Oxymoron ~ A figure of speech that combines two usually contradictory terms in a compressed paradox.
Language is such a beautiful thing. It is filled with an organized code of symbols which help us to better understand the world around us, record what we know, and tell others what we want to know. God foresaw that this is how humans will communicate and “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).
God even masterfully manipulated words so that humanity could understand the full breadth of what it is He wanted to say. Sometimes He did this in similes, parables, and other forms of language. One form of literary device, that God uses is Oxymorons.
An oxymoron is when two seemingly Contradictory Terms, when put together, make something make so much more sense. One example of this is when something is “bittersweet.” Bitter doesn’t do this feeling justice and neither does sweetness. Only when the two contradictions are put together, do we see the beauty and reality of such a strong feeling.
One Biblical oxymoron my mind drifts off to can be found in Isaiah 43:19 when God promises a work in Israel so amazing that their will be “rivers in the desert.” God states that He has redeemed His people, Israel, and that with God on their side, they should have no fear.
Saying this, I pray the power of God never becomes a topic cliche in the lives of believers. God is a redeemer. The Lord is Holy. And yes, all that is spoken by God will come to pass. That means that the a desolate land which is eager to kill, will bring forth water that makes life able to be lived.
As Christians, we were once defined by the direction of our dry, desolate hearts until rivers of grace and life flowed through, irrigating the barren wasteland (John 7:38). We live now in the fertile crescent of righteousness and have overflow available for those interesting in having the same (Philippians 1:6-7).
Only God can do such an amazing work and bring it to completion. Yes, I mean, Him making rivers of the deserts of your heart.
Therefore, live life as an oxymoron.
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