"Thus Saith the Lord"

Scriptural Text:

"Thus Saith the Lord"

Thus Saith the Lord

Thus Saith the Lord

In his book Light for Anxious Souls, George Cutting told about a farmer who lacked the assurance of salvation. He foolishly prayed that as an evidence of his acceptance, the Lord would cause 10 sheep of his flock—and only 10—to gather in a certain shed out in the pasture. Later that day, when the farmer anxiously approached the shed, he was relieved to find exactly 10 sheep. That gave him a temporary sense of peace. Doubt returned with the shocking thought that it may have been just a coincidence. So he asked the Lord that 10 different sheep might gather in an opposite corner of the pasture. And they did! When the farmer was asked, “Did this give you assurance?” he said, “No, nothing gave me certainty until I got the sure Word of God for it.” Cutting concluded, “He was all in a fog of uncertainty until he planted his foot firmly on the ‘Thus saith the Lord.’”

The True Disciple:

The True Disciple:

Looks to Christ for directions, 7, 8; compare ; believes what he is told, 10; asks no doubting questions, 10–13; does just what he is commanded, 13; is satisfied with “thus saith the Lord,” 10–13; never forgets his Lord, 19, 20.

People need guidance from God about how they should make up their minds on difficult issues. God gives them this through the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, individuals, groups and other external means.

Decisions should be grounded in a relationship with God (, ; ; ; ; )

(ESV) — 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

(ESV) — 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Wisdom involves making right moral decisions;

Through Scripture

God guides decision-making: Through Scripture (, ; ; ; ; ; )

(ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

(ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

C. H. Spurgeon, “‘Thus Saith the Lord: he preached the value of our text

C. H. Spurgeon, “‘Thus Saith the Lord: he preached the value of our text

(NKJV) 5Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me, “Speak! ‘Thus says the Lord: “Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

5Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me, “Speak! ‘Thus says the Lord: “Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

2. “Thus saith the Lord” is the only authority in God’s Church.

1. Our first observation is that it is the minister’s message. 2. “Thus saith the Lord” is the only authority in God’s Church.

3. “Thus saith the Lord” is the most fitting word of rebuke for erring saints. 4. “Thus saith the Lord” is the only solid ground of comfort to God’s people.

4. “Thus saith the Lord” is the only solid ground of comfort to God’s people.

5. Yet, again: “Thus saith the Lord” is that with which we must confront the Lord’s enemies.

5. Yet, again: “Thus saith the Lord” is that with which we must confront the Lord’s enemies.

6. To close this point. Such an authority has a “Thus saith the Lord,” that it is not to be despised without entailing upon the offender the severest penalty.

Samuel came to Saul with “Thus saith the Lord,” and bade him destroy the Amalekites.

Quotes: It is in the word that we must find wisdom and power: “because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”...

...that we do not permit the teachings of a creature to usurp the honour due to the Lord alone. “Thus saith antiquity;” “thus saith authority;” “thus saith learning;” “thus saith experience;” ... C. H. Spurgeon, “‘Thus Saith the Lord:’

It is in the word that we must find wisdom and power: “because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” The faintest whisper of Jehovah’s voice should fill us with a solemn awe, and command the deepest obedience of our souls. Brethren, how careful should we be that we do not set up in God’s temple anything in opposition to his Word, that we do not permit the teachings of a creature to usurp the honour due to the Lord alone. “Thus saith antiquity;” “thus saith authority;” “thus saith learning;” “thus saith experience;” these be but idol-gods which defile the temple of God, be it yours and mine as bold iconoclasts to dash them in pieces without mercy, seeing that they usurp the place of the Word of God.

 C. H. Spurgeon, “‘Thus Saith the Lord:’

Our text is coming the chapter telling us the The Wise Path of Life (Part 3): Seek and Know the Value of Wisdom, 2:1-22

5Then the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said to me, “Speak! ‘Thus says the Lord: “Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind.

1. Seek wisdom (vv. 1-4). 2. Know the benefits of gaining wisdom (vv. 5-22).

2. Know the benefits of gaining wisdom (vv. 5-22).

Thought 1. As true believers, we need to pursue wisdom continually and wholeheartedly. (, )

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” ().

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” ().

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” ().

Committing these six guiding principles to memory will aid us greatly in that pursuit:

⇒We can find wisdom by receiving God’s holy, inspired Word—the Bible.

⇒We can find wisdom by recognizing what a priceless treasure God’s Word (commandments) is, by studying and storing this treasure in our hearts so it will be there when we need it.

⇒We can find wisdom by paying attention to God when He speaks to us.

⇒We can find wisdom by yielding our will to God so we can understand His Word.

⇒We can find wisdom by prayer.

⇒We can find wisdom by earnestly, diligently searching for it.

These are the benefits of gaining wisdom, eight benefits in all.(2:5-22), we are going to look at our text:

You will be given knowledge and understanding by the Lord (v. 6).[, , , )

⇒We do not find or discover wisdom and then help ourselves to it. We find God and He gives us wisdom.

⇒Wisdom is ours solely because of God’s grace.

⇒Wisdom is the gracious reward for those who are devoted to Him and obedient to Him. Note these Scriptures:

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” ().

“For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit” ().

How does God give wisdom, knowledge and understanding? These gracious gifts are imparted to people from “his mouth.” (v. 6).

Wisdom is given through His Word. (, )

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” ().

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” ().