3133.— Falling Backward
By Editor
Will you please explain the meaning of the latter part of Isa. 28:13? Does it mean that in studying according to verse 10 we shall be snared or entrapped? The verse must be taken with the context. Its local application was to the ten-tribed kingdom. They had turned away from God; their very elders had erred through wine or strong drink and were out of the way. God had given them precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little, and yet had pointed out the way of rest and assurance; but they had rebelled against all these things, and so rebelling against God were left without excuse. The thought is not that God ensnares them or entraps them, but by hardening their heart against God they place themselves in a way where they will themselves be ensnared by the enemy. How they are ensnared is shown in the following verses. They said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement." None of the judgments will touch us. But their very assurance proves their destruction. Just as long as men sin against God, and turn away from His precepts, they go on blindly to their destruction and reveal what is in their hearts.