Romans 15:4 tells us that what we read in the Old Testament was written both to instruct us and to give us hope. Many of us do not spend a great deal of time studying or reading through those 39 books. We spend most of our time in the New Testament… Remember, though, for the writers of the New Testament, the Scriptures were those 39 books. So we should be instructed. We do need do so with care. We need to make sure that we do not take ideas out of context nor should we allegorize what we read.
That being said, and attempting to follow my own advice, look at Psalm 149:6. I was stunned by this passage. The combination of high praise and a two-edged sword was striking. When we imagine worship, at least when I imagine worship, I think more in terms of guitars than swords.
That terminology reoccurs in Hebrews 4:12. There the Word of God is referred to as a two edged sword. In Nehemiah 4:17, those building the wall with Nehemiah are portrayed as carrying their work out with one hand while holding a sword in the other. In Ephesians 6:10 – 20, where we read about the full armor of God, we read that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit.
It makes me wonder if the writer of Hebrews and Paul had Psalm 149:6 and Nehemiah 4:17 in mind when they penned those passages. What it does bring to mind is the centrality of the Word of God in all aspects of our experience as believers. Whether in worship, work, or ministry, the Word should be in one hand while we are doing worship, work, or ministry with the other.
That being said, and attempting to follow my own advice, look at Psalm 149:6. I was stunned by this passage. The combination of high praise and a two-edged sword was striking. When we imagine worship, at least when I imagine worship, I think more in terms of guitars than swords.
That terminology reoccurs in Hebrews 4:12. There the Word of God is referred to as a two edged sword. In Nehemiah 4:17, those building the wall with Nehemiah are portrayed as carrying their work out with one hand while holding a sword in the other. In Ephesians 6:10 – 20, where we read about the full armor of God, we read that the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit.
It makes me wonder if the writer of Hebrews and Paul had Psalm 149:6 and Nehemiah 4:17 in mind when they penned those passages. What it does bring to mind is the centrality of the Word of God in all aspects of our experience as believers. Whether in worship, work, or ministry, the Word should be in one hand while we are doing worship, work, or ministry with the other.
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