"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Ps. 119:105). In past Israel Teaching Letters, I have written about the Fire of God, the Water of God, the Breath of God and the Face of God.

In this letter, I want to write about the Word of God, which is probably the most important attribute of God, as it is the foundation of our faith, as Christians or Jews.

Throughout history, both Jews and Christians have honored the Word of God. The concept of the authority of God's Word is found from Genesis to Revelation. As the Bible was being created, God's Word was spoken and dynamic. Now that it is codified, the term "Word of God" is synonymous with the Bible. However, there is much to understand about the Word of God, which is alive and dynamic as we apply the Bible, the Word of God, to our lives.

In Hebrew, the root for "word" is "davar", which carries the idea that some thought or power is "behind" or underlying the word. Therefore, acts or deeds associated with words also have to be taken into account. Why is the word being spoken and for what purpose?

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the God of Creation makes Himself and His will known by His Word. This means that the biblical religion is primarily a religion of the ear, rather than the eye. However, this does not mean that biblical religion is intrinsically verbal or abstract. (Zondervan, Vol 5, p. 957). It is very real and tangible, as it plays out in our lives each day.

God's Word Is Creative

When God speaks, things happen, and His Word accomplishes what it sets out to perform. God says through Isaiah, "So is My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty (void), but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isa. 55:11).

From the opening chapter of the Bible in Genesis, we see how God created the entire universe by His spoken Word. In Gen 1:3, we read: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." The phrase, "And God said," is found throughout this chapter, and when God spoke, there was a direct action that fulfilled His Word as creation unfolded before Him. In this case, God's Word is not just a part of history, but creates history. In fact, the whole history of Israel further demonstrates this fact.

God's Word Is Instructive And Prophetic

God not only creates by His Word, but He gives instruction and direction to man so that we can know how to live before Him and be blessed. God uses prophets to do this. In the Hebrew Scriptures, God calls the prophet to this work (e.g., Isa. 6; Jer. 1; Eze. 1, etc.). He is the person through whom the Word of the Lord comes. He received his revelation from God as he heard God speak to him, or through dreams and visions. Then, the message was delivered by proclamation, often confirmed by signs and wonders or a miracle.

At times, the prophet foretells deliverance or judgment, confronting man with a solemn warning or an unconditional command. His words are the Word of the God of grace and righteousness from whom all blessings come and to whom an account must be rendered. For the prophet of God, the message is often so strong, it becomes a burden that he is compelled to deliver. He is often a most unpopular character, because people don't want to hear that they have to change their ways. He swallows the message like a book, so that it is part of his inner being. It is not his own word or a matter of religious insight, it is the Word of God that must be given. Even though it brings him ridicule and sometimes suffering, and he longs to be silent, it is like a fire in his bones and he has to speak (Zondervan, Vol 5, p. 957).

Listen to Jeremiah: "I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the Word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. But, if I say, 'I will not mention Him or speak any more in His Name,' His Word is in my heart like a burning fire, shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot" (Jer. 20:7b-9).

The prophet knows that whether the people listen to him or not, the word has to be proclaimed, and when the word comes to pass, they will know a prophet was among them (Jer. 2:3ff).

Moses is the prototype of all prophets. We can clearly see the interaction between him and God and how he delivered God's message to the Children of Israel, even when it was hard to do so. The Ten Commandments were given to the world through Moses. In fact, the whole Torah, the first five books of the Bible, called the Law of Moses, are instructions for an abundant life. They were spoken by God to Moses, which he then delivered to the people. Deuteronomy 28 is a conclusive chapter offering the Children of Israel blessing and cursing, dependant on how they followed the Word of God he had delivered:

"If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God ... However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all His commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you" (Dt. 28:1-2; 15).

God desires that we have an abundant life, so the prophet often was given a specific, timely word for one of Israel's leaders or to the people so as to redirect their self-destructive ways. The result of this Word from God, if received and applied, is forgiveness and salvation; and if ignored, judgment. We see Samuel taking God's message first to Eli (I Samuel 3) and later to Saul (I Samuel 8-12). We see this tradition carried on by Nathan, Elijah, and Micaiah.

