Behold, I Lay In Zion For A Foundation A Stone, A Tried Stone, A Precious Corner Stone, A Sure Foundation - Part 2347

"If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified." (I Peter 4:14)

Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord saith, "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." (Isaiah 28:9)

On the New Testament side, those who are weaned from the milk desire in their hearts the meat of the Word -- the Bread of Life. And quite often are seen in continual study of the Word to "shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15) 

 Moreover, from Hebrews, we understand in moving forward from the principles of the doctrine of Christ (which include repentance from dead works, and faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment), we are to go on unto perfection. "And this will we do, if God permit." (Hebrews 6:1-3)

But as Isaiah alludes, there are those who are unfit (heavily intoxicated with the things of this world) to teach the Lord's knowledge and wisdom to His people. And sadly, if still permitted will lead the people into error. Therefore, these will not understand the One and Only Absolute Truth that sets them free, nor the Giver of blessings who continually sustains them in their day to day. In this context, we can glean a lesson from the Lord's instruction through another prophet -- "My people perish for lack of knowledge!" (Hosea 6:4)

Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites were often in this wilderness place -- unteachable, even though the Lord through His prophets attempted to speak into their ears. And historically, we are now privy to the results of a nation ignoring the Lord's wisdom and counsel. But it did not have to be this way then, nor does a famine of the Word in the land have to be the cause of our destruction now. 

In fact, as we know from the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the arm of the Lord has been revealed -- behold, the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world. His Name JESUS -- the Great I AM who willingly shed His precious, holy blood on a cross to become our Saviour. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Titus 4:4-7; Revelation 1:8; Acts 2:36-41; Acts 20:28)

Thus, when we accept the Word made flesh who dwelt among us and further behold His glory, we "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [consequently] ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" (I Peter 3:13-15)

 

Returning to Isaiah's prophecy, the Lord offers hope to a people still afar off. "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)

"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, "Lord, who hath believed our report?" So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, "Have they not heard?" Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:16-19)

Wherefore, as Isaiah writes, "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."

Nevertheless, 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) "The Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength ..." (Isaiah 62:8-10)

And now, in this current dispensation of grace, we are able to praise the Lord with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and drink the new wine "in the courts of My holiness." His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us.

Stand in the offering plate.