Words of the Word

Ron Stieglitz

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781639039319
• Topic: Teología y religión
• Subtopic: Educación cristiana

Words are important to us in many ways as we communicate with each other, but they can also be less than clear. A word from a foreign language inserted in a novel for emphasis or scientific and technical terms might be baffling and require a dictionary or Google Search. If you have ever listened to a Sunday morning sermon, heard a reading by a lector, sung a hymn, engaged in a Bible study, or read a passage in the Bible and realized that you don't have a clue what a certain word means, you are not alone. Other times, we carelessly read over a word without comprehending the deeper scriptural meaning because it is familiar; we've seen or heard it many times. Frequently used words such as hope, fear, peace, joy, and, yes, even worship and amen are not fully appreciated or understood in the context of Scripture. God's Word is full of important words; after all, by his grace, a key word, they lead us to faith and salvation. Some have precise definitions, whereas others convey entire rich concepts or ideas, and some can be confusing if not intimidating especially to new Christians. There are words of comfort, action, power, but, best of all, eternal life.

The goal of this book is to assist the person in the pew on Sunday morning, in a Bible class, or engaged in personal study, not only new Christians but also long-time adherents, to better understand and appreciate the words that they hear or read. It can serve as a review for veteran Christians looking to develop a deeper understanding of their faith and a primer for new Christians who are trying to build a foundation for theirs.

The Last Word

Come, Now is the Time to Worship.

—Brian Doerksen

During a Veterans Day ceremony at our local Lutheran High School, the speaker gave a thought-provoking message on military service, our national anthem, and patriotic words and actions and how they connect to our faith. One of his major points was that we too often do not listen to or appreciate the words of our national anthem. Those words are stirring because they relate the author’s unease and dread as he awaits the dawn to determine if the fort has survived and if its flag is still flying and his relief when it becomes clearly visible. The words have a deeper meaning to the men and women who have stepped up to serve and defend our country with their actions. Their actions demonstrate love and devotion to our nation. Words and actions both matter! Similarly, we frequently do not listen carefully to or appreciate fully the words of the Word. Those words should have a deeper meaning than merely academic interest to us as Christians. Those words are stirring as well yet at the same time comforting. They prompt our actions. It is not that our actions have any saving merit; we know that is not the case. On the contrary, they reflect in our lives our love of and devotion to our Savior God who by grace first loved us. Words and actions both matter!

The last word has not been written or spoken yet. The beautiful song by Brian Doerksen warns, “One day every tongue will confess You are God. One day every knee will bow.” The apostle John states, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). There will be more said when the Lord returns. In the meanwhile, John also wrote, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21). These are indeed consoling words from the Word. God’s promises in his Word are sure: “Forever, O lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89). Meanwhile, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

References

Kinnaman, Scot A., ed. Lutheranism 101. St. Louis, Missouri: Concordia Publishing House, 2010.

Lockyer, Herbert, Sr., ed. Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.

Luecke, Geo. Distinctive doctrines and customs of the Lutheran Church. St. Louis, Missouri: Concordia Publishing House.

Mueller, Wayne D. Justification: How God Forgives (The People’s Bible Teachings). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Northwestern Publishing House, third printing, 2016.

The Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Lutheran Service Book. St. Louis, Missouri: Concordia Publishing House, 2006.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Crossway, 2001.

Wolfmueller, Bryan. Has American Christianity Failed? St. Louis, Missouri: Concordia Publishing House, 2016.

Appendix 1

The Ten Commandments

The LORD gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai and wrote them on two stone tablets (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:5–21). It is not known exactly what God wrote on each tablet, most commentators propose the following division of the text. The first tablet addresses man’s relationship with God. The second tablet addresses man’s relationship with other men. God did not intend for the commandments to be a set of laws by which salvation could be earned. These commandments show us our sin and our need for a savior. Although they were issued more than four thousand years ago, they are still relevant today as we strive to lead a Christian and God-pleasing life.

The First Tablet

You shall have no other gods.

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.

Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy.

The summary of the first table is stated in the Old Testament as, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

The Second Table

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

The summary of the second table is stated in the Old Testament as, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18).

In the New Testament, Jesus answers a question about which is the greatest commandment saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

Appendix 2

Israel: Nation or Man?

The name Israel appears often in the Bible and is used in at least three different ways. Perhaps the most familiar is in reference to the Jewish or Hebrew nation, the chosen people of God. However, it is also the name of a specific Old Testament Patriarch and the name of one of the two nations formed when the Hebrew people divided after the death of Solomon.

God changed the name of the patriarch Jacob to Israel after he wrestled all night with a mysterious man. At the time, Jacob feared an impending confrontation with his estranged brother Esau. He was engaged in a spiritual struggle of prayer that manifested itself in a physical wrestling match with God. As dawn was breaking, an injured Jacob locked his arms around the man and would not let go until he received a blessing. The man then blessed Jacob and changed his name apparently to reinforce the lesson he was taught, that is, to hold fast to the LORD in all things (Genesis 32:22–32).

God had promised to make the descendants of the patriarchs into a great nation and to give them a land of their own. He renewed that promise to Jacob and sanctioned the name change. “God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel. And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you” (Genesis 35:9–12). This being the Old Testament nation of a united Israel.

After the death of the great King Solomon, his son Rehoboam became king. He followed bad advice, mishandled the transfer of power, which led most of the ten tribes living in the north to revolt; and the kingdom was divided. The split resulted in the formation of two separate kingdoms: Judah in the south and Israel in the north. “So Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah” (1 Kings 12:16–17). That situation remained until each was conquered, and the Hebrew nations ceased to exist as an independent entity.

Appendix 3

Angels

Angels are an order of spiritual beings created by God before the creation of the wor...