From Moses to Amos, we see the prophets writing, "The Word of the Lord came to me..." and they then deliver God's message. The true prophet of God proclaims the true Word of God, which comes to pass. However, the false prophet does not speak for God, but speaks only human words, which will be discovered false. The penalty for being a false prophet is death.

God said to Moses: "I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. If anyone does not listen to My words that the prophet speaks in My name, I Myself will call him to account. But a prophet who presumes to speak in My name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death. You may say to yourselves, 'How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?"' If what a prophet proclaims in the Name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him" (Dt. 18:17-22).

If such a penalty were meted out today in Charismatic and Pentecostal circles, where prophecy is accepted, it would cut down on all the empty prophecies that never come to pass. Today, there are many "prophets" who emotionally speak out of their head and not from God, as proven when their proclamations are not fulfilled. If they were stoned as a false prophet, this would cause many to take this gift and calling more seriously, thus honoring the God of the Universe and not discrediting His Holy Name.

Attributes Of The Word Of God

The most important attribute of God's Word is truth. God's Word carries with it a sense of faithfulness and reliability. What God says is true. If what He says is in reference to the future, there is no doubt it will come to pass.

Scripture tells us that what comes out of one's mouth is a reflection of what is in one's heart: "For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him" (Mt. 12:33-34). Since the principle is true, and we know that God is righteous, faithful and loving, then His Word is a reflection of His heart and nature. It is given to draw us into a life of righteousness, faithfulness and love towards God and our fellow man. God's Word was given to man for our redemption and new life.

Sometimes God's Word seems hard. That is because it calls us to live a righteous life that is often contrary to the less than perfect lives we live. For this reason, God's instructions, also called the "Law," have been viewed by some as negative and restrictive. In fact, most Christians would rather focus on "grace." However, the Jewish people do not see the Law as bondage and heavy, but rather as God's gracious instruction to His people so that they can live the abundant life He intended. It is a way of life that is honored and revered. Interestingly, God's chesed, or grace, is found through the Hebrew Scriptures, while the New Testament has an abundance of instructive precepts, or "laws," that need to be followed. Listen to the words of Yeshua (Jesus):

"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt. 5:18-20).

In addition to Law, the Word of God is also referred to as statutes, precepts, commandments, judgments and ordinances. Listen to how the Psalmist describes the Word of God and the wonderful things it does for our lives when we pursue it:

"The Law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
Giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
Giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
Enduring forever.
The ordinances of the Lord are sure
And altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
In keeping them there is great reward."
(Ps. 19:7-11).

One of the most descriptive chapters of the Bible extolling the virtues of the Word of God is Psalm 119. It really shows us the blessings of following the Word of God.

The attributes it describes are:

1. The Word stands in heaven and is eternal (v. 89).

2. It is a light on the path (v. 105).

3. It keeps you pure (v. 9).

4. It gives life (v. 25, 93, 144, 159).

5. It gives strength (v. 28).

6. It gives understanding (v. 169).

7. Its sum is truth (v. 160).

8. It gives freedom (v. 45).

9. It is hidden in the heart (v. 11).

10. It gives peace (v. 165).

11. It brings joy (v. 111).

12. It is sweet to the taste of the righteous (v. 103).

13. It may be trusted (v. 42, 86).

14. It is a refuge and a shield (v. 114).

15. Hope can be found in it (vv. 43, 49, 74, 147).

16. It demands obedience (v. 4, 8, 56, 57, 60).

17. It brings as much delight as finding a great treasure (v. 14, 162).

18. The tongue of the righteous will speak of it (v. 172).

In the end, God's Word is the object, not only of faith and hope, but also of love. This is why the Psalmist can shout, "Oh, how I love your law!" (v. 97).

Be Ye Doers Of The Word

Throughout the Bible, there is a major emphasis on obeying the Word of God and "doing" it. It is not enough to merely hear the Word and reap its benefits. You have to actually practice what is preached. To merely hear it, is like receiving a beautifully wrapped present and just looking at it. It is beautiful, for sure, but to gain the benefit of it, you must open the gift and use what is inside.

Listen to what James says, "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word, but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does." (Jas. 1:22-25).

The verb "to do" in both Greek and Hebrew has much more intensity than simply being busy. The meaning carries with it the idea of observing, practice, abiding, and repeated and habitual performance.

