Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

This week I shall endeavor to compare physical growth with spiritual growth. Jesus said we must be born again, first born of water and then of the spirit. There are scriptural references to growth which relates physical growth with spiritual growth. Let us see what we can discover here.

Mother’s milk is not meant to teach knowledge. While scripture does talk about the milk of the Word it does not imply what kind of milk in particular. It’s just milk. So I ask, does it matter? Is there a difference between mother’s milk and any other kind? If we are to compare the physical with the spiritual, let us begin here with Isaiah 28:9 where it implies that mother’s milk is not meant for knowledge.

What exactly does mother’s milk do physically? What does mother’s milk do spiritually?

The first thing I think of is availability. The first opportunity for physical growth come right from the mother. Mothers are with the child constantly and have the most influence. That bonding connection is made and the child gains the benefit without understanding. In the same way in the spirit, there is a bonding which the reborn enjoy and have without understanding.

Mother’s milk provides antibodies that protect the physical babe in ways the child can never comprehend, and happens with no effort on their part except to be nurtured. In that same manner those earliest spiritual words protect the reborn in ways we do not understand. It is God at work, protecting us in ways we are not aware.

I could add that a mother’s spiritual instruction while a child is in developmental stages before they come to an age of accountability are invaluable. That would not strictly meet the comparative we seek here since rebirth had not yet occurred.

Do you see anything else spiritual in mother’s milk? If so, please share.

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Seven is the number of completion. I thought it good to complete this ashes series with this verse from Isaiah. My point being that the Lord might be glorified. We have explored God’s Word in Leviticus 6 and in that we have had some very fruitful discussion. To this end, to this completion, let the Lord be glorified.

I do not expect everyone to “get it”. I pray that everyone could receive something, no matter what it might be, from the Lord. While we all have different gifts and different training, and different needs, it is the same Lord which lives in each of His believers.

I love the transitional phrasing here in Isaiah 61:3. Beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, praise for heaviness where He takes and transform us from one state unto another. While the transformation is significant and life giving, it pales in comparison to the fact the Lord did it. Let Him be glorified.

Have you given your life to the Lord? If you have, you know in part. We know in part because transformation is transitional. We are not perfected in a moment. We will be perfected at completion, just not yet.

If you haven’t given your life to the Lord, I pray you will. This world has turned into a promise of instant gratification. How long did it last? Please do not tell me it is instant and therefor satisfying. Anything that comes instantly can disappear instantly. I call it fleeting. Always chasing and never coming to a lasting satisfaction.

Proverbs 27:20 Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.

The Lord is my satisfaction. He can be yours also.