“…listen to this message from the LORD… You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never TOUCH US, for we have built a strong refuge made of LIES AND DECEPTION.” Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, A FIRM AND TESTED STONE (this stone is Jesus Christ). It is A PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE that is SAFE TO BUILD ON. Whoever believes need never BE SHAKEN. I will test you with the measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness. Since your refuge is made of lies, a hailstorm WILL KNOCK IT DOWN. Since it is made of deception, a flood will SWEEP IT AWAY. I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death, and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave. When the terrible enemy sweeps through, you will be trampled INTO THE GROUND. Again, and again that flood will come, morning after morning, day and night, until you are CARRIED AWAY.” This message will BRING TERROR to your people.” (Isaiah 28:14-19)
In context, Isaiah records an indictment by the Lord of the leaders in Jerusalem. He calls them scoffers (Isaiah 28:14). He exposes that they have made a covenant with death and a pact with Sheol (or the grave). They thought that they could avoid the coming judgment and exile by taking refuge in falsehood and trying to conceal themselves with deception (Isaiah 28:15). But God WOULD NOT allow their tactics to be successful. They WOULD NOT avoid judgment. Their covenant with death WOULD BE canceled.
MAKE SURE TO HOLD ON TO OUR PRECIOUS CORNERSTONE, JESUS CHRIST…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham