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- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
As the "fire" consumes the "chaff" (Jer 23:28), so "My word" will consume the false prophets (Mat 3:12; Heb 4:12). "My word" which is "wheat" (Jer 23:28), that is, food to the true prophet and his hearers, is a consuming "fire," and a crushing "hammer" (Mat 21:44) to false prophets and their followers (Co2 2:16). The Word of the false prophets may be known by its promising men peace in sin. "My word," on the contrary, burns and breaks the hard-hearted (Jer 20:9). The "hammer" symbolizes destructive power (Jer 50:23; Nah 2:1, Margin).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord,.... The legal part of it is as fire; it is called a "fiery law", Deu 33:2; like fire, it is quick and piercing, and penetrating into the hearts and consciences of men; and works wrath there, and raises a fearful expectation of fiery indignation; it threatens with everlasting fire; it sentences men to the fire of hell; and the righteous Judge, in the execution of it, will be a consuming fire to wicked men. The Gospel part of the word is like fire, on account of the light the entrance of it gives to sinners; by which they see their own impurity, impotence, and the insufficiency of their own righteousness, and the way of life and salvation by Christ; and by the light of this fire saints are directed in their walk and conversation; and by it immoralities, errors, and superstition, are detected: also on account of the heat of it; it is the means of a vital heat to sinners, the savour of life to them; and is warming and comforting to saints, and causes their hearts to burn within them; it inflames them with love to God, Christ, and one another, and with zeal for truth and the interest of a Redeemer; though it has a scorching and tormenting heat to wicked men, and fills them with burning malice and envy, Rev 11:5; and, through the corruption of human nature, is the occasion of contention and discord, for which reason Christ calls it fire, Luk 12:49; and indeed it has different effects on different objects, as fire, which hardens some things and softens others; see Co2 2:16; moreover, it may be compared to fire for its purifying, separating, and trying nature: as fire purifies gold and silver, and separates the dross, and tries the metal, and shows it what it is; so the Gospel tries men's principles, and discovers what they are, and separates one from another: and also for its consuming nature; it opposes, weakens, and burns up the worst in man, his lusts and corruptions, which it teaches him to deny; and the best in man, all his holiness and righteousness he depended upon; and it burns up the chaff of false doctrine and human inventions before mentioned. and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? to which the heart of man may be compared, being hardened by sin, confirmed in it; destitute of spiritual life; stupid and senseless; stubborn and inflexible; on which no impressions are made, and is impenitent and inflexible; see Zac 7:12; now the word of the Lord, in the hand of the Spirit, is a means of breaking such hard hearts, and taking away the Obduracy and hardness of them; there is a legal contrition of it, through the law part of the word, by which there is a knowledge of sin, and the soul is wounded with a sense of it, and sore broken, but without any view of pardon, righteousness, and salvation by Christ; and there is an evangelical contrition or brokenness of heart, through the Gospel part of the word, by means of which the stony heart is not only broken, but melted and dissolved into true evangelical repentance for sin, through the discoveries of a Saviour bruised and broken for its sin, and through a view of free and full pardon by his blood, and justification by his righteousness. Now the word is only an instrument; it is not the efficient cause of all this; as a hammer is but an instrument, and a passive one, can do nothing of itself; it must be taken up and used by a powerful hand, or it can do no execution; what is a hammer without a hand? so the Gospel is only an instrument in the hand of, he Lord; but when he takes it into his own hand, and strikes with it, it will break the hardest heart in pieces, and make a stony heart a heart of flesh, Eze 36:26.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:29 The Lord’s word has power, like fire, to destroy false prophecies. It would smash the seemingly impregnable fortress of Jerusalem like a mighty hammer.
Lying Prophets
28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.29“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(1 Corinthians) ch.1:25-2:16
By Zac Poonen6.7K43:461SA 3:19JER 23:29MAT 12:36ACT 1:81CO 1:311CO 2:21CO 3:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not relying on human wisdom or cleverness when preaching the word of God. He highlights the need to speak about the things that God freely gives and not boast in our own abilities. The speaker also emphasizes the significance of the words that come out of our mouths, as Jesus said that we will be held accountable for every idle word spoken. He encourages preachers to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and the proof of God's power in their words, rather than trying to impress people with their own abilities.
