Watch Thomas Watson video here.
Orators in imagery uses word pictures to explain, entertain, and delight. A gifted speakers doesn’t say, “I help people see clearly.” He says, “I am the light of the world.” He doesn’t say, “Fist fights get out of hand quickly.” He says, “A quarrel is like opening a floodgate.” He doesn’t say, “Chasing a wicked woman will get you in trouble.” He says, “Pursuing a harlot is like an ox going to slaughter.”
Jeremiah described rebellious Israel as a donkey sniffing the wind (Jer. 2:24). David said God’s words are sweeter than the prized drippings of a honeycomb (Ps. 19:10). King Solomon compared a scoundrel’s words to a runaway forest fire (Pr. 16:27) and a king’s anger to a lion’s roar (Pr. 20:2). These metaphors and hundreds more in Scripture help people understand the nature of God, the depths of their sin, the purpose of life, and the grandeur of Jesus.
Jesus was the master at imagery, using robbers, crops, weddings, spices, animals, coins and kings to explain the truth. In church history, one of the giants of word pictures was Thomas Watson, who learned that while he preached from the Bible, he could also paint with his words.
