Precept Upon Precept

“Precept upon Precept; Line upon Line” the Lord spoke to me.  I asked the Lord to reveal all that we needed to know about this and the word will be given unto your people.  He said, “Go back and read the scripture before Isaiah 28:10 and a couple after it.  I am going to have you look up the definition of the words precept and line.  [which, I put below the scriptures].  I will show you how to turn what looks bad into good applying this concept with other scriptures. You will then reach your promise land which is all my blessing.” 
Let’s read Isaiah 28:9-12. We will break down each scripture and build it up from the concept of precept upon precept and line upon line.  We will call each scripture a phase, so we will have four phases.  I will make short statement about the ending of verse 9 and 12.  I am saving it for last because they are last in each scripture.
We are to build one another up, edify each other through the word of God, right?  The Lord will always show the truth to convict us and to change our heart, but he will not condemn us.  He uses conviction, not condemnation.  He points these things out to show us where we are weak, or how the enemy comes in on our situations or problems. Verse 9 may touch a soft spot; you’ll see why later.
Isa 28:9  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. 
Isa 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 
Isa 28:11  For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 
Isa 28:12  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. 
Here are the definitions of precept and line.
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Definition of precept by Webster
1:  a command or principle intended especially as a general rule of action
2:  an order issued by legally constituted authority to a subordinate official
 
Definition of Line by Webster
1: a state of agreement or conformity: a state of order, control, or obedience
 
These definitions are to help us understand that every word and direction God takes us in is not only truth but, it has to be followed.  We also need to know that they are saying the same thing.  We will talk about that when we get to the scripture.  Let’s look at an example of precept upon precept, line upon line.
You generally don’t just jump up and say I can fly a plane and land it anywhere I want it to land.  Why?  We know that there is much more to it than just doing it.  We have to study the plane we want to fly.  You may even want to truly consider taking classes on the weather.  You just might want to get someone to teach and train you for all the things you need to learn about flying.  The truth is if we don’t do those things mentioned, we didn’t really apply precept upon precept or line upon line.   We are definitely not going to fly a plane very well, let alone land it by not doing this.  Well, the fact is that God’s word is the same.  His concept is to build us up stronger and stronger in his word and in our faith to believe and receive the promises of God through Jesus.  This very procedure will also give us the ability to minister to others with truth and conviction so that they can receive from the directing of the Holy Spirit just as we did.  This here, my friend, is getting us out of a bad situation- crashing our plane, and turning it for good- landing safely.
 
Phase 1 – Let’s talk about Isa 28:9:  “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.”
This scripture explains everything that is necessary to begin our growth.  “Whom shall he teach knowledge?”  He will teach those who want to receive.  Mat 4:19: “And he saith unto them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  Did you notice the words follow me?  We have to do this. We have to follow God. Why?  It’s the only way we are going to be taught.  Look at this verse in Exodus 20:3: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  This should tell us something as well.  It is very necessary to recognize that there is only one true living God that cares about us.  This says if we rely on any other gods, we will stumble and following the true God will become very difficult. 
Now, notice the next statement of the same verse: “and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?” He will make those who want to receive knowledge to understand what his word says.  Let’s read Mat 6:33 and then we will break it down.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  Read this verse again and realize what it is saying to us.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God.” He is saying follow me by seeking which means getting knowledge from him.  The seekers are the people that he will teach.
“And his righteousness,” This statement says that by taking on his righteousness, we will be able to understand what he is teaching us.  Why?  The Holy Spirit will be directing us towards the truth of his word that we have learned.  This is who will understand the doctrine, those that seek him and his word.
“And all these things shall be added unto you,” This is saying the word will work for us because he taught us by seeking after him and we have allowed the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.  It is added because we weaned our selves off of the milk.  Notice this scripture parallels with verse 9 of Isaiah.  You can now see precept upon precept and line upon line in these two verses by just wanting to follow him. 
Now, for the last statement of verse 9, “them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts,” here is the tough spot I mentioned in the beginning.  We must pick up that bible and begin to read the word or it won’t work for us. The Lord wants us to conquer all things.  He is saying if we stay on the milk (depending on others) it will be difficult to obtain what he has in store for us.  He will give you a revelation and understanding to all areas of life.  This doesn’t mean ignore other ministers; he will use them to deepen something he has already taught you or he may make it clearer in other situations.  You see, the deeper understanding and pointing us in other directions will help us to help others.  Yes, us helping others.  This means you are now entering your mission field of ministry.
We must understand he is going to tug on those who have not even accepted Jesus to give them every opportunity to obtain this as well.  He tugged on us right? It’s no different for them.  Just as he wanted us to come back to him, he wants all his children to come back home to him as well.  This keeps us humble and allows us to help others.
 
