The gospel Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow Him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus’ message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness. It put sinners on notice that they must turn from sin and embrace God’s righteousness. It was in every sense good news, yet it was anything but easy-believism.
John MacArthur

SWORD

SWORD

SWORD, The

  1. Probable origin # Ge 3:24
  2. Was pointed # Eze 21:15
  3. Frequently had two edges # Ps 149:6
  4. DESCRIBED AS 4a) Sharp

    # Ps 57:4

4b) Bright # Na 3:3 4c) Glittering # De 32:41 Job 20:25 4d) Oppressive # Jer 46:16 4e) Hurtful # Ps 144:10 5) Carried in a sheath or scabbard # 1Ch 21:27 Jer 47:6 Eze 21:3-5 6) Suspended from the girdle # 1Sa 17:39 2Sa 20:8 Ne 4:18 Ps 45:3 7) WAS USED 7a) By the patriarchs # Ge 34:25 48:22 7b) By the Jews # Jud 20:2 2Sa 24:9 7c) By heathen nations # Jud 7:22 1Sa 15:33 7d) For self-defence # Lu 22:36 7e) For destruction of enemies # Nu 21:24 Jos 6:21 7f) For punishing criminals # 1Sa 15:33 Ac 12:2 7g) Sometimes for self-destruction # 1Sa 31:4,5 Ac 16:27 8) Hebrews early acquainted with making of # 1Sa 13:19 9) In time of war, plough shares made into # Joe 3:10 10) In time of peace made into plough shares # Isa 2:4 Mic 4:3 11) Sharpened and furbished before going to war # Ps 7:12 Eze 21:9 12) Was brandished over the head # Eze 32:10 13) Was thrust through enemies # Eze 16:40 14) Often threatened as a punishment # Le 26:25,33 De 32:25 15) Often sent as a punishment # Ezr 9:7 Ps 78:62 16) Was one of God’s four sore judgments # Eze 14:21 17) Those slain by, communicated ceremonial uncleanness # Nu 19:16 18) ILLUSTRATIVE 18a) Of the word of God # Eph 6:17 Heb 4:12 18b) Of the word of Christ # Isa 49:2 Re 1:16 18c) Of the justice of God # De 32:41 Zec 13:7 18d) Of the protection of God # De 33:29 18e) Of war and contention # Mt 10:34 18f) Of severe and heavy calamities # Eze 5:2,17 14:17 21:9 18g) Of deep mental affliction # Lu 2:35 18h) Of the wicked # Ps 17:13 18i) Of the tongue of the wicked # Ps 57:4 64:3 Pr 12:18 18j) Of persecuting spirit of the wicked # Ps 37:14 18k) Of the end of the wicked # Pr 5:4 18l) Of false witnesses # Pr 25:18 18m) Of judicial authority # Ro 13:4 18n) (Drawing of,) of war and destruction # Le 26:33 Eze 21:3-5 18o) (Putting, into its sheath,) of peace and friendship # Jer 47:6 18p) (Living by,) of rapine # Ge 27:40 18q) (Not departing from one’s house,) of perpetual calamity # 2Sa 12:10