TThe Indelible Word

This adjective “indelible” is often associated with the noun ink; or it could also be modifying the noun impression.  In either case, the adjective reminds us that whether it’s ink or impression, it is not erasable either from the paper or the mind’s eye. One dictionary defines the word this way: “that cannot be removed, washed away, blotted out, or effaced; incapable of being canceled, lost, or forgotten.”

One of my sources suggests that the word indelible is derived from a 15th century French word. However, when you combine the adjective with WORD, it dates back to creation.  Moses writes in his Pentateuch that one cannot add or subtract to God’s laws or commands. (Deuteronomy 4:2) Why? God’s Word is perfect and indelible! My study centers around these principles:

• God’s Word is indelible:
  • In Creation
  • In the written/spoken form
  • In the person of Jesus, the Christ/Messiah
  • In the hearts of the elect (Holy Spirit)

Let’s first examine the beginning verses in Genesis that describes God’s six-day creation and His seventh day of rest. If you read the creation story in Genesis one, you will see that on each creating day, “And God said. . .” Following each oral command, the result ranged from created light to man himself. The indelible nature of His word cannot be changed. For His creation was perfect without stain or blemish. The world was turned upside down when sin entered into the equation. But God, in His perfect will, provided a way out of its demise.  Yes, the protevangel (Genesis 3:15) promised a savior from the pit of darkness (Sheol).  The call of Abram provided the conduit to carry out His promise. The nation of Israel, and beyond, was born. God promised Abram’s descendants in numbers of stars in the sky and seashore sand.

The oral Word continued until the time of Moses when God personally penned the decalogue. These ten perfect words/phrases provided all that was necessary for man’s honor and worship of the true God and love for his neighbor.  Later, in his books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…and your neighbor as yourself.” (Combines Leviticus and Deuteronomy quotes that were echoed by Jesus in the gospels). God’s people failed to heed the laws of God and continued to sin. Regardless of their sin, God’s indelible nature and His word remained true!

Their trip to the Promised Land was delayed by forty years; but eventually found its way to the Land of Milk and Honey under Joshua’s leadership. God’s Word continued through His spokespersons (prophets, priests, and kings). The psalmist records for us this very basic sentence, “the Word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does” (Psalm 33:4) The Hebrew words for both “right and true” are straight forward. The word for true can be translated as “just, well-pleased, righteous, and most uprightly,” among others.  The word for true is translated as “sure and with certainty.”

It is truly God’s will that His word has remained since antiquity and now contained in the Holy Bible. This collection of God’s indelible Word has been translated into multiple languages.  According to Ethnologue, the following data are as of 2020:

• Total of 7,106 living languages in the world
  • 704 have the entire Bible in their heart language; and
  • 1,551 have the entire New Testament; and
  • 1,160 have a portion of the Bible.

As time passed, God’s promise from long ago was fulfilled in His Son, the Messiah. The gospel writer John records for us the following: “In the beginning was the Word (logos, Greek) . . .through Him all things were made. . .the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1-14, paraphrased).  Yes, the True God is also true man who was born to die for the sins of the world! This perfect man was indeed the unblemished sacrifice that was for all sins past, present, and future. All who believe in His name will be saved, says Scripture. It was the perfect indelible will of God that His one and only Son was the sacrifice that accomplished what Abraham’s sacrifice could not do!

Finally, God’s Word is indelibly written into the hearts and minds of His believers.  This “heart writing” was performed by God’s Holy Spirit when we came to faith in the waters of Holy Baptism.  St. Paul writes to his student, Titus, and says, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.” (Titus 3:5ff)

God’s Word is indeed indelible! You cannot improve on perfection. As the psalmist wrote, “His Word is right and true.”  I am thankful that God has chosen you and me to be in His family. I trust in His Word and promises based on my faith in His Son, Jesus the Christ, who by His Spirit has brought me to faith trusting in His promises.  Amen and Amen!

Peace

Connected in Him, I stand

GHR