Introduction
The more you study the Scriptures, the more you become aware of its awesome attributes and at the same time amazed by how powerful, versatile, and useful it is. In this study, the qualities inherent in the word of God will be examined.
Study Questions
1. What are the different forms the word of God is revealed to us?
2. What can you liken the Word of God?
3. What is the attributes or characteristic of the word of God?
4. Did God warn not to add or remove from His word?
5. Are the Scriptures hard to understand?
Conclusion
Questions and Comments
1. What are the different forms the word of God is revealed to us?
Read: Exodus 24:12, Nehemiah 9:13, Deuteronomy 4:14, Psalms 19: Psalm 119
Comments
When God called Moses up to the mountain, the word of God was given to him in the form of law and a commandment. As God relates to His chosen people, the dynamics of His word were further expressed in terms of precepts, judgment, statutes, ordinances, and testimonies. All these terms that described the word can be clearly noted in Psalms 19 and 119.
Scriptural references
Exodus 24:12, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”
Nehemiah 9:13, “You came down also on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments.”
Deuteronomy 4:14, “And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you might observe them in the land which you cross over to possess.”
Genesis 26:5, “because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
Psalms 19: 7-9, The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psalms 119:1-6, “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed When I look into all Your commandments.”
Terms describing the word of God
a) Law (Torah): The Hebrew word translated “law” in the Bibles is Torah. Torah simply means direction, guidance, or instruction. The first five books of the Bible (Pentateuch in Greek) are collectively referred to as the Torah because they contain guidance or instructions for the people of God in the various matters in which the law relates. The various laws found in the Pentateuch are the moral law, the civil law, the ceremonial law, and the food law. The Ten Commandments (Decalogue in Greek) which is the moral law of God is sometimes referred to as the Torah. The Torah is God’s given instructions or revelations to mankind for living a moral, spiritual, and social life.
i) The moral laws are laws that are based on the eternal principle of the unchanging God and are consistent with His nature. The Ten Commandments are the moral laws of God and form the basis or foundation of every other law of God. It dictates the principles of what is right or wrong and the rules regarding our moral and religious duties.
ii) The civil laws are those laws that regulate the daily life and social behavior of God’s people regarding persons and possessions.
iii) The ceremonial laws are laws that regulate the temple services and administrations. It dictates how sacrifices and offerings are to be made. It contains principles of acceptable worship.
iv) Food laws regulate foods that are to be eaten and not to be eaten. Differentiate between clean and unclean food.
b) Commandments (Mitzvah): This refers to the law, edict, or statute which expresses the will of God for humanity and therefore must be obeyed. It specifically refers to The Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments is based on the eternal moral principles that are consistent with the nature of God. The Ten Commandments are a statement of the terms of the covenant God made with His chosen people and are distinguished from other laws in the Pentateuch. Distinguished because they were given verbally and directly to the whole children of Israel at Sinai while other laws were given to Moses first and Moses then delivered them to the children of Israel. The Ten Commandments are often called the Decalogue, from the Greek word which means “the ten words”. Exodus 20:2-17, Deuteronomy 5:7-21, Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, 10:4, Genesis 26:5; Exodus 15:26.
Scriptural references
Exodus 34:28, “So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”
Deuteronomy 4:13, “So He declared to you His covenant which He commanded you to perform, the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them on two tablets of stone.”
Deuteronomy 10:4, “And He wrote on the tablets according to the first writing, the Ten Commandments, which the LORD had spoken to you in the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them to me.”
c) Judgments (Mishpat): They are a judicial decision, sentence or verdict which may be favorable or unfavorable given by a Judge or court which helps resolve matters or disputes. Judgments are God’s laws used by the judges to make decisions, resolve disputes, and sanction offender who falls short of the law, based on the case brought to them. It is the process of discernment or separation between good and evil. Deuteronomy 16:18; De 17:9; Ge 18:19; De 32:4.
Scriptural references
Exodus 21:1, “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them:”
Deuteronomy 16:18, “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment.”
Deuteronomy 17:9, “And you shall come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge there in those days, and inquire of them; they shall pronounce upon you the sentence of judgment.”
d) Statues and ordinances (Chuqqah): These are standing orders or customs usually connected with the appointment times with God. They are permanent rules established by God regarding how we worship Him and observe His Holy Days (feasts). Leviticus 18:4; Deuteronomy 4:1; Leviticus 23.
Scriptural references
Leviticus 18:4, “You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the LORD your God.”
Deuteronomy 4:1, “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you.”
