Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias
Introducing a new concept here on AFF. Not sure if it will go over, but here goes:
Those of you who teach or preach, please expound on the following verse:
Isa 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Not looking so much for a debate or anything, just for your insight into the meaning and application of this scripture text. Not looking for a quick opinion, either, but an actual 'teaching' on this verse. Doesn't have to be a 2 hour sermon, but something more than just a 'well, it means what it says. Amen!' kind of presentation, knowhuttamean? |
Three things from this verse that is very clear and simple is:
1. The need to know the truth. ( law and to the testimony )
2. Measure what you are told by what you know is true. ( if they speak not according to this word)
3. Reject that which does not line up with the truth as false. ( it is because there is no light in them )
Notice both the warning and the encouragement offered in the passage
1. The need to know the truth. ( law and to the testimony )
We are not left up to our faulty since of what is right and what is wrong. We are not forced to try and figure things out or left simply to the mercy of any man's changing whim or opinon. Rather we have been give all the true standard and measureing of truth, the Word of God. In the scripture this is pointed out by the words Law and the Testimony. These were things that had been given directly to Israel from God. They knew that God had first written the laws on the tablet of stone with His own finger then because of Moses reaction of anger to Israel's idolatry the stone tablet was broken and had to again be made. They knew the delivering power of Gdo on their behalf in the past. These were the things that God was pointing to and telling them to look there for truth.
In much the same way Jesus speaking in John reiterates this point of pointing to known truth as a way of finding your bearings.
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
In Isa.8 the chapter is about the fall of one power and the invasion of another. Those were terbulent, confusing times. Timeswhen there were many voices coming frome many different directions all claiming the truth. In such times there is great danger of messing up or of losing your way but notice in both
Isa. 8 and in John hope is offered by knowing the truth. If a person knows the truth and is familar with the truth they will not so easily swallow a lie.
The time to become familar with the truth is not during the confusion but before and this is brough out in both Isa.8 and in
John 8. In
Isa. 8 God points back to the law and the testimony both things that had been recieved and available for learning. In
John 8 Jesus says, ye shall know the truth. This is not speaking of something you need to go learn during the confusion but something that during confusion is already known and gives direction. My mom used to tell us when we started dating to set bounbaries before you find yourself in a compromising situation so that you will already have the limits and safegaurds in place not to be compromised. It is easier to thing clearly before the confusion hits than during.