Dabar: The Living Power of God’s Word 1 Peter 1:24-25
(Understanding Dabar: The Power and Purpose of God's Word in the Hebrew Bible)
1 Peter 1:24-25 (NLT): “As the Scriptures say, ‘People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers, and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.”
Introduction: The Depth of God’s Word
When we think about the word of God, it’s easy to reduce it to words on a page or just instructions. But in the Hebrew Bible, the word dabar (??????) offers us a profound perspective, reminding us that God’s Word is not static or limited. Dabar goes beyond mere sound or symbol; it represents a living, dynamic, and creative power that brings about change and reality. Dabar is spoken, and things happen—creation occurs, life unfolds, promises are fulfilled.
Today, let’s explore how dabar, the power and purpose of God’s Word, can anchor us in faith, draw us closer to God, and call us into action.
1. God’s Word as Eternal and Unchanging
1 Peter 1:24-25 describes the transience of human life in comparison to the permanence of God’s Word. It says, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers, and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
In Hebrew, dabar signifies not only “word” but also “matter” or “thing.” It implies that God’s Word has substance; it has weight and meaning that will stand the test of time. Just as the mountains seem eternal, so too is the word of the Lord, though it surpasses even creation in its endurance.
Consider Isaiah 40:6-8, which Peter references here. This passage uses dabar to emphasise the frailty of life compared to God’s eternal word. Psalm 103:15-16 (NLT) echoes this: “Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.” In the grand scheme, our lives are like flowers that bloom and fade, yet God’s Word endures forever.
“Our lives are brief, but when they are rooted in God’s eternal Word, they gain a purpose and significance that lasts beyond this life.” — John Piper
When we anchor our lives in the eternal Word of God, we find meaning beyond our fleeting days. God’s Word is our unshakeable foundation, our source of purpose and peace.
2. God’s Word as Action and Command
Dabar is not only a “word” but also implies action, particularly in terms of God’s commands. When God speaks, things happen. Psalm 33:9 (NLT) states, “For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command.” The creative power of God’s word in this verse reminds us that when God speaks, creation itself responds.
Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) expands on this: “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Just as God’s word brought creation into existence, His word brings about His purposes in our lives.
When we read and meditate on God’s Word, we’re not just receiving information. We’re encountering divine power that shapes and transforms us. Imagine a gardener who plants a seed. That seed, given water and sunlight, grows into a plant. Likewise, God’s Word is planted in our hearts to bear fruit, to accomplish God’s desires for us.
“The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.” – Unknown
Let’s engage with the Word of God as more than a book but as a living command that actively works within us. It is His guidance, His instruction, His call for us to live faithfully.
3. God’s Word as Prophetic Revelation and Invitation to Relationship
In the Old Testament, the prophets carried the dabar of God to the people. Their messages weren’t just words; they were revelations, invitations to experience God’s heart, intentions, and plans. When we hear “the word of the Lord came to” a prophet, we are encountering dabar as a relational, revelatory message.
Consider Romans 10:17 (NLT): “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” The gospel is the dabar in its most profound form, revealing God’s love and inviting us into a relationship with Him through Jesus. This Good News is God’s call to us—to move from sin into life, from fear into faith, and from death into eternal life.
Matthew 7:24-25 (NLT) illustrates this with Jesus’ parable: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” His teachings aren’t just words; they’re life-building truths. Like a wise builder, when we respond to Jesus’ words, we are establishing our lives on the solid foundation of God’s eternal promises.
Imagine you’re in the middle of a storm, standing on a solid rock as waves crash around you. God’s Word is that rock. It is our unshakeable foundation, even when life’s storms come against us.
“The Gospel is not just the ABCs of Christianity but the A to Z of the Christian life.” – Timothy Keller
Let’s not just listen to God’s Word; let’s build our lives on it, finding stability, purpose, and identity in the promises He reveals.
4. God’s Word as the Good News that Transforms
1 Peter 1:25 concludes, “And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.” Here, dabar refers to the Good News—the gospel of Jesus Christ. In Greek, the term for “Good News” is euangelion, meaning “joyful tidings” or “a message of victory.”
John 1:1 (NLT) tells us, “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Jesus is God’s dabar in flesh, the living Word that dwelt among us to show us the Father’s heart and save us from sin. His life, death, and resurrection accomplished the purpose of salvation, bringing us from death to life.
This gospel is more than doctrine; it’s the very power of God that transforms us. As Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” Our lives should reflect this powerful, living Word, showing the world that we are part of something eternal.
Think of a lighthouse shining in the dark. Just as the lighthouse illuminates the path for ships, the gospel shines God’s light into our lives, guiding us toward eternal hope and salvation.
Let’s share this Good News boldly. In a world searching for hope, let us be beacons of God’s love and truth.
Conclusion: Trusting in the Living Word
We’ve seen how dabar speaks of God’s living, active, and powerful Word. It reveals His authority, invites us into relationship, and guides us through life. In a world that is ever-changing, where so much feels fragile and temporary, God’s Word stands as an enduring foundation.
Call to Action
Today, let’s commit to engaging with God’s Word deeply and sincerely. Spend time each day reading Scripture, letting it speak to you and guide your life. Allow it to shape your choices, your values, and your relationships.
If you have yet to put your faith in Jesus, this is your invitation. God’s Word promises eternal life to all who trust in Jesus as Saviour. Will you open your heart to Him today? His love, His Word, His promises are eternal.
