Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
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| Simile | Parallel |
|---|---|
| A Hammer is a fit instrument to break rocks, and beat stones in pieces | The Word of God is prepared by the Almighty, a fit means to break in pieces the stony, and rocky hearts of sinners. |
| A Hammer can do nothing of itself without the hand that uses it. | The Word of God cannot of itself break in pieces the sinner’s heart: God must use it by the hand of the Spirit, if ever it accomplish that for which he sent it. |
| According to the strength, design, and wisdom of the workman, a Hammer doth effect this or that. | So according to the design, wisdom, and strength the Holy Ghost is please to put forth upon the heart of a sinner, is the nature of the work that is effected or accomplished thereby. |
| A Hammer is not only a fit instrument to break things in pieces withal; but also to drive home nails, and to clench and fasten them also. | So the Word of God in the hand of the Spirit is very useful to drive home and fasten (1.) the nails of conviction: (2.) To drive home and fasten precepts; (3.) To drive home and fasten promises. God is the great Master of assemblies, who fastens the words of the wise as goads and nails. (Ecclesiastes 12:11The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
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Inferences
- Examine Yourselves: have you experienced the word to be like a hammer?
- Have you been broken in pieces by it? Have you been under grief and trouble for your sins?
- Are you broken off from your sins?
- Are your hearts soft?
- Hath the word and Spirit of God fastened convictions so upon you, that you cannot get free of them? Do they abide like a nail in a sure place? Have the precepts of God in like manner been drove home, that you cannot rest till you have submitted to them? Have promises been so fastened, as that you do believe, and stedfastly apply them to your own souls?
- If you would have the word of God break your hard and rocky hearts, then,
- Consider the severity of it, touching the threatenings thereof, Galatians 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
See All..., Mark 16:16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
See All..., Luke 13:5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
See All... - Consider what hath been executed upon such who break the word.
- Adam
- The old world
- Korah and his company
- Those who broke Moses’ law (Hebrews 10:28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
See All...) - Consider the truth of the word (Matthew 5:18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
See All..., Job 36:17But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
See All..., Luke 21:22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
See All...) - The power and authority of the word.
- The torment of the damned
- Read often, and consider the sufferings of Christ
- Cry to God that he would be pleased to take the hammer of the word into the hand of the Spirit, and smite your rocky hearts.