Isaiah
28:14
14 Wherefore hear [shama`] the word [dabar] of the
LORD [Y@hovah], ye scornful [latsown] men ['enowsh], that rule [mashal] this people [`am] which is
in Jerusalem [Y@ruwshalaim]. KJV-Interlinear
14 Therefore hear the word of the
LORD, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! ESV
Why do we have the scriptures? Why do we study them? Then why do so many float on by without any effort
or commitment in looking at, or learning, or daily studying, seemingly
oblivious to the importance of learning doctrine? But here we have the command and the
reprimand and the warning.
Therefore hear.
But no one hears.
No one listens. Doctrine is
within the grasp of everyone, but too many are fogged over within their own
understanding and do not recognize seemingly unable to comprehend, the
importance of spiritual growth.
Hear, ‘shama,’ means of listen, look up, take notice,
focus on what is being said.
Pay attention.
And who is to listen?
Who is to pay attention?
We all are.
Because this life will not last and the next life is going to last for
all of eternity. Something that none of
us can comprehend. And something that
all of us need to be prepared for, but that preparation comes only through the
study of the Word of God, and by no other means.
And this is addressed to scoffers, but who is a
scoffer? Anyone and everyone who
disregards the importance of Bible doctrine.
You don’t have to be openly critical or opinionated against
the Bible in order to be a scoffer. If
you are indifferent, then you scoff. If
you are apathetic, then you scoff. If you see no need for ‘you’ to study, then
you scoff. If you float on by as though
you were a mindless blonde (so to speak), then you scoff. If you hear doctrine, but do not connect the
dots as far as your responsibility as a student of the Word, then you
scoff. If you play the pick and choose
game, deciding on what you will or will not listen to, or will or will not do,
then you scoff.
In short, if you do not dedicate your entire life,
your daily life, to a daily study, which by the way probably takes most folks
just a few minutes out of their day, then you are a disobedient and worthless and
unfaithful, servant of the Lord. Even
being offended at these words is enough to prove these words.
Who rule the people of Jerusalem.
This is directed at all leadership. From national leadership, right down to the
individual person who leads the thinking of their own soul.
In this world, we have not seen a competent or
enlightened national leadership for a very long time. And even if you examined them all, then all
leaders fail in one respect or another.
Certainly in our current day, leadership is at its lowest level,
ethically, morally, and spiritually.
Especially spiritually.
But then who puts these people in power? And that is where the fault lies. The failure is all up and down the scale of
society.
And the failure is there because people do not hear, ‘shama.’
Therefore, trouble will come just as certain as the sun will rise the next
morning.
So, you can number yourself with all of those who
scoff, by doing virtually nothing, or you can change and listen and then learn.
But then the commitment! Oh, the commitment!
Who can possibly commit themselves to a huge commitment
of a five or ten minute study each day?
And then, possibly even think about the daily study at other times
during the day. Is that even possible?
And why?
The blessings are endless when the person dedicates
themselves to a daily study, to spiritual growth, to maturity and the
fulfillment of their meaning and purpose in this life and beyond. Not to mention the rewards of eternity which
are beyond imagination.
But then, who would want all of that and more?
