Education

There are some 70 references to instruction in the Bible, and 260 verses refer to teaching. At least 18 distinct Hebrew and Greek words are used in these passages.

One reason why God saved the people of Israel was so that He might instruct them, Deut. 4:36; 32:10. The Hebrew word here is the common OT word for the chastising of children. A similar reason is given for the salvation of men in the present age, Tit. 2:11, 12. The Greek word for teaching means discipline.

God teaches men by giving His Holy Spirit, who instructed Israel, Neh. 9:20, and who teaches Christians, John 14:26; 16:13; cf. Psa. 32:8. God also calls men as teachers, 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4: 11, and He leads in the establishing of schools, 2 Tim. 2:2; cf. 2 Ki. 2:3-18.

Believers are admonished to receive instruction from the Lord, Prov. 8:10; Jas. 1:21. For Israel, failure to do so carried the danger that the Lord would depart from them, Jer. 6:8; Prov. 5:7-13. God’s people are to apply their hearts to what is taught, Prov. 23: 12, and to put the teaching into action, Jas. 1:22.

Rewards promised to instructed believers include prudence and knowledge, Prov. 1:3-6. Instruction is better than riches, Prov. 8:10-12. It brings life and favor with God, Prov. 8:33-35; 9:11.

William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible, (Chicago: Bible Institute Colportage Assoc., 1912), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Education”.

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