Phase 2 - Isa 28:10: “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
He wants us to see a few scriptures that will build us up about this precept upon precept, line upon line.  I also want to point out something else the lord said to me, “I had Isaiah repeat this over and over so we would learn how important understanding every word can be for obtaining your blessing from me.” This is what we do with our children.  We keep teaching with new ways of saying how to do something if they don’t understand it the first time.  We are no different with God’s word.  Here are those scriptures to see this concept in action.  I will let the scriptures speak for themselves for they are his words.
 
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 
Did you see precept upon precept, line upon line in these scriptures?  Every scripture says the same thing but, each one was said a little different.  Each of the books in the bible demonstrates line upon line and precept upon precept. He spoke and taught his word which is knowledge but, the minister who preached it to us and the conviction of the Holy Spirit leads us to understand it.  We are now weaned from the milk and have accepted what we call the meat of the word.  Now, you can tell someone this is true by your own conviction that the word does work.  Now, you have followed him, obtained his righteousness, good things will now be added, and you can spread the gospel.  WOW!  We have just grown right here and right now.  Isaiah 28:9-10, Matthew 4:19 and, Matthew 6:33 each demonstrate precept upon precept, line upon line.
 
Phase 3 - Isa 28:11: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”
This means we may not speak it very well or it may sound strange to someone but, God will get his message out with the conviction of the Holy Spirit and will draw them to him.  He will be able to give them the message and what is needed to be received.  Remember, Moses stuttered and his brother, Aaron, helped him to get the message out.
 
Phase 4 - Isa 28:12: “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.”
This verse is all about how those who hear and receive his word will end up.  They will be in a place of rest.  When you enter into that rest, you will surely be refreshed.  The powerful thing is this, when we get worn down from all the things that have taken our rest from us, we can be restored in this rest by accepting his truth, understanding his truth, and working his truth in our life.  This means we are going to get rid of that bummed and tired life, turn it around and put it into an overcoming, victorious life.  Here is a second one that contains a bit of hardness to it.  Here, in the last part of verse 28, the Lord said through Isaiah, “yet they would not hear.”  Why?  Some are just going to be hard headed.  We were, too.  So, this doesn’t give us a right to be judgmental, it is a time to be a helper.  Look for the doors to be open to speak into the lives of those who need help.  The reason we need to do this is because Jesus did it for us.  He took every opportunity to get the word to us even when we didn’t want to hear it.  Next, everybody wants that better life but, to get that glorious life we have to look to, seek after, God’s word.
 
In closing, this precept upon precept, line upon line is very essential to our victorious life in Christ.  The scriptures are to be used as a sword so we can battle off the enemy’s attacks.  This is what was happening in Isaiah.  People had problems and had gone astray.  God used Isaiah to point them back in the right direction.
 
P.S.  The Lord moved on me and showed me something about “Matt 4: 19 Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
“Follow me” means those who will follow after him like it was mentioned in Phase 1 from this message. He only teaches those who will seek him.
“And I will make you fishers of men” has a 2 fold action meaning within the word fishers.

1. “And I will make you fishers:” Jesus must first teach you his word before he can use you as a fisher of men.  His word will teach you how to fish for men.  Just like our story about the plane mentioned earlier.  To become a real fisher, you must learn about rods and reels, different types of fishing lines, how to put the line on the reel, understand the water conditions, bait, lures, and more.  This helps you to become that fisherman to catch fish and it will help you fish in salt water or fresh water.  Each of these items can tell you what type of fish you want to catch.  Jesus’ word will do the same for you to help others.
   
   
2. “Fishers of men” Now that you become a fisherman you can catch fish.  The same application will work for you in helping God’s men, women, and children.  Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will reveal his word to you. This will help you grow from the softer truths of his word, which is what is called the milk of the word, to stronger truths which is the meat of his word.  Jesus was a fisher for you.  He expects all of us to grow from the milk to the meat to become fishers of men for him.  You see once again precept upon precept, line upon line working in growing from the milk to the meat of the word. The more we seek and meditate the more God will reveal his word to us.

​In His Service
Jason

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