What infinite wealth the Word of God contains that it may be comprehended under so many figures.  Today, for example, we will examine the Word of God under the figure of seed.  Each of the three synoptic gospels gives the Parable of the Sower.  Luke’s account states our point most succinctly:  “Now the parable is this:  The seed is the word of God” (8:11; see also Matt. 13:1-23, Mk. 4:1-20).  And Peter reiterates the figure:  “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (I Pet. 1:23).

            Like natural seed.  The Spirit of God would have us to understand that the written Word of God bears several similarities to natural seed.  First of all, both contain life in themselves, not life that is apparent, but life nonetheless.  Looking at a natural seed, we see something detached from a green and vibrant plant, perhaps dried, even shriveled, seemingly dead.  So it is with Scripture:  to the natural eye it appears to be like so many other books, just so much ink on paper.  But as with the natural seed, the seed of the Word contains hidden life, the energizing power of God Himself.  Second, both must be sown in order to produce life.  The farmer must plant the seed in the soil.  And the Spirit of God through the instrumentality of preaching must plant the seed in a human heart.  Third, both must be sown on good ground.  Seed sown on rock probably will not even germinate.  Seed sown in sand or shallow ground may produce a sprout, but the plant will not survive long enough to mature, much less to produce fruit.  So it is with the Word of God.  Though the Word of God may be sown in many places, only when it is received into “good ground,” a heart prepared by the Spirit of God, will it produce the eternal fruit of righteousness.  Fourth, both may be hidden for awhile.  The natural seed goes into the ground and is covered by soil, entirely invisible, apparently dead.  But at the proper time, with sufficient moisture and light, it springs to life, and a tender shoot bursts from the ground.  So too is it with the planting of the Word of God.  It often enters a person’s heart and lies “hidden” there, awaiting the combination of the light and moisture of the Holy Spirit (if you will), to bring forth a shoot of eternal life.

            Unlike natural seed.  The gospel accounts of The Parable of the Sower emphasize the similarity between a natural seed and the supernatural seed of the Word of God.  Peter’s epistle builds on this theme by accentuating the dissimilarity between the two.   Natural seed, Peter reminds us, is corruptible:  it perishes.  Using a similar figure, the Lord Jesus reminded His hearers that “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone” (John 12:24).  In order to produce a new life, a natural seed must die and then cease to be altogether.  Not so the Word of God:  it is “incorruptible,” i.e., imperishable.  It neither dies nor ceases to be.  “The word of God,” Peter affirms, “liveth and abideth for ever.”  The word abideth contains the idea of permanence.  Its every word remains forever; its every truth thrives forever; it is the “power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16), now and forever, perfect, inerrant, infallible, inalterable, the life-imparting truth of God. 

There is no salvation apart from faith in the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).  We can trust His Word; we must trust His Word with total confidence and absolute assurance.  Like the Lord Himself, it is “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb. 13:8).  For “the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (I Pet. 2:25).  Believe it, obey it, love it.