In Jewish tradition, there is great emphasis placed on lilmod v'laasot, which means "to study and to do (observe)."

Rabbi David Hoffmann of Berlin (1843-1921) wrote, "The Torah of Israel is not only a song and rhetoric which one studies only to understand the religion of Israel. Rather, the purpose of Jewish religious learning is lilmod v'laasot, to study and to observe, and one who learns and does not observe, it would be better if he had not learned."

It has been pointed out to me by an orthodox Jewish friend that when two Jews begin to discuss their faith, they discuss how they observe and perform the law to its minutest detail. However, when two Christians talk about matters of faith, they are more often discussing what each believes about a matter of doctrine, e.g., what do we believe about baptism, communion, the rapture, life after death, etc. Whereas Christianity has been distilled into a matter of creeds and formulas about what we believe, Judaism has continued in the biblical tradition, which is based on the "doing" or practicing the Laws of God.

The Laws of God should be seen in a very positive light. Even the Hebrew word which we translate as "law," halacha, literally means, "walk." In other words, the Hebraic view of the Law of God is more than a set of restrictive requirements to be fulfilled. Rather, they are the very Path of Life, or Way of Life, which God lovingly gave to His people so that they could walk in His abundant life. Part of the chosenness of the Jewish people was so they could live out and practice God's Word and receive His blessing in doing so. In this way, the nations of the world could see the blessedness of serving the One true God by observing the lives of His covenant people. Hopefully, this would draw them away from paganism to belief in the Lord God of Israel and His ways.

Listen to what Moses said to the people of Israel, "Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.... Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' ... Teach them to your children and to their children after them" (Dt. 4:1-2,6,9b).

The Jewish people took the practice of God's Word very seriously, including the admonition to teach their children, so that God's Word would also positively affect the community of Israel and carry on into future generations.

God said through Moses, "Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth" (Dt. 11:18-21). In Numbers 15:37-41, we read God's admonition to the Jewish people to put tassels, tzitziot, on the four corners of their garments: "You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God" (vv. 39-40).

The practical expression of these verses resulted in some tangible manifestations in the life of Israel. The Deuteronomy verses caused the Jewish people to create phylacteries, a box with Scripture that is worn on their forehead and leather straps that wrap around their arms to their hands. They created mezuzot, which are oblong boxes that hold Scripture and are affixed to their doorposts so that they can remember God's Word on their going out and coming in. The Numbers verses resulted in them tying the tassels into a series of 613 knots to represent the 613 Laws of Moses - 248 affirmations and 365 prohibitions. In this way, they would see them and it would remind them to keep the Word of God by practicing it, not just wearing it as a garment. These practices would be like a Christian wearing a large Bible around his neck. It would cause him to remember who and what he represents as he speaks and acts in the world around him.

Fortunately, the evangelical Christian approach to Scripture in the 20th century has been more eager to rediscover the message of the Word of God in order to "do" it. Bible-believing Christians are more interested in following the Bible closely as a way of new life and are not just content to be mere "church-goers" who once recited some doctrinal creed at a confirmation service in their youth. Today, many Christians are making every effort to become true "doers of the Word" and not just hearers.

It has been said that true religion involves not only hearing, but doing. It is deed over creed, action over profession, which is also the usual Jewish approach to religion, morals and life. It is the biblical approach. Yeshua (Jesus) said, "Blessed, rather, are those that hear the Word of God and obey it." Paul elaborates on this in Romans 2:13, "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous."

The Word Of God In The New Testament

In the New Testament, Christians find an additional expression of the Word of God.

Yeshua Himself is called the Word of God: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of men" (Jn. 1:1-4). Israel is a chosen people. Chosen for what? They are chosen to bring forth and represent the Word of God. Paul tells us that they are "loved on account of the Patriarchs," (Rom. 11:28b).

It was the Jewish people who were chosen to

1. live the Word of God as a testimony to the nations;

2. to record the Word, which produced the Bible, and

3. be the human channel for the Messiah, which bought our salvation.

We Gentiles would be worshipping totem poles had it not been for the faithfulness of Israel to fulfill their calling in the redemption of the world. They tenaciously held onto faith in God over the centuries, which sustained them as a people, even to this present day. The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). Again, the Word of God is the source.