Is Not Your Word a Fire?
By Jim Cymbala2.5K45:30JER 20:9JER 23:29JER 29:13MAT 3:111CO 2:4HEB 4:16This sermon emphasizes the need for fire in preaching and ministry, highlighting the importance of God's anointing and power to bring transformation. It addresses the longing for genuine spiritual fire, not emotionalism, to ignite hearts, purify lives, and lead to true revival. The speaker urges pastors and ministers to seek God's fire in their preaching, emphasizing the impact of a word anointed by the Holy Spirit to penetrate hearts and bring about lasting change.
K-537 Defining the Prophetic Call (2 of 2)
By Art Katz1.4K1:07:51Prophetic CallJER 23:10JER 23:29MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the contrast between a preacher who lives a luxurious lifestyle and one who is deeply involved in the struggles and challenges of the community. He emphasizes the importance of communicating the substance and spirit of the kingdom of God, rather than just presenting truths about it. The speaker shares a personal experience in Germany, where he felt called to speak out against religious institutionalism and challenge the status quo. He also discusses the need for Christians to boldly proclaim the word of God, even if it means facing opposition and criticism.
(Proverbs) ch.8:17 - 10:12
By Zac Poonen1.3K1:01:16PRO 1:22PRO 9:2PRO 29:18JER 23:292TH 3:7In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence in both the business world and in spiritual life. He references the biblical story of Adam being told to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow as an example of God's appointment of hard work for humanity. The speaker also highlights the need to be wise and make the most of our time, as every day is filled with evil. He warns against being incorporated into the Babylonian system, which he equates with the path to hell. The sermon encourages listeners to live with sincerity and openness, renouncing hidden dishonesty.
Itching Ears
By Michael L. Brown98445:24PSA 119:105PRO 3:18ISA 30:8ISA 30:11JER 23:29ACT 24:25In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of love and warning others. He quotes Robert Lernick Shane, who suggests that if we truly loved others, we would warn them about the dangers they face. The preacher also highlights the need for sound doctrine and warns against the temptation to follow teachings that cater to our own desires. He mentions the concept of holding revivals, particularly in the American context, and suggests that there may be more to the gospel message that people need to hear. The sermon concludes by discussing the importance of the gospel message to both lost sinners and the church, emphasizing the need for individuals to recognize their own lostness and turn to faith in Christ Jesus.
Take Away My Heart of Stone
By R. Edward Miller95628:14HeartPSA 114:7JER 23:29JER 25:30DAN 9:21ROM 2:5HEB 3:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of the voice of the Lord. He compares it to a hammer that breaks the cedars of Lebanon. The preacher explains that when the powerful voice of the Lord speaks, something will have to give and yield. He then refers to Psalm 114, where the presence of the Lord caused the earth to tremble and turned a rock into standing water. The preacher uses this analogy to illustrate how God can transform the hardened heart of man, breaking it, melting it, and making it sensitive to His presence. The sermon concludes with a prayer for a visitation from God to rend the heavens and come down with a melting fire to soften and transform hearts.
Gospel Meetings-Shannon Hills 06
By Worth Ellis77854:39JER 23:29JHN 1:11JHN 3:1JHN 3:3JHN 16:8ROM 6:23ROM 10:9HEB 4:13In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being born again in order to see and enter the Kingdom of God. He explains that being born again means surrendering to God and accepting Jesus as one's Savior. The preacher also highlights three reasons why being born again is necessary: to leave behind one's past, to receive eternal life and forgiveness of sins, and to be accepted by God. He supports his message with references to John 16:8 and the first chapter of the Gospel.
