Bible Interpretation, Student Workbook, SW05

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B I B L E I N T E R P R E T A T I O N

Deut. 32.4 - The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he. Exod. 34.6 - The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Ps. 98.3 - He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Ps. 100.5 - For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Isa. 25.1 - O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. John 6.63 - It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 1 Pet. 1.23-25 - Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; [24] for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, [25] but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. Add to this modest list literally dozens of Scripture on the faithfulness of God and you essentially come full circle on the claim of Isaiah 55. God compares the certainty of his Word’s fulfillment, both in terms of prediction and promise, to the organic power of the rain from heaven, that once mixed with the seed and the earth, brings forth abundance fruit. God essentially says that his Word is as productive, certain, successful, and potent as the rain mixing with the elements of the earth. To what do we count this certainty of effect, this promise of fruitfulness and prosperity associated with the covenantal Word of God? It is rooted in his character, in his person, in his veracity as the faithful God, the God who cannot lie (Titus 1.2), whose Word is certain and sure, forever settled in the heavens. David sang of God’s faithfulness and the reliability of his Word in Psalm 89: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. [2] For I said, ‘Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness’” (Ps. 89.1-2). In this text God assures us that his Word is true. Because he is a faithful God, his Word will accomplish what God determines, and prosper in the thing, the affair, the task he appoints for it.

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