“For the bed is too short to stretch oneself on, and the covering too narrow to wrap oneself in.” – Isaiah 28:20
Word Pictures
We often use the expression “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I am a firm believer that when it comes to effective teaching, word pictures can drive a point home and leave a lasting impression that words alone can not. Just think of some of Jesus’ classical parables such as the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. These stories put Divine Truth in flesh and blood thereby reaching our minds through our hearts. How can we not feel overwhelmed when the Prodigal son is welcomed home by his father. How can we not feel convicted by the compassion and kindness of the Samaritan, (and a twinge of “righteous” anger towards the priest and Levite). Short stories. Lasting impressions.
In today’s text, Isaiah gives us a word picture that is worth more than a thousand words. Much more. This picture has eternal consequences. Accordingly, we have to put it in its context, or should I say “Frame” it?
Grave Warnings
The Book of Isaiah is filled with both great promises and grave warnings. If the warnings are not heeded, there will be consequences. I believe chapter 28 may be a microcosm of the Book. Judgment awaits God’s people in the form of their enemy, the Assyrians. God has given them a refuge, a foundation in Zion…a sure foundation. Rather than placing their trust in God, God’s people made an unwise pact with Egypt to protect them. God equates it with a “covenant with death” (Verse 18).
Bad Beds
Hence today’s priceless word picture. You have made your bed and now you must lie on it. You will find it woefully inadequate for rest or warmth. A bad choice with eternal consequences? It is for us.
The warnings and promises of Isaiah, aren’t only for the Israelites, they are for all of mankind.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name, Immanuel (God with us).” – Isaiah 7:14
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Because of our sins, judgment awaits. God has given us a means of Eternal Rest by believing in the Messiah.
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” – Romans 9:33
Beware of false hopes. Don’t repeat the mistake of the Israelites. They had become drunk in their pride and spiritually complacent. As a result they made a fatal alliance with Egypt. Do you have a spiritual Egypt? What are you relying on to assure your eternal rest? Church membership? Good works? Moral relativism? (Adolf Hitler is not God’s standard, so being “better” than him is meaningless). These beds are all too short. In fact they are a covenant with death.
Our only means of Salvation is placing our absolute faith in Christ and Christ alone.
Jesus once said, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” – Matthew 8:20
Where did Jesus eventually lay His head? “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished”, and He bowed (laid) down His head and gave up His spirit” (John 19:30).
Jesus wouldn’t “rest” His until He bore the punishment for your sins on the cross. You won’t have rest until you embrace Him. From the manger, to the cross, He was proving Himself a “tested stone”. Quite a picture. Words don’t do it justice. You have to believe in order to truly see it.
“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste’.” – Isaiah 20:16