“Who does the LORD think we are?” they ask. “Why does he speak to us like this? Are we little children, just recently weaned? He tells us everything over and over—one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there!” So now God will have to speak to his people through foreign oppressors who speak a strange language! God has told his people, “Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.” But they would not listen. So the LORD will spell out his message for them again, one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there, so that they will stumble and fall. They will be injured, trapped, and captured. [Isaiah 28.9-13]
Isaiah's writing here is addressing the underlying current of idolatry in God's people. The reference, "He tells us everything over and over—one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there," is a direct reference to God's Word (Scripture) up to that time. Based on all the cumulative Scripture being referred to—one line at a time, one line at a time, a little here, and a little there, the repeated warnings against idolatry found therein indeed broadly reveal the theme of the Old Testament writings preparing the way for Jesus.
While basic "Sunday School" knowledge may find the transition from Old Testament idolatry to New Testament "Jesus" a difficult task, the true student of the Bible will recognize that the very context of Isaiah's writing above prophesied of Jesus.
Therefore, listen to this message from the LORD, you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem. You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.” Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. [Isiah 28.14-16]
Is it ironic that this prophecy of Jesus says, We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave? This is a direct reference to the benefits offered by Israel's idols, "life" from a source other than God. Why is this noteworthy? Because man's modern idols (man's way) of debt, insurance, medicine and technology today offer the same benefits!
As a matter of pure fact, all of today's One Year Chronological Bible reading addresses Israel's (and Judah's) betrayal of God for idols. It is simply willful ignorance among God's people not to see this fact. But when they finally consider the underlying theme of idolatry (man's way, as revealed when they finally read God's Word in its entirety), Jesus' words take on revelatory meaning:
If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
Further proof that the Old Testament, with all its warnings against idolatry, is preparation for Jesus, is found in Jesus' own words as recalled by John:
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! [John 5.39]
Jesus is God's literal "poster-child" against idolatry. When God's people finally make this connection between Jesus and the Old Testament, the most famous scripture of the Bible unfolds in amazing revelation:
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” [John 3.16-21]
The default judgment upon those who do not believe Jesus is judgment upon idolatry: they do not want to admit their own way of idolatry (trusting anything other than or in addition to God) because they would have to admit it is wrong. So, they avoid "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" Who is Jesus, the Light of the World so as not to expose their idolatry. They love the darkness of their (way-of-man) idols more than the Light of Jesus. In this condition, they are not followers of Jesus (although they may indeed be "religious").
Isaiah, in concert with all the Old Testament writings, and from the platform of God's disdain for man's idolatry, prophesies of Jesus.
Father in heaven, may our eyes and ears be opened to the Truth Who is Jesus. May we be enlightened by Your Word, understanding that "our own way" is the way of idolatry. May we then be found giving up our own way, taking up our cross, and following Jesus. Really. So be it.
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