The Word of the Lord | Carolyn E. Jacobs

We’re taking a deeper dive into Jesus’s name for this week – The Word. The image above is a poor illustration of Revelation 1 and 19. The AI bot was shaking its head, saying, “I don’t think you want a sword sticking out of his mouth. That’s just weird.”

No argument there.

I tried to find a picture of a stained glass window I saw once that depicted Jesus on a horse with a sword sticking out of his mouth. My search didn’t turn up what I wanted. Just as well. It was weird. The facts remain: John saw Jesus with a sword sticking out of his mouth. We will, too. And we won’t think it’s weird when we actually see it. There’s so much we won’t be able to wrap our brains around this side of heaven.

Nevertheless, Jesus is the Word, and the Word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword.

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. – Revelation 19:13,15

In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two–edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. -Revelation 1:16

For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two–edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Furthermore, that Word made many Old Testament appearances – see below.

The Word of the Lord came to Abram – Genesis 15

The Word of the Lord Came to Samuel – 1 Samuel 15

The Word of the Lord came to Nathan – 2 Samuel 7

The Word of the Lord came to Gad the Seer – 2 Samuel 24

The Word of the Lord came to Solomon – 1 Kings 6

The Word of the Lord came to an unnamed and disobedient prophet – 1 Kings 13

The Word of the Lord came to Jehu – 1 Kings 16

The Word of the Lord came to Elijah – 1 Kings 17, 18,19, 21

The Word of the Lord came to Isaiah – 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38

The Word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, the man of God – 2 Chronicles 11, 12

The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1, 2, 13, 18, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42, 43 (some chapters have multiple appearances)

The Word of the Lord came to Ezekiel – Ezekiel 1, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 (some chapters have multiple appearances)

The Word of the Lord came to Jonah – Jonah 1, 3

The Word of the Lord came to Haggai – Haggai 1, 2

The Word of the Lord came to Zechariah – Zechariah 1, 4, 7

When the Word of the Lord came to the prophets, did he do it as a Christophany? Maybe! It’s fun to think about. Chad Bird examines that possibility here.

This dabar of the Lord is not a disembodied voice. He ushered Abram outside. Later, this dabar will touch Jeremiah’s mouth (Jer. 1:4-9). This dabar would visit OT prophets and speak with them. They would not only hear but see the word of the Lord. – Chad Bird

It’s something I’d wondered about as I studied Jeremiah. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one to consider it.

In thinking about Jesus coming to these prophets, touching them, talking to them, it’s easy to fall into envy.

Man, if only Jesus would come talk to me.

Hang on.

He’s promised to never leave us or forsake us. We have his written word. We have 24/7 communication through prayer. If we know him, the Holy Spirit indwells us. And we have the sure hope that we’ll be with him forever.