Face Set Like A Flint

For the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. (Isaiah 50:7)

Flint is a rock "made up of such minute crystals that its crystalline nature is only vaguely revealed even microscopically," and though it is not exactly known how it is formed it is found inside of brittle rock like limestone and chalk.* Compared to the limestone and chalk rock the flint would be much harder, but not too hard as it could be cracked to make tools and weapons. Flint struck against metal or other rocks like pyrite creates a spark that can be used to start a fire. Perhaps the writer is saying he is setting his face hard as a rock, or like a weapon, or set ready to start a fire? We read further and get a hint, "let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have from my hand: you shall lie down in torment." (Isaiah 50:10-11) He has set his path and is determined to not stray, to trust, and walk in the light of the fire kindled by God.

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Jesus was life and that life is the light of the world. (John 1:4) It is believed Isaiah is prophesying of Jesus, "I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near..." (Isaiah 50:6-7) Jesus set his face like a flint. "He did not commit sin nor was deceit found in his mouth, when reviled (criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner), he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:22-23) He set his face like a flint because the Father had a purpose for him, even before he created the world, one which sparked a fire. A light in the darkness, let him who walks in darkness trust in the name of the Lord.

... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

We have been chosen in Christ, and have a purpose, "just as he chose us in him before the creation of the world, to be holy, blameless in his presence in love." (Ephesians 1:4) We should be determined like Jesus was in such a purpose, in our struggle against evil and sin. “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). The shame of dying on a cross did not deter him from accomplishing that which God purposed in Him, that he would lead many sons to glory which is why he became like his brethren, flesh, and blood, thus for the joy set before him he endured. He set his face like a flint and he was not put to shame.

do you not know all who run in the stadium compete but only one receives the prize? so run so that you may win all. Now the one contending to exercise self-control in all, they do it to receive a perishable wreath but we do it for an imperishable one. (1 Corinthians 9:24–27)

The life of the believer is not a passive one, it requires setting our faces like flint. The apostle Paul uses the analogy that it is like running a race with our eyes set on the prize (1 Corinthians 9:24–27). The earthly athlete needs to exercise self-control if he wants to compete for a perishable crown, he needs to train and discipline his body, bring it under control. The Greek word for "exercise self-control" is ἐγκρατεύομαι (enkrateuomai) used in the Bible with a literal meaning of exercising dominion.* We are new creations in Christ, born of the Spirit that inhabits a body in which sin dwells and evil is near. Our fight is against spiritual forces and sin. (Ephesians 6:12, Hebrews 12:4) In our fight, we need to set our faces like a flint, to exercise dominion.

"finally grow strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength. Put on the armor of God so that you have power to stand against the schemes of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Be determined to fight the good fight of faith, to run the race set before us. "Not that I have obtained it or reached my goal but I press on if also to make it my own likes Christ has made me his own. Now, this one thing I do, forgetting that behind and reaching out ahead, I press on toward the goal to the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14). Because Christ has laid hold of us, called us to a heavenly calling, to exist holy, blameless in his presence in love, let us live with this purpose, determined, let us set our face like a flint.

“My great object is to lead you to love him who so loved you that he set his face like a flint in his determination to save you. O ye redeemed ones, on whose behalf this strong resolve was made,—ye who have been bought by the precious blood of this steadfast, resolute Redeemer, come and think awhile of him, that your hearts may burn within you, and that your faces may be set like flints to live and die for him who lived and died for you!” -“The Redeemer’s Face Set Like a Flint,” by Charles H. Spurgeon.

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