Connect Isaiah 28:18 with New Testament teachings on Christ as our true foundation. Setting the Scene in Isaiah 28 - Isaiah confronts leaders in Jerusalem who feel secure because of their own political deals—described as a “covenant with death.” - They believe their self-made agreements will shield them from invading armies and divine judgment. A Broken Covenant Exposes False Foundations Isaiah 28:18: “Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with Sheol will not stand. When the overflowing scourge sweeps through, you will be trampled down by it.” - Human promises that deny God’s authority crumble when trial comes. - The image of an “overflowing scourge” underlines how inevitably judgment tests every foundation. The Divine Antidote: A Cornerstone in Zion Just two verses earlier, God declares His alternative: Isaiah 28:16: “See, I will lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a firm foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.” - God Himself provides a secure, immovable base that contrasts sharply with failed human covenants. Christ in the New Testament: The Cornerstone Fulfilled - Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11 – Jesus identifies Himself as the stone rejected by builders, now the chief cornerstone. - Romans 9:33 – Paul links Isaiah 28:16 to faith in Christ, contrasting it with self-righteous efforts. - 1 Peter 2:6-7 – Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16, urging believers to rest on Christ rather than stumble over Him. - Ephesians 2:20 – “…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.” - 1 Corinthians 3:11: “For no one can lay a foundation other than the One already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” From Fragile Agreements to Firm Foundations - Isaiah 28:18 exposes every “Plan B” we devise apart from God—religious, political, or personal. - The New Testament shows Jesus as God’s only secure plan; all other ground is sinking sand (cf. Matthew 7:24-27). - Trusting Christ means abandoning confidence in our own deals, achievements, or systems to save us. Key Takeaways • Any foundation built without God will eventually be swept away. • God provided a single, tested cornerstone—Jesus Christ—to give absolute security. • Believing in Him moves us from annulled covenants of death to everlasting life and stability. |
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