Tuesday: Moses and the Prophets
Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17. What do these texts teach us about the role of Scripture in Christian education?
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
The word for the first part of the Bible, the Torah, is sometimes translated as “the Law,” partly because there are many laws in these books. But Torah really means “teaching” or “instruction.” This understanding is very different from what many think the “law” in the Bible is about, namely, rules and regulations that we have to follow to remain in God’s good graces. Not so; the law is intended as teaching material dealing with how to live life successfully and safely in the covenant relationship God intended when He created us in the first place.
The next two sections of the Hebrew Bible, the prophets, report on how well God’s people mastered this educational material and lived by it (the former prophets, or historical books), and what they ought to have learned from this educational material (the latter prophets). The remaining part of the Old Testament (called the “writings” in Hebrew) is full of examples of successful and less-successful teachers and students along with their educational experiences. Examples of educational success in these books would be Esther, Ruth, Daniel, and Job. Among the failures would be Job’s four friends. Of course, the book of Psalms is a hymnbook, but even it has at least three educational psalms: Psalm 1, Psalm 37, and Psalm 73.
The Gospels abound with materials intended for educational purposes, especially in the parables of Jesus. Many of Paul’s letters begin with a strong gospel proclamation, but end with educational material, practical lessons about daily life for Christians. The book of Revelation is full of educational material. For example, the whole disclosure, or unrolling of the future of Christ’s church, is revealed in a book that only the Lamb of God – Jesus, the Master Teacher – can open (Rev: 5:1-5).
| Some may say that not all the teaching material in the books of Moses applies in our time, and that is correct. Deuteronomy 17:14-20, the instruction regarding kings, has some very explicit instructions about the selection of someone to hold the royal office. Today, of course, we do not appoint any kings in our church. How do we determine the proper application of all this teaching material in Scripture for our time? |
(28)
It is often said that the only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history. And one could be excused for thinking that when you read the history of the Hebrew people in the Bible. Time and time again God sent prophets and leaders to teach them and repeatedly they would first agree and then back they would go to their old ways. They were even sent into exile, but still they persisted in going there own way.
They were described as "stiff-necked":
I have had stiff-necked students. and know something of dealing with those who resist all attempts to teach them. It is frustrating and in a class of 30 odd students and a couple of stiff-necked ones, you tend to give up on them and concentrate on the good ones.
The big lesson from the Bible as history is that God never gives up, even on the stiff-necked ones.
Even for the stiff-necked there is a ray of hope though. I do believe God gives up on those who continually reject Him. 2Thessalonians 2:9-12. It is by His grace and mercy that He does not give up until Christ comes in the air. 2Thessalonians 2:8.
Just as the darnel (weeds resembling wheat)(those who remain with stiff-necks) is gathered and burned with fire, so it will be at the close of the age.
Matthew 13:40 AMPC
So how do a stiff-necked people come under this grace and mercy, before He comes in the air? By surrender, and doing what was advised of the docile(teachable).
So then, brethren, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions and instructions which you were taught by us, whether by our word of mouth or by letter.
2Thessalonians 2:15 AMPC
When I hear someone say - oh, that part of the Word of the LORD doesn't apply anymore - I feel uncomfortable. I remember Paul's words to Timothy that all Scripture is useful to teach me how to live. So I thought let me dig a little deeper and see what gems I could find in the instructions for kings in Deut 17:14-20.
Firstly having kings - humans - over His people was not the LORD's original plan, He wanted His people to learn from Him directly. However if one is called to be a leader among a small or large group of His people then these instructions apply.
Do not accumulate wealth - rely on the LORD to supply your needs.
Do daily, personally, consult the Word of the LORD for guidance.
In the moments I studied the lesson for today I was able to get a brief synapsis of the entire bible from Genesis to Revelation. At my age I get bored easily and with the author of the lesson breaking down the lesson study so that I 'got it' really put me in a good place whereby I can be able to explain this to someone who is really searching for answers. Notice how 'the laws and prophets', old and new testament came in place?
