Bible Reading:
Isaiah 28:5-13
5In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
6And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
8For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
9Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
12To 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.
13But 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.
Devotional:
'Say, Please,' we say to our child. We do not stop if we see no results after twenty-five times. It might be that the twenty-sixth time will bear fruit!
Training should be from birth and must consistently continue throughout life. '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' (28:9). The instruction, correction and admonition required for a frail sinful man to live a productive, consistent and God-honoring life must be taken up by the parent as soon as the infant shows need of learning the lessons of submission and humility! Teachers and church are to follow through. Gradually more and more of the task devolves upon the individual, who must himself bear the responsibility as he matures. It is one continuous process. We call it education in a broad sense. As far as the individual's spiritual growth is involved we call it sanctification.
'Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little' (28:10 and 13). Isaiah repeats his phrases within the verse to demonstrate what he means. Then he even repeats the whole verse, so we can have no excuse for misunderstanding! Repetition is one of the most important keys in the learning process. Never may we be ashamed of it. Patience, tact, understanding and firmness are required on the part of the parent as he trains his child. Similar qualities are required on the part of the maturing adult as he continues his self-discipline. But it is God's way, the way God has used with His frail children all through the years, the method He patiently uses with His frail children today.
This is not a gloomy and monotonous syndrome. This is, really, one of the exciting things about the Christian life! New doors of learning and living are continually opening. They will continue to open until we walk through the gates of heaven itself. Even then we shall surely grow in our knowledge and appreciation of God and His glory through eternity.
We are happy to have obtained permission to post as our current daily devotional Heirs Together of Life: Daily Bible Reading for Husbands and Wives, published by The Banner of Truth Trust. Don't be misled by the subtitle. As the book's "Preface" indicates (see below), although Heirs Together of Life is "especially prepared for couples,"the authors declare, "Since the basis for this guide is God's Word, we believe it would have value for any reader."
Charles and Norma Ellis are husband and wife and the authors not only of Heirs Together of Life (which was first published in 1980 and continues in print today), but also of Wells of Salvation (first published in 1985, and likewise still in print today). The latter contains a series of short studies covering the entire book of Isaiah, while the former contains a series of almost 200 short studies covering the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Both books by the Ellises can be ordered from the publisher, The Banner of Truth Trust. We trust that these daily Bible readings, posted daily on our site, will be helpful to you in your Christian walk before God. Whether married or not, all of us are members of families and members of the family of God.
Charles Ellis was educated at Wheaton College and Westminster Theological Seminary. Upon graduation from Westminster (where he earned not only a Th.B. but also a Th.M.), he was ordained to the ministry in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and pastored a number of OPC churches, including Immanuel OPC in West Collingswood, New Jersey; First OPC in Cincinnati, Ohio; Covenant OPC in East Orange, New Jersey; Knox OPC in Silver Spring, Maryland; and Lakeview OPC in Rockport, Maine. Less biographical information is available about his wife, but it is known that they served as parents of seven children. After retiring from the ministry, Charles Ellis went to be with the Lord in 2003, but he and his wife left us with a beautiful legacy in the two books they have given to the world, and we are proud to share the daily Bible readings from Heirs Together of Life here with you.
© 2024 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church