Waking Up America With Gospel Signs
By Roger Hertzler61642:47WitnessingISA 55:6JER 23:29MAT 3:2In this sermon transcript, the speaker expresses their initial anger and discomfort upon encountering a message about sinners being condemned to hell. They admit to wanting to destroy the message and avoid thinking about it. However, they repeatedly come across the message, which forces them to confront the reality of judgment and salvation. The speaker acknowledges that while some preach the bad news of judgment, there is also good news of a Savior who died for our sins. They mention a man who uses a converted rescue vehicle to display verses about repentance and salvation. The transcript ends with the speaker's struggle to ignore the message and their desire to forget it.
God Commands Men to Repent
By Rolfe Barnard59254:15RepentanceISA 40:3JER 23:29MAT 3:2MAT 7:21ROM 10:3GAL 3:7HEB 6:1In this sermon, the preacher discusses the role of John the Baptist in biblical history. He highlights the similarities between the society in John's time and the present day, emphasizing the prevalence of perverted religion and willful defiance of God's commandments. The preacher warns against making issues with God over trivial sins, as winning such battles could lead to damnation. He shares a personal anecdote about a young girl who made a bad choice by prioritizing a trip to the movies over attending church, emphasizing the importance of focusing on eternal matters.
The Battle Is Not Yours - Nothing Restrains the Lord
By Shane Idleman2031:16Spiritual WarfareTrust in God's Power1SA 14:62CH 20:15PSA 107:19ISA 55:11JER 23:29MAT 11:28ROM 8:31EPH 6:10HEB 4:161PE 5:7Shane Idleman emphasizes that the battle we face is not ours but belongs to the Lord, reminding us that nothing can restrain God. He encourages believers to recognize that no hindrance, battle, or power is too great for God to overcome, urging a return to prayer and spiritual warfare. Idleman highlights the importance of humility, gratitude, and desperation for God, asserting that true change comes from applying God's Word in our lives. He calls for a revival in the church, stressing that our hope lies not in political solutions but in a sovereign move of God. Ultimately, he challenges listeners to fully surrender their lives to God and engage in the spiritual battle with faith.
Epistle 23
By George Fox0Power of God's LoveUnity in ChristJER 23:29JHN 1:1ROM 5:51CO 1:241CO 13:51CO 15:47EPH 4:3EPH 4:16HEB 7:16JAS 1:211JN 4:16George Fox encourages believers to not fear the powers of darkness but to maintain unity and love through the power of God. He emphasizes the importance of meeting together in faith, recognizing the eternal nature of Christ, the second Adam, who transcends earthly struggles. Fox urges friends to remain faithful in God's life and power, allowing Christ to reign among them and fostering a community rooted in peace and love. He highlights the transformative power of God's word, which saves and strengthens the soul against opposition. Ultimately, he calls for a collective commitment to live in the love of God, which builds up the body of Christ.
Jeremiah 23:29
By Chuck Smith0Spiritual DiscernmentFalse ProphetsPSA 119:105PRO 14:12ISA 30:10JER 23:29EZK 34:2MAT 7:15JHN 6:35ROM 8:61TH 5:212TI 4:1Chuck Smith addresses the dire spiritual condition of the nation, emphasizing how false prophets mislead the people with lies, leading them away from the true worship of God. He highlights the consequences of their refusal to heed God's Word, which results in impending judgment and destruction. Smith draws parallels to contemporary society, where many seek entertainment over sound doctrine, preferring the chaff of false teachings over the nourishing wheat of God's truth. He warns that neglecting God's message leads to spiritual decay and ultimately, ruin.
False Teaching About the Last Days
By John R. Rice02CH 7:14JER 23:29MAT 24:29MRK 13:32JHN 14:12ACT 1:5ACT 1:7John R. Rice addresses the prevalent belief in the imminent return of Jesus, fueled by various signs and events like the atomic bomb, rise of Russia, and the establishment of Israel, leading to a sense of urgency and defeatism among Christians. He refutes the idea that specific events must occur before Christ's return, emphasizing the imminency of His coming as taught in the Bible. Rice highlights the importance of focusing on soul-winning and revival efforts regardless of current world conditions or misinterpretations of Scriptures, urging believers to trust in God's power and promises for salvation and revival.
