Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 23

Verse 29

Jeremiah 23:29

WG Both the fire and hammer go together. The fire of God’s Word "that purges dross" and purifies the oar (of false teachinging) and the hammer that breaks the rock or oar that contains the metal (gold, silver, copper, iron), and prepares it for the fire.

23:23-29 The omnipresent and omniscient God exposes the prophets for their dreams, which led people into idolatry. Their dreams were chaff compared to God’s word, which is like nutritious wheat, and also like fire and -- . a hammer.

⁸⁴ tn Heb "Is not my message like a fire?" The rhetorical question expects a positive answer that is made explicit in the translation. The words "that purges dross" are not in the text but are implicit to the metaphor. They are supplied in the translation for clarity.

God’s Word Is A -- . HAMMER - Jeremiah 23:28-32

Introduction:

It is God’s Hammer

−It is an invincible power that never fails (1 Peter 1:23-25)

−It is designed to always accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11)

−The hammer is not in what a preacher says but in what God says (1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

It is God’s Hammer in our hands

−Let the hammer do the work (Romans 1:16)

−The hammer must be handled accurately (2 Timothy 2:15)

−The hammer must be handled appropriately (1 Peter 3:15)

−The hammer must be handled diligently (2 Timothy 2:15)

An Instrument of Destruction:
To Break Down

False teachings (Jeremiah 23:9-32 + 2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

−That take God’s Word & twist it (Jeremiah 23:30, Jeremiah 23:21; cf. 2 Peter 3:16)

−That interpose human wisdom in place of God’s Word (Jeremiah 23:31, Jeremiah 23:16-17, Jeremiah 23:21; cf. Galatians 1:6-10)

−That cause people to stray from God and go along with evil (Jeremiah 23:32, Jeremiah 23:13-14, Jeremiah 23:25-27; cf. Matthew 15:1-9, Matthew 15:13-14)

−That lead people to unauthorized worship (Jeremiah 23:13, Jeremiah 23:27; cf. Deuteronomy 12:1-14)

Hard hearts & stubborn wills (Ezekiel 3:1-11; Hebrews 3:7-15)

Manmade walls (Philemon 1:10-18; Ephesians 2:14-22)

The devil (Ephesians 6:10-18)

An Instrument of Construction:
To Build Up

A steadfast service (Jeremiah 23:22, Jeremiah 23:28)

A keen knowledge (Isaiah 28:9-13 ; Hebrews 5:12 - Hebrews 6:1)

A formidable faith (Romans 10:17)

A strong stability (Acts 20:32; Hebrews 10:36 -12:1)

A resolute resistance (Psalms 119:11)

An Instrument of Conversion:
To Break & To Build

To break our ties with the devil & sin (John 8:32)

To build our relationship with God (John 8:31)

To bring about conversion through:

−Faith in Jesus Christ (John 20:30-31)

−Repentance from sin (Acts 17:30-31)

−Confession of faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10)

−Immersion into Christ (Galatians 3:27)

−Faithful Christian living (1 John 1:7)