[ Bottom of Page ]

By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book...

Myself, I think it is intended that precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little for the good of those to be taught knowledge and made to understand doctrine. Spiritual is to be compared with spiritual (Jos 1:8; Ps 1:2; Acts 17:11). My understanding is that Isaiah 28:10 shows a way that is intended for the good of God’s people. 

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

To show I am not alone in this understanding, Matthew Henry comments on this by saying: “...For our instruction in the things of God it is requisite that we have precept upon precept and line upon line, that one precept and line should be followed, and so enforced by another; the precept of justice must be upon the precept of piety, and the precept of charity upon that of justice. Nay, it is necessary that the same precept and the same line should be often repeated and inculcated upon us, that we may the better understand them and the more easily recollect them when we have occasion for them. Teachers should accommodate themselves to the capacity of the learners, give them what they most need and can best bear, and a little at a time, De 6:6-7.” 

Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

Also, notice that Isaiah 28:12 says, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. If they would hear, they would be blessed. The word ought to be our delight (Ps 1:2; 19:7-11; 40:8; 119:70, 77, 174; Rom 7:22). Further, God writes the law on the heart, and teaches His people to fear Him, that they would persevere in the things of God (Pr 16:6; Jer 32:40). To one there is a savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. To the one there is blessing with precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; but to another a curse from precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.

Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psalms 119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

Psalms 119:77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

Psalms 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Jeremiah 32:40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

There are those that God is displeased with, as I understand, and to them (Isa 28:11,13) the word of the LORD is 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 (Isa 28:13). To one there is a savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. Such ones were hearers only and not doers of the word. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness (Eze 33:31). Such ones made a mock of the things of God and how they were presented to them, thinking it an affront to them, for they knew many words, but did not understand.

Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

Isaiah 28:13 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.

Ezekiel 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.

Again, for example to show others hold this understanding, I refer to Matthew Henry: “They would not heed. It was unto them precept upon precept, and line upon line (Isa 28:13); they went on in a road of external performances; they kept up the old custom of attending upon the prophet’s preaching and it was continually sounding in their ears, but that was all; it made no impression upon them; they had the letter of the precept, but no experience of the power and spirit of it; it was continually beating upon them, but it beat nothing into them. Nay, It should seem, they ridiculed the prophet’s preaching, and bantered it.”

Bible Study Letters

A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

[ Home Page ] [ Main Menu ]

Bob Krajcik
[ Bible Study Letters ]
 Your Comments Welcomed
Your Privacy Respected
Send Your Comments, Questions,
Praise Reports or Prayer Requests

[ Top of Page ]