The Bible contains information that is timeless. Learning from God through His Word is always wise!
How do we determine which teaching material of the Torah applies to our time? A general answer would be found in today's lesson. If it is necessary in light of the cross to teach us how to live life successfully and safely in the covenant relationship God intended when He created us in the first place. If you prefer, we don't need any longer the teachings that pointed to the Cross. We still need all the teachings of how to live life successfully in a covenant relationship with Christ. For instance, the pastor does not wash his hands in the bowel outside the temple inside the court, representing baptism. Now we are in Christ through the baptism of the water and the Spirit. Because He died once for all.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:4-10 NKJV
Knowing the importance of the role of scripture in Christian education doesn't always result in actually implementing it in an effective manner. Intention is not enough of itself.
Regarding the use of scripture in education, there are many passages that make this importance clear. Psalm 119 highlights this necessity throughout many of its 176 verses. We also have the book of Deuteronomy and the Proverbs, both with the focus on the importance of God's truth and how to implement it for knowledge and practice “in all your ways”.
It is true that God gave instructions for that which He did not wish for His people to follow, such as having a king, but He was willing to instruct them so that their foolishness would not mislead them so thoroughly. Yet their history shows these instructions were not followed. However I would disagree that the Word given through Moses does not all apply to our lives at any time in history, including today. We must see the Truth in the details of how it was to be applied in specific situations. For example, we still study the types and shadows to learn Truth, though we know they are not for our practice today (though some have come to include them as important to follow even today). There is also relevant truth to be found in the instructions for appointing a king. I've yet to find anything in God's word that would be safe to delete.
"However I would disagree that the Word given through Moses does not all apply to our lives at any time in history, including today."
Robert thanks for pointing that out. Let me clarify what I was thinking by teachings that pointed to Gods plan of salvation. I ment it is the ceremony, or if you prefer the method of teaching the Word given to Moses that is no longer necessary.
Yes studying the ceremonial laws that were done away with at the Cross has applicable fodder to building our relationship with Christ, bringing us to a fuller understanding of the Truth(Christ)("I am the Way the Truth and the Life")
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 1 Tim 2:15-16
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.... 1 Tim 2:23-26.
For a long time I haven't read someone explaining the bible in a few paragraphs that is so meaningful and to the point. Timothy was a young man when Paul met him. A young man of the Torah/bible. He grew up with his grandmother who taught him the scriptures. 2 Tim 1:5. Being young and knowing the scriptures Paul strong advise to him was penned in the text above.
When the Lord gave Moses the Torah he was supposed to teach the people not only about their spirituality but the bible is a guide or text book for our everyday life. It is for our spiritual, physical, mental, social/emotional wellbeing. Many pay/spent hundreds/thousands of dollars to the doctors, educational councilors, financial councilors, marriage councilors, social councilors, etc etc on how to live in this present world, when and only if we go to God first and not last and tell him all of our problems and seek answers from him.
Whenever their is a recession some financial councilors go bankrupt. I always ask myself, how is it some advice others on how to spend while they themselves go bankrupt?
Moses as a leader and a teacher was given 5 different laws: civil, memorial, health, ceremonial and statues & judgments. What do these laws teach us today by only using the bible? He had the mandate to teach the people about the 5 laws all being as equal as each other. What about us, do we as good teachers teach the people from the bible and explain to them the ways of God. Many see the bible as 'do' and 'dont' because they dont know the true sense of the bible as explained by the author. Getting to know and experience the bible is a wonderful thing. David said- thy word is a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. When the bible becomes such to us we will not stumble.
Solution- Study the bible for ourselves, meditate on a passage during the day. If we like dramas, many are found in the bible, if we like news, many are found in the bible. The good news of Jesus. If we like money, the bible tells us how to acquire plenty. If we are struggling in our marriage, the bible show us people who were struggling with their marriage and how they got answers. We like nature, natural things, the weather are all found in the bible. What ever problems we have, the bible has the answers. Even answers to our separation/lock down in there times. What instructions were Moses given whenever the people had a contagious health issue?
