Word Like a Hammer

"Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

Jeremiah 23:29

This verse follows on from God saying through the prophet, "What is the chaff to the wheat?"  The chaff is a thin, papery coating that is distinct from the edible wheat that can be planted and produce more grain.  God followed on to ask, "Is not My word like a fire?"  There was a statute in Israel that all spoil obtained from enemies was to be purified by fire if it could endure fire.  Dreams and prophesies were thus tested and approved by the absolute truth of God's word He had spoken.  God's word would consume the chaff of lies and deceit and reveal the living word God spoke through His faithful ministers that would bear much fruit.  As it is written in Psalm 12:6, "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

God then likened His word to a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.  A hammer wielded by a worker is able to accomplish what is impossible with bare hands.  Sometimes a hammer is used to pulverise rocks, and this morning I used a roto hammer to separate bricks from concrete.  While power tools did not exist when the prophet Jeremiah spoke these words, God's word remains true and relevant to this day.  Not only does God's word have the power to break hard hearts, it can make an accurate impact on our hearts and minds.  In the context of distinguishing faith in God from unbelief, Hebrews 4:12 says:  "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."

For a hammer to be useful, it needs to be accurately swung.  While separating concrete bedding from pavers, it was important to place the chisel bit in the correct location to create cleavage between the different materials.  It is important we do not use the Bible as a hammer to bash people, but that we humbly allow the Holy Spirit to administer the impact of God's word where it is best needed.  Because we cannot know people's hearts (or perfectly discern our own thoughts and motivations) we are called to exercise faith God is able to safely use all His word in a refining, purifying and constructive way.

Jesus said in John 16:12-14, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."  Our call is to trust God by obeying His word and to leave all the "hammering" on others to God.  Not only does God always and only speak the truth, but God is perfectly accurate to accomplish His purposes by the redemptive work of His word in our hearts.  His word is able to make quicker work in the minds and lives of His humble children than a roto hammer through concrete bedding.