For Christians, Yeshua is the model for living out God's Word. Of Himself, Yeshua stressed, "Think not that I came to destroy the Law and the Prophets; I came not to destroy them, but to fulfill them" (Matt. 5:17). He was the epitome of the Word of God in that He fulfilled the Law of God completely. He did not sin and therefore became the example of righteous living for us all to emulate. We are called to follow Him and preach the Word of God to the world who needs God. From the time of Yeshua forward, while the rhema Word of God came to individuals as it did in the Hebrew Scriptures, the emphasis in the New Testament is on preaching the Word of God, which included the words of Yeshua and His teachings. He equated His words with God's Word when He said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away" (Mk. 13:31). In John, Yeshua said, "I tell you the truth, if a man keeps My Word, he will never see death" (Jn. 8:16). In other words, Yeshua's Words are eternal truth and life-giving, which would concur with His equation, "I and my Father are One" (Jn. 10:30). The Hebrew Scriptures are also authoritative for Christians and to be followed. Confirming that the words of the Hebrew Scripture are from God, Peter says, "For the prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit" (II Pet. 1:21). Timothy tells us, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Tim. 3:16). He also exhorted us: "Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15).

Let me remind you that there was no New Testament at this time, and Peter and Timothy were referring to what Christians commonly call the Old Testament, as though it is somehow old and outdated and useless as a guide for our spiritual walk with the Lord. Also, because Peter and Timothy were Jews, we can see in their message an emphasis on the study of Scripture and its application so as to truly be consecrated to the Lord.

Paul reminds us, as he wrote to the Corinthians, "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Messiah, the result of our ministry, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts" (II Cor. 3:1-3). What Paul is pointing out is that the changed lives of these Corinthians by the application of the Word of God was testimony of the power of the God's Word that Paul was preaching. The use of the metaphor of "not with ink," and "not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts," conveys the idea that the written Word of God is only really fulfilled when it is applied within and fulfills its redemptive purposes. He did not need letters of recommendation because the world would see the results in the changed lives of the Corinthians.

The Word Reflected In You And Me
Psalm 19:11 summarizes the blessing of God's Word as expressed in laws, precepts, ordinances, judgments and decrees which are to be followed. The Psalmist concludes, "By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

If the Law of God was such a burden, then how could the Psalmist speak of them in such magnanimous terms? Obviously, he is writing out of personal experience and lives in the ecstasy of the abundant life he experiences in following the Word of God

In our day, there are many believers who suffer from all kinds of anxiety, mental and physical illness, phobias, and insecurities. Today in some of our churches, many sermon messages sound more like self-help seminars than preaching from the Word of the Lord. We don't need a pep talk from the pulpits. What we need is a true conversion of our hearts that gives us God's peace. This will only take place when we are immersed in God's Word, both hearing it and then performing it. If we want the peace of God, let's listen to Paul:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - do (put it into practice). And the God of peace will be with you" (Phil. 4:4-9).

In other words, in order for us to achieve the abundant life and God's peace, we must be habitually practicing God's Word in our lives. After all, the cares, temptations and problems of the world are coming at us daily. These things will rob us of God's joy and burden us with anxiety that will defeat us, if we allow it. That is why we must "think on" that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, as we "do" the Word of the Lord. Yeshua says in Matthew 7:24-27 that "everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." We know the rest of the story. When the rains came, that house remained. But, the man who hears the words of the Lord and does not practice them has his house built on sand, which is washed away in the storm.

Each of us needs to examine our lives and ask the Lord to show us all the flaws that need to be fixed. Then relax and know that in Him, you can get them fixed. He wants to do that for us. All we have to do is be honest with ourselves and willing to change. Read Psalm 139 and rejoice in its conclusion: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Ps. 139:23-24).

Remember this promise, "I can do everything through Him (God) who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). We are not alone, but we are in the presence of a loving God and can know His Word that contains ultimate Truth. God chooses to take us by the hand and lead us into His paths of righteousness so that we can live the abundant life He chose for us to live. All we have to do is respond, take Him by the hand, and walk in His ways.

Bibliography: The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopaedia of the Bible, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976).

With appreciation from: