The term "flinty" in the Bible is often used metaphorically to describe hardness, resilience, or steadfastness. Flint is a hard type of sedimentary rock that was commonly used in ancient times for tools and weapons due to its ability to be chipped into sharp edges. In a biblical context, "flinty" conveys a sense of unyielding strength and determination.

Biblical References:

1. Isaiah 50:7 : "Because the Lord GOD helps Me, I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be put to shame." In this passage, the prophet Isaiah speaks of the Servant of the Lord, who is often understood as a messianic figure. The phrase "set My face like flint" indicates a resolute determination to fulfill God's will, despite opposition or suffering. This imagery underscores the steadfastness and unwavering commitment of the Servant to His divine mission.

2. Ezekiel 3:9 : "I will make your forehead like a diamond, harder than flint. Do not be afraid of them or terrified by their faces, though they are a rebellious house." Here, God is speaking to the prophet Ezekiel, preparing him for the difficult task of delivering His message to the rebellious Israelites. The comparison to flint emphasizes the strength and courage that God imparts to Ezekiel, enabling him to stand firm against resistance and hostility.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, the use of "flinty" imagery serves to highlight the qualities of strength, resilience, and unwavering faithfulness. These attributes are essential for those called to serve God, as they often face challenges and opposition. The metaphor of flint suggests that, with divine support, believers can remain steadfast and unyielding in their commitment to God's purposes.

Application in Christian Life:

For Christians, the concept of being "flinty" can be applied to the call to live a life of faith and obedience. Just as flint is unbreakable and sharp, believers are encouraged to be resolute in their faith, standing firm in the face of trials and temptations. This steadfastness is not self-derived but is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who equips believers to endure and persevere.

Symbolism in Scripture:

Flint also appears in other contexts within Scripture, symbolizing God's provision and power. For example, in Deuteronomy 8:15, God is praised for bringing water from the flinty rock during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. This act of provision from a seemingly impenetrable source illustrates God's ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways.

Overall, the imagery of flint in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of divine strength and the call to unwavering faithfulness in the life of a believer.(superl.) Consisting of, composed of, abounding in, or resembling, flint; as, a flinty rock; flinty ground; a flinty heart.2496. challamish -- flint
... Definition: flint. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition flint NASB
Word Usage flint (4), flinty (1). flinty, rock. Probably from ...
/hebrew/2496.htm - 6k

Responsiveness to Christ.
... THE FLINTY WORLD. ... The Heavenly Bridegroom wants a companion who will understand
Him. This cold, hard, flinty, wicked world does not. ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vii responsiveness to christ.htm

Christ the Water of Life.
... The idea that God could cause a river to flow from a flinty rock, and then have
to leave it to seek its natural way to the sea, leaving His people destitute ...
/.../iii christ the water of life.htm

The Stony Heart Removed
... can ever warn the stony heart of man into a glow of love to Jesus; nay, no force
of entreaty can get so much as a spark of gratitude out of the flinty heart of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the stony heart removed.htm

The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He ...
... so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of
God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137 ...
/.../chapter i the early life.htm

Repentance
... His clothes were rent, but not his heart. The eye may be watery, and the heart flinty.
An apricot may be soft without, but it has a hard stone within. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 2 repentance.htm

Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
... Fearful possibilities had begun to suggest themselves to the new convert. Now
had he the flinty heart and the cunning mind of his fathers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 20 again the council.htm

Hymn for the Lighting of the Lamps
... with stars unnumbered, And in the cloudless vault the pale moon rides; Yet Thou
dost bid us seek the fire that hides Till swift we strike it from its flinty bed ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/v hymn for the lighting.htm

The Wilderness.
... In His mercy God bore with their murmurs, fed them with manna from Heaven, and water
out of the flinty rock; and gave them the victory over the Edomite tribe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm

For the Sake of a Nation.
... arms' reach, yes, and"surely this alone were enough"there was living, cool water
gushing abundantly, gladly out of the very heart of a flinty rock"if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/for the sake of a.htm

For the Love of Christ.
... Ah! let the virtue of Thy blood My flinty heart be bending, Entrance finding; And
may Thy love, life's flood Through all my veins be sending. Oh! ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for the love of christ.htm

Flinty (3 Occurrences)
... (superl.) Consisting of, composed of, abounding in, or resembling, flint; as, a
flinty rock; flinty ground; a flinty heart. ...Flinty (3 Occurrences). ...
/f/flinty.htm - 7k

Flint (12 Occurrences)
... He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil
out of the flinty rock; (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/flint.htm - 14k

Nourished (29 Occurrences)
... earth. He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out
of the rock, oil out of the flinty rock; (See NIV). 2 Samuel ...
/n/nourished.htm - 15k

Overturns (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty rock, and
he overturns the mountains by the roots. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/o/overturns.htm - 7k

Lays (30 Occurrences)
... know it. (WEB). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty rock, and
he overturns the mountains by the roots. (See NIV). Job 30 ...
/l/lays.htm - 13k

Flirting (1 Occurrence)

/f/flirting.htm - 6k

Fruitage (4 Occurrences)
... on the high places of the earth, And he did eat the increase of the field; And he
made him to suck honey out of the rock, And oil out of the flinty rock; (See ...
/f/fruitage.htm - 7k

Roots (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 28:9 He puts forth his hand
on the flinty rock, and he overturns the mountains by the roots. ...
/r/roots.htm - 16k

Ride (31 Occurrences)
... He ate the increase of the field. He caused him to suck honey out of the rock, oil
out of the flinty rock; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/ride.htm - 17k

Chrysoprase (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An apple-green variety of chalcedony, colored by
nickel. It has a dull flinty luster, and is sometimes used in jewelry. Int. ...
/c/chrysoprase.htm - 7k

Flinty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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