Bible Reading: Numbers 36; Psalm 80; Isaiah 28; 2 John
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 28:12)
What is God's prescription for the weary to get rest and refreshing? What do you do for rest and refreshing? Do you go on a vacation? Some people go fishing or take a trip. God says in learning knowledge of him and is word is rest and refreshing. However, the Israelites would not hear what God had to say. They did not want to be treated like children. They were upset at the way the prophets instructed them in the way of the LORD. God used words that were used for elementary education to describe the method of Biblical learning:
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: (Isaiah 28:9-10)
We all know that you cannot teach an infant a lot of Bible doctrine. That is why God said they needed to be weaned from the milk in order to learn knowledge. The sad reality is that many of Christ's followers refuse to grow up. The book of Hebrews addresses this:
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12)
Do you want to know God and his word? Then you must allow him to teach you with his prescribed means. He says it will be precept upon precept and line upon line. In other words, it is little bits of knowledge at a time. Like eating a meal, you do not put the whole plate of food into your mouth at once. You take a bit and chew it before you get some more. Learning the Bible takes time. And God says this is the rest and the refreshing.
Are you growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Do you take a little of God's Word into you each and every day? Do you study the Word of God line upon line? Many people want a quick fix to all their problems. They want someone to zap them and make it all alright. However, God says it is here a little and there a little. Growth is a process and you gain a little every time you encounter the Word of God – IF you are humble and prayerfully receive what God has for you.
Want some refreshing? Ask God for help from the Holy Spirit and take up God's word and let him give you knowledge of the Holy!
In Christ,
Rody
