The Promise of God’s Rest is realized through Christ—Let us strive after it by Him, our Sympathizing High Priest. From the perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ, both of his person and office 12-16.
- 12 The word of God First, it is the “Word of God.” Second, it is living, or “quick.” Third, it is mighty, “powerful.” Fourth, it is effectual, “sharper than any two-edged sword.” Fifth, it is penetrating, “piercing.” Sixth, it is regenerative, “even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” Seventh, it is revealing and exposing, bringing to light the “thoughts and intents of the heart, etc.” The reference to the Word piercing to the dividing asunder of “the joints (external) and marrow” (internal) tells of its discriminating power over every part of our being. The more we submit ourselves unto its searching and convicting influence the more shall we be blest. Pink Arthur W.Is. 49:2, Lk. 8:11, Act. 4:31, 2Cor. 2:17; 4:2, is quick. Ps. 110:2; 119:130, Ec. 12:11, Is. 55:11, Jer. 23:29, Ro. 1:16, Jas. 1:18, 1Pet. 1:23, sharper. Ps. 45:3; 149:6. Pr. 5:4, Is. 11:4, Act. 2:37; 5:33, Ep. 6:17, and is. Ps. 139:2, Jer. 17:10, 1Cor. 14:24, 25. Ep. 5:13, Rev. 2:23. “Let us give diligence therefore to enter into that rest … For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper…the first thing emphasized here is that Christianity consists not so much of external conduct, as the place which the Word of God has within us. The Word of God “piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit” is the effect which it produces, under the application of the Lord, when a sinner is regenerated. Man is a tripartite being, consisting of spirit and soul and body. This, we believe, is the first and deepest meaning of Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.” God Himself is a Trinity in Unity, and such He made man to be” Pink Arthur W.
- 13 “The Word’s dividing and far penetrating power has both a punitive and a healing effect. discerner—‘capable of judging.’ the thoughts—‘the sentiments.’ intents—’It refers to the sentiments, feelings, and passions 13. creature—visible or invisible. in his (God’s) sight (v. 12). opened—so as to have the neck laid bare. The perfect tense implies this is our continuous state in relation to God. ‘Show, O man, shame and fear towards thy God, for no veil, no twisting, bending, colouring, or disguise can cover practical unbelief’” Bernes, Alvert &co 1Sa. 16:7, 1Chr. 28:9, 2Chr. 6:30, Ps. 7:9; 33:13–15; 90:8; 2, 139:11, 12. Pr. 15:3, 11. Je. 17:10, 23, 24, naked. Job 26:6; 34:21; 38:17, with. Ec. 12:14, Rom. 2:16; 14:9–12.
His person(Christ), particularly his omniscience: Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, v. 13. This is agreeable to what Christ speaks of himself: All the churches shall know that I am he that searches the reins and hearts, Rev. 2:23. None of the creatures can be concealed from Christ; none of the creatures of God, for Christ is the Creator of them all; and there are none of the motions and workings of our heads and hearts (which may be called creatures of our own) but what are open and manifest to him with whom we have to do as the object of our worship, and the high priest of our profession. He, by his omniscience, cuts up the sacrifice we bring to him, that it may be presented to the Father.
