Every Word
By Jarrod M. Jacobs

When reading the Bible, we see emphasis placed upon the fact that the entirety of the Bible is truth. David praised the word of God when he said, “The sum of thy word is truth ...” (Ps. 119:160, ASV). Some record it, “Your word is true from beginning to end.” The point is that every word within the pages of the Bible is inspired. It is “God-breathed” and must be respected as such (2 Tim. 3:16-17). In fact, not only do we read Scripture that emphasizes the value of the words used, but we also read Scripture that shows us that the very letters used to form the words are inspired by God.

I know this because when I read Galatians 3, I see where God inspired the apostle Paul to argue for Christ being the promised “seed of Abraham” based upon one letter, the letter “s”! He told the Galatians, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ” (Gal. 3:16).

On four specific occasions, the Bible commands us to respect every word God has inspired men to write. For example, Deuteronomy 8:3 says, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” Jesus later quoted this verse when He talked with Satan (Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4). Solomon declared, “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him” (Prov. 30:5). The following verse states, “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Prov. 30:6). Therefore, within the Bible, we see emphasis upon God’s word not only from the standpoint of not adding to or taking from the teaching; but also it is emphasized that we must respect every word which is contained within the Bible!

Why make this observation? It is because while some claim they respect the Bible, it is evident that they do not appreciate every word they read within the Bible! Sometimes, this comes from reading too fast, and sometimes this results from being unobservant. Still, either way, the end result is that we miss out on vital truth and deep insight into the Bible when we read without an appreciation for “every word” that proceeds from the mouth of God. I am doing my best to follow my own “advice,” and brethren, I am learning to appreciate God’s word more and more every day!

One brother in Christ has helped me to stop and truly think about the words in the Bible. He has even encouraged me to read aloud to myself to help me comprehend what I am reading. Reading aloud to yourself allows the eyes to see and the ears to hear the words in the Bible. Friend, it works! Another brother in Christ is careful in his sermons to emphasize certain words so that we can get the meaning. I remember listening to one of his sermons on tape where he read from Matthew 15:25, where the Syro-Phoenician woman cried to Christ saying, “Lord help me.”  Then, by slowing down, he took the time to ask, “How did she say that? Well, how would you say that?” He then emphasized each word (“Lord, help me”; “Lord, help me”; “Lord, help me”) and showed what happens when we emphasize different words. Try it, and see for yourself!

The point is that every word written in the Bible is essential and has meaning. We must respect the context, observing whether things were spoken under the Old or New Covenants, “to whom” things were spoken, and “why” they were spoken. Yet the way we will know the answer to these questions is by taking note of the very words being used! They are important. God said so.

David wrote that the “blessed man” is the one who “meditates” in God’s word “day and night” (Ps. 1:2). The word “meditate” carries with it the idea of one who thinks, ponders, or carefully considers something. This person does not merely give it a passing glance but stops and truly considers what is being said within the context. We need more people God can call “blessed”! Friends, when the apostle makes an argument based upon one letter in a word (Gal. 3:16), we can be assured that the words are meaningful! Let us resolve to slow down and think carefully about the very words which make up the sentences in the verses of the Bible. It will do us good spiritually and lead us in the way we ought to go (Ps. 119:105). 

 Nahum – No Second Chance!
By Keith Greer

“The burden against Nineveh... God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and reserves wrath for His enemies. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked” (Nahum 1:1-3).

This short book (three chapters, 47 verses) is dedicated to one thing–destruction of the  blood-thirsty, cruel Assyrian city of Nineveh. An ancient city built by Asshur, a son of Shem, the son of Noah, Nineveh was (From 1100 to 800 B.C.) the capital city in Assyria. According to Jonah 4:11, it was a huge city. One hundred fifty years earlier, God sent Jonah to preach repentance to this wicked city. She repented at that time, but later returned to her wicked ways. Nahum tells how God was going to punish Nineveh.

This book clearly defines God’s awesome power. “Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him... But an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies” (Nahum 1:6).

Why did it happen? “Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries and families through her sorceries” (Nahum 3:4). Nineveh’s past repentance could not save her from the present trouble. The book of Nahum can help us see that our duty is to remain faithful to God. Any nation that pursues a course of ungodliness and rebellion against God will not escape His condemnation. Each nation must choose. Even a great nation needs to take stock of the course on which it’s traveling. God does not change! 

 The Paradox of The Cross
By Eugene Britnell

The cross of Christ is the greatest of all paradoxes. It was the most tragic event in the history of the world, yet the most wonderful thing that ever happened. It was the saddest spectacle man ever beheld, yet it was the most stunning defeat Satan ever suffered and the most glorious victory Christ ever won. He won by losing. He conquered by surrendering. The cross was the greatest exhibition of divine justice in condemning sin, yet the most wonderful demonstration of divine mercy in pardoning sin. It was God’s greatest manifestation of hatred for sin, yet His supreme proof of love for the sinner. The cross was the darkest hour in history, yet it was the time of greatest light. Though the sun refused to shine, and God hid his face from Christ, the cross was the means by which Christ became “the light of the world” (John 8:12). In the cross we see man’s hatred for Christ, yet we see Christ’s love for man. There we see human vengeance as the crowds cried for His blood, yet we see divine forgiveness as Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). The cross portrays man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness; human weakness and divine strength. It demonstrates man’s inability to save himself, and God’s ability and power to do this for him. The cross, from the human standpoint, is foolishness; yet it is a revelation of the highest wisdom of God.

(1 Cor. 1:18).