GOD'S EVERLASTING LOVE The "sword" speaks of more than a mere weapon wielded by some despot. It stands as a symbol of violent death, often carried out by political powers. The word "sword" is used in this manner in the thirteenth chapter of Romans, where the principle of governmental power is said to come from God. The purpose of government, as established by God, is said to be twofold: (1) The encouragement and praise of those who do good (13:3), and (2) to execute wrath upon those who do evil (13:4). Of this latter role it is said, "he does not bear THE SWORD in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil" (Rom 13:4). Peter says much the same thing in his first epistle: "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well" (1 Pet 2:13-14). Examples of subduing evil people with the sword include, (1) the Israelites killing the five kings of Midian and Balaam with the sword (Num 31:6), and Joshua killing the king of Hazor with the sword (Josh 11:10). – Tomorrow:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NKJV)
However, many despots have turned their sword against the saints of God. John the Baptist was beheaded, no doubt with a sword (Mark 6:27). Wicked Herod "killed James the brother of John with the SWORD" (Acts 12:2). Other saints, of old time, "were slain with the SWORD" (Heb 11:37). Those who escaped martyrdom are said to have "escaped the edge of the SWORD" (Heb 11:34). Wicked Jezebel "cut off the prophets of the Lord" (1 Kgs 18:4), slaying them "with the SWORD" (1 Kgs 19:1). The Lord charged His own chosen people with killing their own prophets: "your own SWORD hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion" (Jer 2:30). One of the "sins of the people" that Jeremiah declared was that they had "shed the blood of the just in the midst of her" (Lam 4:13). David once cried out to the Lord, "Deliver my soul from the sword" (Psa 22:20).
It is quite true that it is written, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper" (Isa 54:17). However, that word has too often found its way into the mouths of novices who seem to be oblivious of the Scriptures cited above, as well as many others. Today, it is not unusual for God's people to hear this Scripture explained as meaning no opponent will ever be able to harm a child of God. In fact, in this day of TV religion and media hype, this teaching has become quite popular.
When the wicked form weapons against the righteous, it is not merely to detain them, or make life miserable for them. It is the intention of the ungodly to "break their chains," "and throw off their fetters" (Psa 2:3). It is to rid themselves of the restraining influences of the godly. However, their efforts are all in vain. If Cain kills Abel, thinking to have finally ridden himself of his righteous influence, he will yet hear the voice of God Almighty saying, "the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground" (Gen 4:10). His weapon did not prosper! If they stone Stephen, the memory of his death will haunt Saul of Tarsus until it is hard for him to "kick against the pricks" (Acts 9:5; 26:14). Their weapons did not prosper. If a crowd of angry Jews demand the death of Jesus of Nazareth, and even appear to be successful in eliminating Him, all is not over. Less than two months later three thousand of them will be so powerfully convicted of their sin, they will cry out "Men and brethren, what shall we do!" (Acts 2:37-38). Their weapons did not prosper!
No person must conclude from Isaiah's word that absolute safety is guaranteed to all who trust the Lord, or that such a conclusion is to be drawn from that text. Should they do so, a host of righteous men will rise in refutation of such a naive conclusion. Men like Abel will rise in the judgment to testify such a conclusion was not only false, but was stupid as well. Isaiah, whom Jewish tradition tells us was sawn in two by the order of Manasseh (The Talmud), will certainly rise to testify to the foolishness of such a notion. And what of Zechariah who was stoned, John the Baptist who was beheaded, James who was killed with the sword, Stephen who was stoned, Antipas Christ's faithful martyr, and Peter and Paul who were executed because of their faith? One wonders how such absurd conclusions can be drawn from Scripture, then perpetrated among the saints with zeal.
The meaning of Isaiah's statement is that the INTENTIONS of the godless against the righteous will not be realized. God's purpose will override theirs! The will of the Lord will throw their will down to the ground! God will triumph, and they will come down in infamy and shame. They will not be able to subdue the truth, or cause the ministry of the Lord's servants to terminate prematurely. They will not be able to cut short what God has started through His people. God's purposes will be fulfilled in spite of the opposition of the wicked.
The question put before us is whether or not "the sword" can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I know that those who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. I also know that many of them will have their lives taken by their enemies. Perhaps I myself may be among that noble number. Yet, I thank You through Jesus Christ that how I die for Your name has no power whatsoever to sever me from Christ's love.