“The Word Of The Lord” – 2/1/25

 

The phrase “the word of the Lord” appears at least 255 times in the KJV, including in Jonah 1:1 and 3:1. What does this phrase teach us?

 

First and foremost, “the word of the Lord” is authoritative. As we read Jonah 1:1 and 3:1, we see that it is not just a suggestion God made to Jonah but a command. Jonah was told to go to Nineveh and preach God’s truth to these people. God expected Jonah to warn the people of their sins and the consequences of their wrongdoings. This is further explained and seen in Jonah 3. “The word of the Lord” has the authority to demand certain words and actions from us. It is not a mere suggestion but a divine command that demands our obedience!

 

By using the phrase “the word of the Lord,” we know this was not made up by Jonah (or anyone else). Despite claims to the contrary, the Bible does not have a human author (II Pet 1:20-21)! Yes, men wrote God’s word down, as Peter noted, but these men did not speak of their own opinions or experiences. They wrote what God wanted written (II Tim. 3:16-17). For example, John, Isaiah, and others were told to write down what they saw and heard (Rev. 1:11, 19, 14:13; Isa. 30:8; Jer. 30:1-2; etc.). They did not write their thoughts but wrote and taught God’s truth (Jn. 17:17). God expected Jonah to do the same thing when he got to Nineveh.

 

When we read that “the word of the Lord” was to go to Nineveh, we learn something about the love of God for those people. Sometimes, folks are left with the impression that God really wasn’t interested in the Gentiles throughout the Old Testament days. It is as if God ignored them for 4000 years until the Lord came to earth. Books like Jonah, Isaiah, Daniel, and others make it clear that God was interested in the souls of the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Had God not been interested in their salvation, then why send Jonah? Why not let them die in their sins? God wanted these Gentiles to repent, and His “word” ensured that folks knew what He wanted and how they could be right in His sight.

 

“The word of the Lord” will do the same for us today! The Bible is not a mere historical document. It is more than that! God’s word is as authoritative as it has always been (I Pet. 4:11). It tells us what to do and warns us of wrong (II Tim. 3:16-17). It leads us in the right way so that we might live a life pleasing in the sight of God (Psa. 119:105). Have you listened to and obeyed “The Word of the Lord”?

 

– Jarrod M. Jacobs