Topical Encyclopedia
God's willingness to confirm His Word is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, demonstrating His faithfulness and the reliability of His promises. This divine attribute is evident in both the Old and New Testaments, where God actively ensures that His Word is fulfilled, often through signs, wonders, and the testimony of His prophets and apostles.
Old Testament ExamplesIn the Old Testament, God's confirmation of His Word is prominently displayed in His covenantal promises. For instance, in
Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and land. To confirm this promise, God performs a solemn ritual, passing between the pieces of the sacrificed animals (
Genesis 15:17-18). This act signifies God's unbreakable commitment to His Word.
The account of Gideon further illustrates God's willingness to confirm His Word. When God calls Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Gideon seeks confirmation through a sign. God graciously responds by performing the miracle of the fleece, first making it wet with dew while the ground remains dry, and then reversing the miracle (
Judges 6:36-40).
Prophetic ConfirmationThe prophets of Israel often served as instruments through which God confirmed His Word. In
Isaiah 55:11 , God declares, "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it." This assurance underscores the certainty that God's spoken Word will be fulfilled.
The prophet Jeremiah also experienced God's confirmation. When God called Jeremiah, He assured him of His presence and the fulfillment of His words: "Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: 'Behold, I have put My words in your mouth'" (
Jeremiah 1:9). This divine act confirmed Jeremiah's role as God's mouthpiece.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, God's willingness to confirm His Word is most profoundly seen in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection fulfilled numerous Old Testament prophecies, confirming God's redemptive plan. In
Matthew 5:17 , Jesus states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them."
The apostles also experienced God's confirmation of His Word through signs and wonders. In
Mark 16:20 , it is recorded, "And they went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked through them, confirming His word by the signs that accompanied it." This divine endorsement validated the apostolic message and demonstrated the power of the Gospel.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in confirming God's Word to believers. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would guide the disciples into all truth and remind them of everything He had said (
John 14:26). The Spirit's presence and work in the early church served as a continual confirmation of God's promises and teachings.
Faith and AssuranceBelievers are called to trust in God's faithfulness to His Word.
Hebrews 6:17-18 emphasizes God's unchangeable nature and His oath, providing strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. This assurance is rooted in God's character and His demonstrated willingness to confirm His Word throughout history.