Never underestimate the power of words

Genesis 11; Matthew 10; Ezra 10; Acts 10

An odd thing about sin is it can unite people, not to do good but to carry out evil plans. Gangs, underworld groups, some politicians, even bullies on the playground will get together to carry out their intentions. It began early in human history in a plain in the land of Shinar.

Then the people said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” (Genesis 11:4–7)

God knew their intentions were anti-God and sinful. They were supposed to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1) He also knew what to do about their sin. What the people considered their greatest strength — unity — He swiftly destroyed by confusing their language. What they considered their greatest fear — scattering — happened naturally to them. What they desired most — to make a name for themselves — ironically came to pass, for they became known as “Babel” — the word means confusion. This judgment shows up even in today’s news, not just in that area but throughout the world as confusion seems to reign.

In Ezra’s time, the people of God fell under judgment too. They had intermarried with pagans which God had forbidden. However, they had a different response to their sin than those in Shinar; they repented (Ezra 10:1) We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Forgiveness is there, but like any gift, it must be received. The people in Ezra’s time reversed their behavior and God blessed them.

Much later, the Word of God, His very language, became flesh. Words and language gave us the good news: faith in Jesus Christ reverses the curse on sin. It no longer needs to unite people against God and divide people against one another. Here are the words of Jesus as He sent His disciples to tell others of God’s plan:

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:16–22)

Right away, the early church experienced a reversal of Babel when the Word gave His followers the ability to speak in tongues or other languages so that thousands of visitors to Jerusalem could understand the Gospel. He gave Peter words to say that united listeners as they put their faith in Him. Peter spoke to Jews and Gentiles and God blessed his words that told how, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Peter explained Jesus’ death and resurrection and the good news, “And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:34–43)

Language and words have the power to unite or divide. Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Sinful, toxic words can unite people against God and divide them against one another. God’s words can unite people in Christ even as they separate us from sin. All this is His gentle reminder: Elsie, put away crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. (Proverbs 4:24) How I talk marks whether I live in Christ who is the Word of God — or in confusion along with others on the plains of Shinar.

Living Water — what is that?

Our city has almost as many people teaching English as a third-world country. People come from many parts of the world to live and work here. They do their best to learn our customs and our language. For instance, my hubby has had engineers ask questions like, “Do I stand up when my boss comes into my office?”

Language can be a big barrier in both directions. English has many odd idioms and figures of speech. I remember a few of us talking to a man about the silly things we say, like, “Go jump in the lake” or “Don’t get your shirt in a knot.” Getting a grasp on these is a big challenge and a sense of humor is needed as well as patience.

Bible study requires an understanding of figures of speech too. For instance, in John 6, Jesus told those who followed Him . . . 

“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6:54–56)

Even those who knew Him struggled with that “hard saying” as they no doubt tried to figure out what it meant. Some still take it literally, which is also confusing.

Later, on the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37–39)

Clearly, He is using a figure of speech. How can living water flow out of a person’s heart? Yet the image is sharper if readers understand the significance of when and where it was presented. It was a Sabbath, the last feast day of the year. The remarkable ceremonies were joyous anyway, but particularly on the last day. Each day prior, the priest brought water in golden vessels from the stream of Siloah. This flowed under the temple-mountain. The priest solemnly poured it upon the altar. This day was the culmination when the words of Isaiah 12:3 were sung:

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)

This was a symbolical reference for God’s people. They anticipated God’s salvation and their joy was so ecstatic as this ceremony was performed — accompanied with sound of trumpets — that it used to be said, “Whoever had not witnessed it had never seen rejoicing at all.”

I can picture the crowds and the noise. Then I can imagine Jesus standing up and calling out to those who were thirsty for this water of salvation. He told them they could come to Him and receive it. His words included the joyful news that they would then become a source of this water for others. He used the ceremony to announce that the well of salvation was now available to them, not a literal well or literal water but, as John explains, He is talking about the Holy Spirit.

Tozer responds to these thoughts by saying every Christian can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit, even a “copious outpouring . . . in a measure far beyond that received at conversion” and beyond that enjoyed by most believers today.

Tozer also says I need to get this straight. No doubts. No misunderstanding the figure of speech. Doubt (and confusion) give the devil and open door to mess up my life. The Holy Spirit will not fill anyone who questions the possibility of being filled or doubts His promise.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, again this is one scene that I can imagine. You stand up amid the noise and excitement of this celebration with the greater news that the living water they have longed for has now arrived. All can come to You and be filled and satisfied — and even more, be a vessel for that water to flow to others. Those who understood what You were saying must have nearly burst with joy. “He’s here! He’s here!”

Thank You so much for language lessons, for images and figures of speech, for the revelation that You are the Messiah, the Savior of the world, the Living Water that has totally satisfied my thirsty soul!