(The Supreme Priorities) 2. One Thing Is Needful
By Zac Poonen0PSA 46:10PSA 119:105ISA 50:4JER 23:29MAT 11:25LUK 10:42JHN 12:48ACT 17:112TI 3:16JAS 1:22Zac Poonen preaches on the importance of prioritizing time to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear His Word, as exemplified by Mary in the Bible. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of focusing on the one thing needful, which is spending time with God's Word. The sermon delves into the authority of the Bible, highlighting Jesus' testimony, fulfilled prophecies, unity, endurance against attacks, life transformations, inexhaustibility, and personal revelation. It stresses the importance of hearing God's Word daily, warning against deception and emphasizing the need for humility, subjection, and obedience. The sermon also explores the transformative effect of the Word of God, comparing it to light, a mirror, and fire, emphasizing its role in guidance, self-examination, and purification.
Bible Survey - Jeremiah
By Peter Hammond0JER 1:5JER 4:14JER 9:2JER 9:23JER 23:5JER 23:29JER 29:11JER 31:31JER 32:38Peter Hammond delivers a powerful sermon based on the message of Jeremiah, emphasizing the consequences of backsliding and the importance of repentance for restoration. The sermon highlights God's punishment for sin, the hardening of hearts through continual sin, and the danger of using religious activities as a cover for sin. It also warns against idolatry, child sacrifice, and the deceitful nature of the human heart, while pointing to God's faithfulness, patience, and the hope of a New Covenant.
Repentance and Confession in Shansi
By Jonathan Goforth0PRO 28:13JER 23:29ACT 3:19JAS 5:161JN 1:9Jonathan Goforth preaches about the martyr province of Shansi in China, where over one hundred missionaries and many native Christians were killed during a terrible persecution. He shares a story of a Chinese scholar who was moved to believe in Jesus after witnessing the fearlessness and faith of missionaries facing death. Goforth also recounts the powerful revival in Taiyuan where backsliders confessed their sins and sought forgiveness, leading to a transformation in the community. Additionally, he describes the challenges faced in Hsichow, including a woman with an ungovernable temper and a former influential member who fell into sin, but through prayer and repentance, they experienced a revival.
Epistle 54
By George Fox0JER 23:29MAT 24:11JHN 3:19JHN 15:1ACT 26:18ROM 13:12GAL 5:19EPH 5:11HEB 1:3HEB 4:121PE 1:232JN 1:7George Fox preaches to the babes of God, urging them to dwell in the eternal light of Christ, which comprehends the world and condemns all evil deeds and works of darkness. He emphasizes the importance of living in alignment with the light, which leads to Christ and exposes false prophets and antichrists who oppose it. Those who turn away from the light and rely solely on human wisdom are condemned, while those who dwell in the light receive knowledge from above and are guided by Christ's gentle wisdom.
Epistle 207
By George Fox0Spiritual WarfareFaithPSA 18:29JER 23:29JHN 14:6ROM 1:16EPH 6:14HEB 4:12REV 14:3REV 17:14George Fox encourages believers to focus on the eternal seed of God, Christ Jesus, which transcends all earthly sufferings and challenges. He emphasizes the importance of living in the power and wisdom of God, urging the faithful to stand firm against spiritual adversaries and to claim their inheritance in Christ. Fox reassures that through faith and the armor of God, believers can overcome all opposition and remain steadfast in their divine calling. He calls for a rejection of false practices and a commitment to righteousness, reminding the faithful of their victory through the Lord's power.