2 Kings 17:37, And the statutes, the ordinances, the law, and the commandment which He wrote for you, you shall be careful to observe forever; you shall not fear other gods.”
e) Precepts (Piqquwd): Used mostly in the Psalms to describe the rules of the Torah or other writings of the prophets. They are counsels which may be applied to a variety of situations or direction given as a rule of action or conduct. Psalms 19:8; 103:18, Psalm 119.
Scriptural references
Psalms 119:4, “You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently.”
Psalms 119:93, “I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.”
Psalms 119:104, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”
f) Testimonies (Eduwth): These refer to the acts or laws of God which testify of His goodness, power, judgments, and rules in His dealings with His people. The tablet of stones containing the Ten Commandments and the Torah is also called testimony because they serve as a witness or testimony against those who go against them and to clear God as He judges using them. Exodus 25:16, 22, 2 Kings 11:12, Psalms 19:7
Scriptural references
Exodus 25:15-16, “The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.”
Joshua 24:27, “And Joshua said to all the people, “Behold, this stone shall be a witness to us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD which He spoke to us. It shall, therefore, be a witness to you, lest you deny your God.”
2 Kings 11:12, “And he brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, and gave him the Testimony; they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”
g) Word (Dabar): They are used to suggest divine oracles or the revelations of God. They are the inspired God’s words given to Holy men by the Holy Spirit either in spoken or written form. The equivalent word in Greek in the New Testament is “logos”. Exodus 34:28; Exodus 20:1
Scriptural references
Exodus 34:28, “So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”
Exodus 20:1, “And God spoke all these words, saying:”
Genesis 15:1, “After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
I Samuel 15:10, “Now the word of the LORD came to Samuel, saying,”
I Kings 6:11, “Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying:”
I Kings 21:17, “Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,”
2 Chronicles 11:2, “But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying,”
Isaiah 28:13, “But the word of the LORD was to them, “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little,” That they might go and fall backward, and be broken And snared and caught.”
Isaiah 38:4, “And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,”
Jeremiah 32:26, “Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,”
Acts 13:49, “And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”
I Peter 1:25, “But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now, this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”
2. What can you liken the Word of God?
Read: Psalms 119:105, James 1:23-24, Mathew 4:4, Luke 4:4, Hebrews 5: 12-14
Comment:
The Word of God can be likened to
a) A Lamp: The word of God is a lamp. It gives light and sends darkness away. It illuminates your path in life so that you don’t fall. It keeps you on the right path, helps you escape entanglement, deception, false teachings, and shows you the danger ahead of you. With the word of God in your heart, you cannot be lost in this world of darkness.
Scriptural references
Psalm 119: 105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Proverbs 6:23, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life,”
b) Food (the bread from heaven): The Word of God is the source of spiritual nourishment. The food you must eat daily by reading and studying it. The word of God sustains and keeps alive; without it, you will be spiritually malnourished and never attain spiritual maturity. As you cannot do without physical food so is the word of God.
Scriptural references
Hebrews 5: 12-14, In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Matthews 4:4, But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
c) A Seed: There is life inherent in the Word of God. It has the ability to grow and multiply. When you study the word of God you are sowing the seed of abundant life into your life which will germinate and grow till eternity. When the seed of the word of God falls on a good heart it bears much good fruit with patience.
Scriptural references
Luke 8:11, “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.
Act 12:24 “But the word of God grew and multiplied.”
d) A Sword: In Christian life, you wrestle with spiritual forces in the ranks of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. The word of God is the believer’s offensive weapon against these foes. It is the sword of the Spirit. In the time of temptation, trial, and spiritual warfare, when the word is rightly used it produces victory. To avoid any assaults or harassment from the enemies, a Christian is enjoined to put on the whole armor of God, which includes the sword of the spirit (the word of God). With the word of God, you have the most powerful weapon on earth to fight the battle of your life with a guaranteed victory because the word of God never fails. The word of God is a two-edged sword, it has a penetrating power. It can also discern the intent and thought of your heart.
Scriptural references
Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:17, “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 alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
e) A Mirror: The word of God is a mirror. It shows your sinful conditions and what is wrong in your life with the opportunity to go to God for forgiveness and help. When you look into the mirror of the word of God you see yourself exactly how you really look before God.
James 1:23-25, Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
f) A Hammer: The word of God is a hammer. It can break the heart of stone, destroys any rock of challenge, and bring down mountains of doubt. It is powerful and effective.
Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
g) A fire: The word of God is like a fire. It warms, purifies and consumes depending on how you relate to it.
Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
3. What is the attributes or characteristic of the word of God?
a. The Word of God is Perfect.
The word ‘perfect’ in Psalm 19 verse 7 is from the Hebrew word “tamiym” (taw-meem) and it means complete, full, whole. It means the word of God is without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings. It is accurate, thorough, and correct in every detail. So, everything we need to live our lives can be found in the scriptures.
