"But when He sees His children, the work of Mine hands in the midst of Him, they shall sanctify My Name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that erred in s/Spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine," referring to those who err in vision, and stumble in judgment. (Isaiah 29:23-24; Isaiah 28:7)
Herein, the Lord goes on to ask, "Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that He weaned from the milk, and drawn from the beasts. 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." (Isaiah 28:9-16)
Note, as Jesus states, these would not hear His Word "because My Word hath no place in you." (John 8:37)
Continuing in Isaiah, "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. Wherefore, hear the Word of the Lord, ye scornful men that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves." Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste." (Isaiah 28:9-16)
Jesus refers to this same scripture in the temple, when the chief priests and the elders of the people ask Him "By what Authority doest Thou these things? and who gave Thee this Authority?" (Matthew 21:23-24) Note what Jesus said unto them -- "Did ye never read in the scriptures, the Stone which the builders rejected, the Same is become the Head of the corner; this is the Lord's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes? (Matthew 21:42)
And, in Mark as well, "Have ye not read this scripture? The Stone which the builders rejected is become the Head of the corner? This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" (Mark 12:10-11)
In Luke too: "What is this then that is written, The Stone which the builders rejected, the Same is become the Head of the corner?" (Luke 20:17)
Note that Peter declares this same message again to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple, and to the Sadducees in Acts, stating, "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the Stone which was set at nought of you builders which is become the Head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY YE MUST BE SAVED." (Acts 4:10-12)
This message further clarified in Romans -- "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the Law of righteousness, hath not attained to the Law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law, for they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written, "Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling Stone and Rock of offence; and whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:30-33)
You see, they being ignorant of God's righteousness went about to establish their own righteousness, having not submitted unto the righteousness of God. Granted, as Peter duly notes, they had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For as the scripture so clearly states, "Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Romans 10:4)
Therefore, whosoever believes on Him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:11)
"For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
It is for this reason that we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, because through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18-19)
Through the Name of Jesus, we are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone] in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)
To take this full circle, Peter further elaborates in I Peter 2:2-8:
"As newborn babes, desiring the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed [rejected] of men, but chosen of God and precious, ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, wherefore, also, it is contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and He that believes In Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe He is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, "the Stone which the builders disallowed, the Same is is made the Head of the corn, and a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offence," even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient whereunto also they were appointed."
But ye who believe in Jesus by faith, ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light, which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." (I Peter 2:9-10; Hosea 1:9-10; Hosea 2:23)
The reason God delivered us His free gift of salvation? As Jesus so clearly said, "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." (Acts 26:18)
Yes, to those who believe, Jesus is our all in all, the dayspring from on high who visited His people.
Stand in the offering plate.
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