As The Great teachings of Gd are interwoven in scripture from Genesis to Revelation, we sometimes use Isaiah’s words to describe a esired method of Bible teaching: “Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isa. 28:10,13). When we look carefully at verse 13, however, we realize that’s not at all what Isaiah is referring to.
Instead the method of divine revelation Isaiah has in mind is part of a punishment upon those who “would not hear” (v. 12) in order “that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken” (v.13). The RSV and other versions make the point even clearer: “…They would not hear. Therefore the word of the LORD will be to them precept upon precept.. .here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward…”
Here a little, there a little
Extended, in-depth exposition of God’s principles would not be presented by the true prophets. Rather, as part of God’s punishment on these unbelievers, His word would be scattered and sporadic, a phrase here and a phrase there. When instruction is presented in such a manner, it becomes very easy for those who do not want right divine instruction to misunderstand the message.
Even today we see the disastrous results of such an approach to scripture. In support of a personal devil, for example, a list of phrases can be collected by taking here a little and there a little. They are taken without the context, of course, but when the selected phrases are all read together they seem to teach the existence of a fallen angel devil. The same approach leads to an impressive list of phrases apparently supporting the trinity or an immortal soul.
As we know from our own Bible study, context is critical in rightly understanding the truth of God’s word. In fact, it’s probably best to teach any fundamental of scripture by first going to a section of scripture where the doctrine in question is a main point in the passage, before using supporting passages. For example:
- The state of the dead is best taught from Genesis 2-3, Ecclesiastes 9 and John 11 before using supporting verses throughout the Psalms, Isaiah and the gospels.
- The nature and person of Christ is clearly revealed in sections of Luke 1 and 22 and is the topic of Hebrews 2. Better develop the point where it is developed in scripture before using supporting verses that can leave an impression of here a little and there a little.
- The same can be said of the origin and cause of sin which is a theme in Genesis 2 and Romans 5-7. Before putting together an impressive string of supporting verses, let us demonstrate the truth from a connected section of verses or chapters.
And when using supporting verses, let us be sure to set the context so that both we and our listeners are assured the scripture is being properly applied. Following a theme throughout scripture is a useful means of Bible study so long as we remember, “Here a little, there a little” is a negative, not a positive approach to Bible study.
Precept upon precept
“Precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line” is also included in God’s punishment on those disdaining Him. Yet surely there is nothing wrong with this time-honored technique for primary instruction. The problem in Judah was that priests, false prophets and most of the populace were not interested in God’s way. They knew the commands as part of the rote learning of elementary schooling (Isa. 29:13), but had no desire to draw near to Him in their hearts.
The first reference to “Precept upon precept…” alludes to the elementary method of instruction Isaiah was forced to adopt to a spiritually immature audience:
Who is it he is trying to teach? To whom is he explaining his message? To children weaned from their milk, to those just taken from the breast? For it is: Do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule; a little here, a little there (Isa. 28:9-10 NIV).
The apostle Paul contributes to this reading of the passage when he cites a portion of Isaiah 28:11-12 in I Corinthians 14:21. He introduces the point with the words: “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.” Typical of the apostle, he does not cite a few words to fit his idea but alludes to the context of his Old Testament citation. Isaiah was referring to those who had not matured in their understanding of divine teaching.
In fact, “they would not hear” the soothing words of true spirituality (Isa. 28:12). Accordingly, God would reinforce their own choice by providing only primary level instruction and would in this way inhibit their growth to mature godliness. Of course, that would be fine with them, as they had no desire to be godly people. “This people draws near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men learned by rote…” (Isa. 29:13 RSV).
Spiritual maturity necessary
If we are to endure the inevitable trials of discipleship, we must develop spiritual maturity. Otherwise, if the spiritual mind has not developed, we find ourselves reacting in carnal, not spiritual, ways to serious situations. We let natural passion, not God’s wisdom, control our decisions; we respond with carnal anger to provocation, rather than with quiet wisdom. As the apostle writes, we need to reach maturity in Christ “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.. .we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head…” (Eph. 4:14-15 RSV).
We do well, as children, to memorize the Lord’s prayer, the beatitudes, the ten commandments, the 23rd Psalm and many other passages of scripture. As adults we do well to let such scriptures roll through our minds. But as we do, they need to become more than verses learned by rote; they need to be filled out into principles of godliness that shape our thoughts, our words and our actions. They need to form our characters.
For example, our recollection of Psalm 23 should carry with it images of David’s life where he walks through the valley of the shadow of death and is saved. It should evoke, as well, images of our own lives where God has led us beside quiet waters.
The commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” should be expanded into, “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need” (Eph. 4:28 RSV), and should mold our determination that what is ours is not for us alone but for all God’s children.
While Bible study with concordance in hand is important to develop such maturity, it is by no means an end in itself. What is critical is a heart that desires to serve God fully and a mind that desires to understand the depths of His love and His ways and to apply that understanding in the trenches of everyday life.
A right reading of Isaiah’s words provides a powerful exhortation that we must grow in grace. Primary instruction in the word of God is good for a start, but we need to go beyond that level if we are to approach “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One