Epistle 223
By George Fox0GEN 3:15JER 23:29JHN 1:1ROM 5:2EPH 4:13EPH 6:10PHP 1:5HEB 11:6HEB 13:91JN 5:4George Fox preaches about standing firm in the power of God, equipped with spiritual armor and weapons to have victory, access to God, please Him, and maintain unity with one another. He emphasizes the importance of using the Word of God as a sword and being shod with the gospel to combat false teachings and remain in fellowship with God. Fox encourages believers to dwell in righteousness, truth, and justice, and to fearlessly tread on the power of the devil with the power of God.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
As the "fire" consumes the "chaff" (Jer 23:28), so "My word" will consume the false prophets (Mat 3:12; Heb 4:12). "My word" which is "wheat" (Jer 23:28), that is, food to the true prophet and his hearers, is a consuming "fire," and a crushing "hammer" (Mat 21:44) to false prophets and their followers (Co2 2:16). The Word of the false prophets may be known by its promising men peace in sin. "My word," on the contrary, burns and breaks the hard-hearted (Jer 20:9). The "hammer" symbolizes destructive power (Jer 50:23; Nah 2:1, Margin).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord,.... The legal part of it is as fire; it is called a "fiery law", Deu 33:2; like fire, it is quick and piercing, and penetrating into the hearts and consciences of men; and works wrath there, and raises a fearful expectation of fiery indignation; it threatens with everlasting fire; it sentences men to the fire of hell; and the righteous Judge, in the execution of it, will be a consuming fire to wicked men. The Gospel part of the word is like fire, on account of the light the entrance of it gives to sinners; by which they see their own impurity, impotence, and the insufficiency of their own righteousness, and the way of life and salvation by Christ; and by the light of this fire saints are directed in their walk and conversation; and by it immoralities, errors, and superstition, are detected: also on account of the heat of it; it is the means of a vital heat to sinners, the savour of life to them; and is warming and comforting to saints, and causes their hearts to burn within them; it inflames them with love to God, Christ, and one another, and with zeal for truth and the interest of a Redeemer; though it has a scorching and tormenting heat to wicked men, and fills them with burning malice and envy, Rev 11:5; and, through the corruption of human nature, is the occasion of contention and discord, for which reason Christ calls it fire, Luk 12:49; and indeed it has different effects on different objects, as fire, which hardens some things and softens others; see Co2 2:16; moreover, it may be compared to fire for its purifying, separating, and trying nature: as fire purifies gold and silver, and separates the dross, and tries the metal, and shows it what it is; so the Gospel tries men's principles, and discovers what they are, and separates one from another: and also for its consuming nature; it opposes, weakens, and burns up the worst in man, his lusts and corruptions, which it teaches him to deny; and the best in man, all his holiness and righteousness he depended upon; and it burns up the chaff of false doctrine and human inventions before mentioned. and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? to which the heart of man may be compared, being hardened by sin, confirmed in it; destitute of spiritual life; stupid and senseless; stubborn and inflexible; on which no impressions are made, and is impenitent and inflexible; see Zac 7:12; now the word of the Lord, in the hand of the Spirit, is a means of breaking such hard hearts, and taking away the Obduracy and hardness of them; there is a legal contrition of it, through the law part of the word, by which there is a knowledge of sin, and the soul is wounded with a sense of it, and sore broken, but without any view of pardon, righteousness, and salvation by Christ; and there is an evangelical contrition or brokenness of heart, through the Gospel part of the word, by means of which the stony heart is not only broken, but melted and dissolved into true evangelical repentance for sin, through the discoveries of a Saviour bruised and broken for its sin, and through a view of free and full pardon by his blood, and justification by his righteousness. Now the word is only an instrument; it is not the efficient cause of all this; as a hammer is but an instrument, and a passive one, can do nothing of itself; it must be taken up and used by a powerful hand, or it can do no execution; what is a hammer without a hand? so the Gospel is only an instrument in the hand of, he Lord; but when he takes it into his own hand, and strikes with it, it will break the hardest heart in pieces, and make a stony heart a heart of flesh, Eze 36:26.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:29 The Lord’s word has power, like fire, to destroy false prophecies. It would smash the seemingly impregnable fortress of Jerusalem like a mighty hammer.