“Then the word of the Lord came to me asking, ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ I replied, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree. The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I watch over My word to accomplish it.’”

Jeremiah 1:11-12, HCSB

Many times in the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, God uses figures of speech to strongly impress His intentions upon those who read His word. Unfortunately, the languages in which the Bible was originally written do not always translate into our English as forcefully as we would like. Neither do the translations of the original always allow us to understand the plays on words God used to speak to the original hearers.

In this instance, God uses a word play to remind His Jewish readers of something that those of us who are English speaking believers do not fully grasp in some translations. He uses the Hebrew word, “shawkade,” which refers to the almond tree, to remind the young prophet, Jeremiah, that God is carefully watching over, “shawkad,” His word, in order to perfectly perform and completely fulfill His intentions for it.

Isaiah 55:10-11 says: “For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” (HCSB).

What so many of God’s people do not understand is that God’s word is so powerful it transcends our puny human attempts to ever fully grasp, understand, translate, or teach and preach it! Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a diserner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (NKJV).

Whenever you read, search, and diligently pray for God’s direction in comprehending His word, you will be rewarded. You can be assured of that, because, despite our limited, human understandings, God truly desires for you to receive the richness of His word!

Never forget that God’s word is discerning the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, even though we will never fully plumb the infinite wonders of His intentions for us. So, brothers and sisters, always continue reading His word. Even during those times when you do not fully comprehend what God is saying, rest assured, that He is using His word to accomplish His purpose in your life. Romans 12:2 says: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Blessings, Brother Dan