Scriptural references
Psalms 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;”
b. The Word of God is Pure (Holy)
The word of God is clean and clear without any impurities. It is undiluted, spotless, and untainted. It is refined as the work of a goldsmith without any dross. The Word has been purified seven times. In its original language, it is without any error. It is Holy and perfect in all its given. It is proven and is plain and nothing is crooked or perverse is in it. It is called the Holy Scriptures because they are the words of the Holy God. Holy men spoke them as they are inspired by God through the Holy Spirit. The word of God is sacred and must be hallowed and treated with respect.
Scriptural references
Proverbs 30:5a, “Every word of God is pure;”
Psalms 119:140, “Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it.”
Psalms 12:6, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times.”
Psalms 18:30, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
Proverbs 8:8, “All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.”
Romans 1:1-2, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,”
2 Timothy 3:15, “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
2 Peter 1:21, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
c. The Word of God is powerful.
The Word of God is powerful, that is, it is effectual. It is capable of producing an intended effect. It is powerful to bring forth salvation and healing. It can bring forth deliverance, blessings and prosperity, a life of abundance, peace, joy, and salvation. The word of God is so powerful that it cannot fail.
Scriptural references
Hebrews 4:12, “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.”
Isaiah 55:11, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
Psalms 107:20, “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
d. The Word of God is active.
The word of God is living. There is life in the Word. By reading, studying, and doing what it says you will receive the very life of God – Zoe. It can revive the dead and bring dry bone to life.
Scriptural references
Hebrews 4:12, “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.”
John 1:1-4, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
Psalms 119: 50, 93, “This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
e. The Word of God is sharp.
The word of God has a penetrating power. It has the capability to reveal what is wrong in your life and give you the solution if you allow it. It can discern the intent and thought of your heart.
Scriptural references
Hebrews 4:12, “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.”
f. The Word of God is true.
The scripture is the basis of what is right or wrong. It is trustworthy and is the source of truth regarding life and godliness, death, the judgment of God, righteousness, marriage, sin, salvation, morality, and many more. There is no better place to find the truth on any subject of life than the Holy Scriptures.
Scriptural references
John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Psalms 119:160, “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
g. The Word of God endures forever.
The Word of God is eternal. It lives and abides forever. From eternity past to eternity present, it is the same word that will be used to judge all humanity because it does not change.
Scriptural references
1 Peter 1:23-25, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
h. The Word of God is unchanging.
The word of God bears the same attributes as God. Because God does not change, His word cannot change. It stands firm and is unchangeable. It is inspired by the all-knowing God who is ever faithful. It can never be outdated or become obsolete; thus it does not need revising or updating by man.
Scriptural references
Psalms 119:89, “Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.”
Psalms 89:34, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.”
Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.”
4. Did God warn not to add or remove from His word?
Read: Proverbs 30:6, Deuteronomy 12:32, Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22: 18-19
Comment:
We are commanded not to tamper with the scriptures by adding and subtracting from it. There are serious consequences when you tamper with the scriptures.
Scriptural references
Proverbs 30:6, “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”
Deuteronomy 12:32, “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
Deuteronomy 4:2, You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Revelation 22: 18-19, “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
5. Are the Scriptures hard to understand?
Read: Proverbs 8: 8-9, 2 Peter 3:15, 16, John 6:60, 1 Corinthians 2:11, Acts 8.
Comment:
Most of the scriptures are plain and can be easily understood by a converted mind. In the case of those difficult ones, you need to prayerfully trust the Holy Spirit (who knows the mind of God) for the truth God intends. Sincere studying and proving the word can help with understanding Bible difficult questions. Seeking counsel from your ministers is also a wise thing to do in your quest for the true understanding of the scriptures. You need someone to guide you sometimes to understanding Bible difficult questions, Acts 8.
Scriptural references
Proverbs 8: 8-9, All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. They are all plain to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
2 Peter 3:15, 16, and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
John 6:60, Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?”
1 Corinthians 2:11, For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Proverbs 11:14, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Acts 8:30-31, “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.”
Conclusion
The word of God is God. It is divine; hence it bears the same attributes as God. Just as God, the word of God is Holy, perfect, pure, powerful, living, true, unchanging, and eternal. Because the word of God is an essential and inseparable aspect of our life, it is can be likened to a lamp, food, seed, sword, mirror, hammer, and fire. The word of God is dynamic, it is expressed in the form of a law, commandments, precepts, judgments, statutes, ordinances, and testimonies. The word of God is God’s revelation to mankind for living an acceptable, moral, spiritual, and social life.
0 Comments