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Allegory and the Unchanging Word of God

Allegory, as a figure of speech, involves representing one thing in order to evoke the representation of another. It possesses a twofold meaning: an immediate or historical sense derived from the words themselves, and an ultimate sense concerned with the things symbolized by those words [1]. This literary device exists within the broader context of God's unchanging word, a concept frequently affirmed in scripture.

The Psalms, for instance, declare the enduring nature of God's word, stating, "Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps" [2]. Another passage from the Psalms emphasizes its eternal quality: "I have long had knowledge that your unchanging word is for ever" [3]. The wonder and steadfastness of God's word are also highlighted: "Your unchanging word is full of wonder; for this reason my soul keeps it" [4].

The unchangeableness of God's word is a fundamental attribute of God himself. The prophet Malachi records God's declaration, "For I am the Lord, I change not" (Malachi 3:6) [10]. This immutability is not merely a static quality but a dynamic assurance of God's faithfulness to his promises and covenants [12]. The name "Jehovah" itself implies this immutable faithfulness, particularly in God's covenant with the patriarchs [12]. The fact that the "sons of Jacob" (Israel) were not consumed, despite their transgressions, serves as a testament to God's unchanging nature and his covenant loyalty [12].

The permanence of God's word is contrasted with the transient nature of earthly things. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 119:89, notes that while "all flesh is grass," the word of the Lord "endures for ever" [8]. He suggests that God's word is "settled in heaven," implying its stability against the "changes and revolutions that are here upon earth" [8]. This divine steadfastness means that God's counsels are also unchangeable [8].

The truth of God is another aspect closely tied to his unchanging word. It is described as one of his attributes, always preceding him, and kept by him forever [6]. This truth is characterized as great, plenteous, abundant, and inviolable, reaching to the clouds and enduring through all generations [6]. It is united with mercy in redemption and is exhibited in God's ancient counsels, his ways, his works, his judicial statutes, and his administration of justice [6]. The word of God itself is truth [6].

The concept of God's unchanging word provides a stable foundation for faith and understanding. John Gill, in his commentary on 1 Peter 1:25, explicitly connects the enduring word of the Lord with the Gospel preached by the apostles, asserting that it is "settled for ever, and will never pass away" [13]. This means that despite the mortality of individuals, including ministers, and the transient nature of worldly things, the Gospel remains constant [13].

The immutability of God also extends to his mercy and grace. While unbelief might suggest that God's mercy is "clean gone for ever," faith recognizes that God is "rich in mercy, and abundant in goodness" [9]. His grace is sufficient, and his mercy is abundant, even with continuous supplies given to believers [9]. This enduring goodness and mercy are seen as following believers throughout their lives, flowing from God's love and not from human merit [11].

The excellency and glory of Christ are also intertwined with the unchanging nature of God. Christ is described as God, the Son of God, one with the Father, the First-born, the First-begotten, Lord of lords, the image of God, and the Creator [7]. His divine nature and personality did not change when he became man; he remained the same as he always was [10]. This consistency in Christ's nature further underscores the unchanging character of God's word and his divine attributes.

The steadfastness of God's word is a source of delight and guidance for believers [2]. It is a wonder that the soul keeps [4]. This enduring word forms the basis for the hope of future rewards for saints, which are from God, of grace through faith, and prepared by God and Christ [5]. These rewards include being with Christ, beholding the face of God, beholding the glory of Christ, and being glorified with Christ [5]. The unchanging word of God thus provides assurance for both present guidance and future hope.

