come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11-12
Words that Disturb
By Rev. William Dohle
"Sticks and stones will break my bones...but words will never hurt me!"
As a child these words seemed true. But as an adult, I can't believe how false this truly is!
Words aren't harmless. They are dangerous! Words change the world. They upset the status quo. Words can get you ostracized and fired, or loved and cherished. They can incite love or violence. They can divide or call together. They can bring peace or cause war.
Even simple words change the world. Think of the words "I love you..." and how dangerous they are to speak in a relationship. These three words change everything. They can lead to a deeper relationship or break up a good friendship. The words "I love you" can seal two people together for a lifetime or cast them apart.
Words are dangerous things. They can, and do, hurt! And will, and do, heal!
Moses learns this lesson the hard way. Fresh off his meeting with the Israelite elders, Moses and his brother, Aaron, approach Pharaoh on his throne to say: "“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”(Ex. 5:1) Sounds simple, doesn't it? Not too complicated of a thing to ask. These words shouldn't disturb, should they? But Pharaoh already sounds angry.
“Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go."(Ex. 5:2)
Moses tries to calm the situation down. Or at least explain himself. But he does so with more words and words are dangerous.
“The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword.”(Ex. 5:3)
Again, Moses isn't threatening Pharaoh. He actually sounds more frightened for himself and his people. "Let us go...or GOD may strike US with plagues or with the sword!" Moses is worried about HIMSELF and HIS PEOPLE.
But Pharaoh doesn't get that. And these words that Moses speaks affect him in a way that Moses NEVER imagines or intends.
“Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!” Then Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working.” That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.”
What?! Why did Pharaoh say THIS? What made him so...mad? Moses and Aaron came to him with no sword or shield or anything to really threaten him. They came with only God's Word and a simple request. Why did Pharaoh react like this?
The reasons are the words themselves. Those words were powerful. Straight from God, those words had the power to change...everything! And they did. But not right away. The "powers that be", the "god" of the Egyptians, wasn't going to die without a fight. Pharaoh fought, and fought hard, to keep things the way they were, but ultimately he failed. God really did redeem his people, starting with a few simple words.
Our words can have the same power, especially when they are from God. Words from God have the power to heal and to harm, to kill and to bring to life. The same word has been known to heal one person and offend another. And God's Word spoken in church is even more powerful. Spoken from the pulpit, sermons have the power to inspire or incite rebellion. They have brought communities together or split them apart.
The Word of God, spoken anywhere, will affect change. It just does. Not just a surface change that can be easily dismissed, but a lasting, internal change that will always have the powers that be raging against it.
So the next time you are called on to speak a word of grace to a graceless world, a word of love to the loveless, or a word of forgiveness where forgiveness is not welcome, take heart. The next time your words cause others to fight against you, fear not. God goes with you! God speaks through you. And though the world rage against you, God will overcome!
Word of God, we greeted your coming by hanging you on a cross. Prepare us with your Spirit, that we may endure persecution and see your word fulfilled. Amen.
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