Rejecting a Simple Message

Scripture: "Who does Isaiah think he is," the people say, "to speak to us like this! Are we little children, barely old enough to talk? He tells us everything over and over again, a line at a time and in such simple words!" But they won’t listen; the only language they can understand is punishment! So God will punish them by sending against them foreigners who speak strange gibberish! Only then will they listen to him! Isaiah 28:9-11

Observation: Isaiah repeats the protests of Israel against his prophesy. They challenge his authority, but also are critical of the language he uses. The implication is that it's simplicity infers it cannot be prophesy from God, for the God would speak more intelligently. The Lord's answer to this is that they are so foolish, that even when spoken to in simple language they don't understand. They won't listen to anything! Therefore, all they can learn from is punishment, and soon the commands they receive will be from foreigners who speak a language they don't know ... these Israel will listen to.

Application: Our message today is SO simple. Out of his love, the Lord provided Jesus Christ as the savior of all mankind, and anyone who believes and places their faith in Jesus will have eternal life. The rejection of this simple message comes in the form of logical challenges. Who is this Lord? Can you prove he created the universe? Why would sacrifice be required? Why does God have rules that alienate some people? What really are sins? If anything about an all-powerful God is true, why wouldn't he just reveal himself?

And the point is ... these are all just protests identical to Israel's protests. They challenge the authority of correction, and reject simply lessons. Yet just like a child, they could never understand the more complex conversations if they cannot understand the simple teachings.

Our society has complex problems, and thinks that unless God comes along with complex solutions then Christianity is wrong and God doesn't even exist. I truly fear for the coming punishments, for I believe that we are only experiencing the tip of the spear now.

Prayer: Lord, may thy kingdom come, and thy will be done. Please, come Lord Jesus, and claim your bride. We are anxious and weary. And yet, we will serve you faithfully, delivering your simple message. Amen.