Here a little, and there a little . . .

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isaiah 28:9-13 KJV)

Verse 29 appears to be Isaiah giving voice to his adversaries in a rhetorical question – aren’t they the priests? Doesn’t Isaiah understand they do understand doctrine? The looked upon Isaiah as being nitpicky, one precept on another, one line upon another – without understand that Isaiah was giving them God’s word.

God’s word should give the weary rest. It should be refreshing. It should provide freedom, just as Jesus tells us:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

Yes, there is a yoke to help us go where we need to go. Yes, there is a burden for us to carry as well as a goal to achieve. It is worth it! We do however, need to be aware that not all leaders are equal, just as Isaiah explains. It’s just as true in the New Testament as in the Old:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-8 KJV)

There is only one who came to seek and save us. Only one who died for our sins. Only one who is worthy:

Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. (Revelation 5:12 KJV)

No matter how good your preacher, teacher, spiritual leader is, there is only one who is worthy of not only of adoration, but came to save sinners:

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15 KJV)

Paul acknowledges his sinfulness just after he praises Christ:

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (1 Timothy 1:12 KJV)

Paul literally gave his life to and for that ministry. I do not know what your ministry is, but I’d love to hear about it – what it is, how you came to it and how our Lord work in it. You don’t have to Comment publicly – drop an e-mail if you wish. I will join you in prayer for your ministry.