barrier; and crush any spiritual foe with it. /forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Adam Knowlden]

These have all been great fellas! I've read them all!

If anyone else has something to add, please do, I am going to put up a new verse soon.

I believe this verse and others like it I will post are going to be very relevant for the upcoming weeks as we see more and more of these trash "gospels" spewing for the mouths of psuedo scholars like Dan Brown. These false teachers and prophets creating these blasphmeous gospels such as the Da Vinci code, the Jesus papers, or gospel of Judas.

The true testimony of what happened 2000 years ago is laid out for us.

The apostles didn't suffer upside down crucifixion, being boiled in oil, or used as human torches in Nero's rose garden for a lie.

They believed Christ arose and gave us a sure Word of truth!

[newbuilder]

This has been the verse of the week for almost six weeks.

[bucktheduck]

Jeremiah 23:29
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?


I think to me, it says that God's word can burn (like fire) through the meanest persons heart/soul/feelings to show them a way. Its powerful, hard hitting, like a hammer. It hits you when you least expect it and then it all makes sense but by then you have already committed a sin or lost your faith in God or turned your back on him. Its his way of saying "I didn't forget about you, have paticence."