What I have done is to study the bible for myself. I turn off many media outlets and study the dramas in the bible to see how sinful humans are and how gracious and longsuffering Jesus is. e.g Gen 38:1-30. I must admit there are passages in the bible that I don't understand but I pray and cont. reading for understanding.
Application of teaching in our time. We must be very careful in selecting our leaders. They must not be chosen because of formal education but because of their knowledge and understanding of the WORD and demonstrate such in their life.There are pastors with Masters degree who know less of the scriptures than my grandfather who had only elementary education. All church leaders, SS school, Youth, deacons , pastors, conference personnel should know and live by the teachings of the bible. We should strive to know more of our Saviour each day as we study the bible
Horace, you made some good points. How do we apply the scriptures to our times? For example- The scriptures went into depth about aging, old age, and the elderly. Is the scripture referring to me, yes/no, although I am not 65 or above, if I keep living I will get there. It says, the days of our years are threescore and ten....Ps 90:10.
How should I apply that to my spiritual, physical, mental, and social life? Should I wait until I am 70 yrs to start thinking about retirement? where do I spend my older years, at home, or in a retirement place, with or without families? Will I have enough to retire, etc., or not to retire at all? Could my physical body go through the rigors of work? Moses was gifted, many are not like Moses and the men of old. The book of Proverbs is abundant with family relationships and answered those questions. Prov 29:18; 30:11-14
I said this because too many SDA older people seem to be neglected.
We need to be careful that we do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. While I agree that leaders should be chosen because "they know and understand the Word and demonstrate such in their lives", there is also a case for having a good education as well. Most of my Christian friends are academics and many of them contribute enormously to my understanding of scripture, not just in the strict academic sense, but in the way they interact at a personal level and especially for those in need. Their lives are a testimony that spirituality and education can combine to be a powerful witness for the love of Jesus.
. . . “which are able to make you wise for Salvation” – caught my eye. 2Tim.3:15. I suppose anything taught becames useful only if it is applied. We learn valuable information for all areas in our life, but only the Scriptures, through God’s Spirit, educates and teaches the living soul the Way, Truth and Life unto Salvation.
I look at the Scriptures as my handbook for Life in more than one sense; life in the here and now, and Life eternal. It governs the areas of my spiritual and intellectual thought-life, my emotional and ethical life and my every day, practical life. The combined Scriptures are essentially the only book worth saving from destruction.
Mankind has come a long way from before and since obtaining the Holy Scriptures. Other cultures have had their prophets and sacred writings, but nothing equals the spiritual as well as practical wisdom contained in our beloved Bible. No wonder it attracts followers of The Way from around the world.
Its teachings go far beyond mere philosophical and theological writings and therefore, if not taken by the student and applied in their practical life, its revealed wisdom stays locked up inside the pages and its life-changing/saving power given no chance to effect life for the better.
That it is a practical handbook is its real power - inspired words of God for mankind for a practical purpose! Only if its message is faithfully applied, can it become the one and only handbook instructing the living soul on its Way toward Salvation.
There is one thing that has bothered me ever since I became aware of it. In my opinion, there is only one Gospel - the Gospel of Christ Jesus, and it should be so noted in the forum of education. I do not think that there is a 'Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John' and do not think it right to designate the writings of the Apostles as ‘Gospel’; I think that this ‘muddies the spiritual waters’.
I would prefer to have Christ’s direct teachings as depicted in the KJV Red-letter edition separated out from the writings about Him. In this Bible version, one can clearly see which words are attributed to Christ Jesus and which are the sayings by the Apostels speaking about Him, expounding and explaining His teachings, or generally admonish and give guidance.
I believe that the most powerful aspect of the true ‘Gospel’, its essential message, is: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind - Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself - On these two commandments hang all the law and the phrophets" - Matt.22:37-40KJV.
Perhaps if you thought of the first four books of the New Testament as “The Gospel of Jesus as told by Matthew (etc)” it would make it more apparent that it is not any other gospel, it is all about Jesus. Maybe that would remove the dichotomy for you.
Blessings