God's Hammer

"The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23: 28,29)

God's word is likened to many things. In the above passage it is compared to three things - wheat, fire, and to a hammer. Paul wrote:

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4: 12)

Here is added another metaphor for the word of God - it is like a sword. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, besides mentioning the Christian's breastplate, shield, and helmet, he mentions "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6: 17). These are the Christian's "weapons." So wrote Paul again, saying: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." (II Corinthians 10: 4) Our weapons are spiritual in nature. Muslims may fight with the carnal sword, but Christians fight with a spiritual sword.

How is God's word like a "hammer"? one that "breaks the rocks in pieces"? God's word, when empowered by the Holy Spirit, is able to break the "hard" and "stony heart" of the sinner. "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 11: 19) And again: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." (36: 26) Paul speaks of the "hardness and impenitent heart" of sinners (Romans 2: 5).

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34: 18)

"I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart." (Psalm 38: 8)

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalm 51: 17)

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." (Psalm 147: 3)

The word of God is a means for breaking the hard and stony heart of sinners. He must destroy the old heart in order to replace it with a new one.

"Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth." (Hosea 6:5)

There are various kinds of hammers that carpenters and masons use in building and various kinds of hammers that those who sculptor out of rock and stone make use of to create their masterpieces. These hammers are used to "chip away" in order that something good, useful and beautiful may be created. God's ministers are skilled in the use of these hammers. God uses them, in their preaching of the word of God, to accomplish important work. God's word both destroys and creates. God's hammer! How powerful! How effective!

Friend, what effect has God's word had on you and on your heart? It can either be the means of your eternal destruction or of your eternal salvation. Oh that his word might smash and break into pieces your hard and stony heart in order that he might make of you a new man with a new heart!