Isaiah 49:2
He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver. (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7
Whereas Isaiah 49:1 indicates that the Messiah was purposely called by God for a specific mission, verse 2 tells us that the Messiah is qualified to accomplish his mission. The Messiah is the effective instrument of God much like a sharpened sword or polished arrow is effective in the hands of a warrior.
The Servant of Yahweh will be an effective spokesman. Isaiah says his mouth is like a sharpened sword symbolizing that his words will cut to the heart. The Servant will be a prophet unlike any the world has ever witnessed. His words will be the very words of God.
- “‘No one ever spoke the way this man does,’ the guards replied” (John 7:46)
- “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matt 7:28-29)
- “Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. ‘Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?’ they asked” (Matt 13:54)
- “Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words” (Luke 19:47-48)
- “The Jews there were amazed and asked, ‘How did this man get such learning without having been taught?’ (John 7:15)
Jesus clearly had a way with words. When he stepped on the scene to begin his ministry, he instantly gained a following because his words were different – not necessarily unique but powerful and wise. He taught with an authority that demanded attention. His words were life-giving and the people hung on every word he spoke. Jesus doesn’t just speak the words of God. He is the Word of God.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14). Jesus is the embodiment of the Word of God. Clearly this is beyond my understanding!
God’s Word is more than just words that are spoken. God’s Word has more power and can accomplish things that human words cannot do. The author of the book of Hebrews writes, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb 4:12). Human words cannot do this!
Jesus’ words carried a different weight. Jesus’ words had power over the spiritual realm: “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him’” (Mark 1:27).
Jesus’ words had power over viruses and diseases: “The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it…’ Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment” (Matt 8:8-9, 13).
Jesus’ words had power over nature: “He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, ‘Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him’” (Luke 8:24-25).
Jesus said, “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63). This is not symbolic language. Jesus’ words are literally full of the Spirt and life. The King James Version says it like this, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
The Greek word esti is the word translated here as “are” and it is the third person singular present indicative of the word eimi which we discussed just a few days ago meaning “I am.” Eimi is the word used when Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58).
Strong’s Lexicon says of the Greek word esti: “[It] anchors immutable truths about the divine nature. These declarations do more than describe; they establish what is perpetually true.” Furthermore, esti is the third person singular present indicative so Jesus is speaking about his words in the third person. Jesus’ words are not words like we understand them. They are alive. They are a being unto themselves. They are the Spirit of God.
One final thought. We cannot see the spiritual realm. Since Jesus words are the Spirit of God, it seems to me that if we could see the spiritual realm, Jesus’ words could be seen. They would look like the Spirit of God.
I don’t know what the Spirit of God looks like. We have been told by John the Baptist that when he baptized Jesus, the Spirit of God descended on Jesus “as a dove” (John 1:32). But I think this is the gentle, soft side of the Holy Spirit. I don’t think Jesus’ words would look like a dove.
The apostle John saw Jesus words a couple of times. Here’s what he says he saw:
“I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man… In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword” (Rev 1:12-13, 16).
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True… He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God… Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations” (Rev 19:11-15).
Jesus’ words are the very Spirit of God. The Spirit gives life (John 6:63). Jesus words are life. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). These same words live inside every one of us who call Jesus our Lord (1 John 2:12-14).
“The end of all things is near… If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:7-11).
Christ in the Old Testament 
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