Title: The Word Came to Me

Topic: Word

Summary: The Bible is a large block of text that hasn't changed for a couple of thousand years; yet it describes "the word of the Lord" as a living force that speaks directly to people about what is going on in their lives and surroundings. How can we reconcile these two views?

Use the reference links below to follow along in the Bible as you watch.

References:
Genesis 15:1-2
1 Samuel 15:10-11; 2:12-14, 17; 3:4-10, 15-18; 15:13-14, 22
2 Samuel 7:4; 24:11-12
1 Kings 6:11-14; 12:22, 24; 17:1-4, 8; 18:1; 19:9; 21:17, 27-28
2 Kings 20:1-7
1 Chronicles 22:6-10
Psalms 105:17-19
Jeremiah 1:1
Jonah 1:1-3; 2:10; 3:1, 3; 4:9
Zechariah 4:8-14
Luke 3:2-3, 8, 10; 12:20
Acts of the Apostles 22:6-10

2046. 'Every male' means those who possess the truth of faith. This is clear from the meaning of 'a male' as truth, dealt with in 672, 749. The reason why the word 'male', meaning the truth of faith, is used is that nobody can be purified from those filthy loves except the person who is governed by truth. From truth he recognizes what is pure or impure, and what is holy or unholy. Until he possesses such knowledge there are no channels into which and through which heavenly love flowing in constantly from the Lord is able to operate, for it cannot be received except within truths. It is by means of cognitions of truth therefore that a person is reformed and regenerated, but this does not take place before he has been endowed with them. Conscience itself is formed by means of the truths of faith, for the conscience with which a regenerate person is endowed is a conscience for what is true and right. On this matter see 977, 986 (end), 1033, 1076, 1077. This also is the reason why flint knives, or 'swords of flint', as they are called, were used for circumcision. 'Swords of flint' means truths, see above 2039 (end).