George Warnock — Bibliology
b4 — The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall
Bible Reading and Exposure to the Word
Warnock discusses the significance of Paul’s command “Give attendance to reading” (1 Tim. 4:13):
“Simply in reading the Word with an open heart one is exposing himself to the power and to the authority of that Word, unaware as you may be of this at the time.”
(Source: George H. Warnock, “The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall,” hyssop1b.html, section “Give attendance to reading”)
Warnock relativizes the requirement of immediate understanding:
“Many times we find ourselves reading some very beautiful Scriptures that carry with them a living Word; but its true benefit may not come to us until weeks, or months, or years later.”
(Source: ibid.)
Interpretation: Warnock frames Bible reading in an experiential context — the operation of the Word does not depend on conscious comprehension, but on exposure with an open heart. This is a hermeneutical position that presupposes the Spirit as the active bearer of the Word.
The Word as Rain and Snow — Authority and Operation
Drawing on Isa. 55:9, Warnock describes the authority of God’s Word:
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Nevertheless, we must be faithful to minister the Truth. For it will serve its purpose.”
(Source: George H. Warnock, “The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall,” hyssop1b.html, section “As the rain and as the snow”)
Warnock cites Isa. 55 to illustrate the inevitable power of God’s Word:
“God goes on to explain that His Word is like the rain that comes down from heaven, It will water the earth and flow back into the rivers and oceans from which it came in the first place. It is not really lost.”
(Source: ibid.)
Interpretation: Warnock links the authority of Scripture to God’s sovereignty over His own Word — regardless of the hearer’s receptivity, the Word achieves its purpose.
Hermeneutics: the Spirit as Key to Scripture
Warnock articulates a pneumatological hermeneutic in the section on the “little book” of Rev. 10:
“There are many things in that precious Book that remain hidden and obscure until the Spirit of God is prompted from the Throne to bring them forth.”
(Source: George H. Warnock, “The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall,” hyssop2b.html, section “Take the little book, and eat it”)
On the continuing work of the Spirit after the close of the canon:
“The Holy Spirit did not return to the Throne after He had inspired the writing of the last book of the New Testament canon, but He continues to abide in His Temple… and continues to reveal the Father, to reveal Truth, to unfold ‘many things’ that people were not able to bear in times past.”
(Source: ibid.)
Interpretation: Warnock distinguishes the inspiration of Scripture (completed with the canon) from the ongoing illumination by the Spirit. This is a hermeneutical principle: the Spirit is necessary for understanding Scripture, but does not add new revelation beyond the Bible.
Eating the Word — Internalization as Hermeneutical Process
Drawing on Rev. 10:10, Warnock describes “eating” the Word as a hermeneutical principle:
“And he took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.” (Rev. 10:10)
(Source: George H. Warnock, “The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall,” hyssop2b.html, section “Take the little book, and eat it”)
Warnock interprets this as a call to the end-time people:
“It is only in the EATING of the Word that God would bring forth in this hour that clear, sanctified, pure and holy Word that proceedeth directly from the throne of God.”
(Source: ibid.)
On the nature of the sweet-bitter:
“David said that God’s Word was sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Now so-called ‘end-time Truth’ is the same Truth that Jesus WAS when He was here; for He is the Truth.”
(Source: ibid.)
Interpretation: Warnock uses the prophetic eating motif (cf. Ezek. 3:1-3; Jer. 15:16) as a hermeneutical model: the Word must not merely be studied but assimilated — an existential identification with the Truth.
Scripture Understanding Requires Humility
Drawing on Isa. 66:1-2, Warnock argues that the Word demands a humble posture:
“But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my Word.” (Isa. 66:2)
(Source: George H. Warnock, “The Hyssop that Springeth Out of the Wall,” hyssop1b.html, section “He spake of the cedar… and the hyssop”)
Warnock contrasts this with striving for “big things”:
“God dwells in the high and holy place… yet also with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” (cf. Isa. 57:15)
(Source: ibid.)
Interpretation: Warnock connects hermeneutics with spiritual posture — only those who tremble at the Word receive its revelation. Scripture understanding is not primarily intellectual but existential.