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Allegory — a figure of speech, which has been defined by Bishop Marsh, in accordance with its etymology as, "a representation of one thing which is intended to excite the representation of another thing." ("A figurative representation containing a meaning other than and in addition to the literal." "A fable or parable; is a short allegory with one definite moral."--Encyc. Brit.) In every allegory there is a twofold sense--the immediate or historic, which is understood from the words, and the ultimate, which is concerned with the things signified by the words. The alle”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 119:24 (BBE) — Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps.”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 119:152 (BBE) — I have long had knowledge that your unchanging word is for ever.”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 119:129 (BBE) — Your unchanging word is full of wonder; for this reason my soul keeps it.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reward of Saints, The — Is from God -- Ro 2:7; Col 3:24; Heb 11:6. Is of grace, through faith alone -- Ro 4:4,5,16; 11:6. Is of God's good pleasure -- Mt 20:14,15; Lu 12:32. Prepared by God -- Heb 11:16. Prepared by Christ -- Joh 14:2. As servants of Christ -- Col 3:24. Not on account of their merits -- Ro 4:4,5. Described as Being with Christ. -- Joh 12:26; 14:3; Php 1:23; 1Th 4:17. Beholding the face of God. -- Ps 17:15; Mt 5:8; Re 22:4. Beholding the glory of Christ. -- Joh 17:24. Being glorified with Christ. -- Ro 8:17,18; Col 3:4; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2. Sitting in j”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Truth of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- De 32:4; Isa 65:16. Always goes before his face -- Ps 89:14. He keeps, for ever -- Ps 146:6. Described as Great. -- Ps 57:10. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:15. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6. Inviolable. -- Nu 23:19; Tit 1:2. Reaching to the clouds. -- Ps 57:10. Enduring to all generations. -- Ps 100:5. United with mercy in redemption -- Ps 85:10. Exhibited in his Counsels of old. -- Isa 25:1. Ways. -- Re 15:3. Works. -- Ps 33:4; 11:7; Da 4:37. Judicial statutes. -- Ps 19:9. Administration of justice. -- Ps 96:13. Word. -- Ps 119:160; Joh ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  8. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:89: Here, 1. The psalmist acknowledges the unchangeableness of the word of God and of all his counsels: "For ever, O Lord! thy word is settled. Thou art for ever thyself (so some read it); thou art the same, and with thee there is no variableness, and this is a proof of it. Thy word, by which the heavens were made, is settled there in the abiding products of it;" or the settling of God's word in heaven is opposed to the changes and revolutions that are here upon earth. All flesh is grass; but the word of the Lord endures for ever. It is settled in heaven, that is, i”
  9. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 77:8: Is his mercy clean gone for ever?.... Or "his grace" (q); and mercy is no other than grace to objects in misery; Unbelief says it is gone, that no more will be shown, and that the treasures of it are exhausted; but Faith says it is not gone, and observes that God is the God of all grace, is rich in mercy, and abundant in goodness; that his Son is full of grace and truth, and so is the covenant; and that though there is an abundance of it given in conversion, and there are continual supplies of it afterwards; yet this grace is still sufficient, and this mercy abundant;”
  10. Malachi (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Malachi 3:6: For I am the Lord,.... Or Jehovah; a name peculiar to the most High, and so a proof of the deity of Christ, who here speaks; and is expressive of his being; of his self-existence; of his purity and simplicity; of his immensity and infinity; and of his eternity and sovereignty: I change not; being the same today, yesterday, and forever; he changed not in his divine nature and personality by becoming man; he took that into union with him he had not before, but remained the same he ever was; nor did he change in his threatenings of destruction to the Jews, which came u”
  11. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 23:6: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,.... Either the free grace, love, favour, and mercy of God in Christ, which endures continually, and is always the same from everlasting to everlasting; or the effects of it; and these either temporal good things, which flow from the goodness and mercy of God, and not the merits of men; and which are in great mercy and loving kindness bestowed on his people, and which follow them: they do not anxiously seek after them; but seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness, these are added to them, they trusting in the Lord, and”
  12. Malachi (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Malachi 3:6: the Lord--Jehovah: a name implying His immutable faithfulness in fulfilling His promises: the covenant name of God to the Jews (Exo 6:3), called here "the sons of Jacob," in reference to God's covenant with that patriarch. I change not--Ye are mistaken in inferring that, because I have not yet executed judgment on the wicked, I am changed from what I once was, namely, a God of judgment. therefore ye . . . are not consumed--Ye yourselves being "not consumed," as ye have long ago deserved, are a signal proof of My unchangeableness. Rom 11:29 : compar”
  13. 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 1:25: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever,.... Though men die, and ministers of the word too, and everything in the world is uncertain, unstable, fleeting, and passing away, and whatever change has been in the ordinances of divine service; yet the word of the Lord, the Gospel of Christ, is settled for ever, and will never pass away: and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you; this is the apostle's application of the passage in Isaiah, showing that the word of the Lord there is the same with the Gospel preached by him, and the other apostles, at ”
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