In love, God offers the priceless gift of knowledge and wisdom in all the subjects that matter most—tuition-free.
Imagine that you started a business, and for the first fifteen years of running your company you did all the tax returns yourself in order to save money. Finally the company begins to prosper to the point you feel you can hire a tax professional. After he looks over your records and previous year’s returns, he sits down to discuss them with you.
He says, “I notice that you have not been taking the tax deduction for such and such. Is there a reason for that? It would have given you significant tax savings each year.”
“What? I don’t know anything about that deduction.”
“You’re not unusual,” says the advisor. “Not many small business owners are aware of it. We can go back and do amended returns for a couple of years, but I’m afraid you’re out of luck for getting back the money for the early years of the business.”
“Oh no, you’re kidding. How much do you think I could’ve saved if I’d taken that deduction?”
“Probably five to ten thousand a year at least. Sorry. Ignorance is not bliss. That’s why people like me are a good investment. With taxes, what you don’t know will always hurt you. I’ve noticed a few other things that can also save you significant tax expense going forward. You’re going to be really glad you called me.”
The steep price of ignorance
Ignorance is costly, not only in taxes and business, but in how to have successful relationships with family and friends and colleagues, in personal nutrition and eating habits, and in matters of faith and morality and one’s relationship with God.
God lamented the terrible cost of spiritual ignorance for his people:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6 ESV).
“My people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst” (Isaiah 5:13).
In America today we see the terrible social results of spiritual ignorance. For decades the elite knowledge-sectors (education and media) of society have largely abandoned the knowledge of God and the wisdom of Scripture, and now the U.S. is paying the inevitable, painful price. People cannot understand why the nation has many social ills and conflict. They are clueless because they are ignorant of spiritual truth. They have mastered technological knowledge but forgotten spiritual knowledge.
The loving gift of knowledge
When we see the cost of ignorance, we recognize the precious value of God’s willingness to teach us. He is happy to instruct us because he loves us.
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:34 NIV). Notice that Jesus taught them because he had compassion on them. He instructed them because he loved them. He knew the cost of ignorance. Sheep without a shepherd end up in big trouble, eaten by wolves or straying into wilderness regions lacking food and water.
In his ministry, Jesus primarily did three things: teaching, healing, and delivering from demons. “Crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them” (Mark 10:1).
So God teaches the people he loves. His love and desire to teach are connected in other Scriptures:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD” (Psalm 32:8–10).
“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Psalm 25:8–10).
The blessings of divine knowledge
If we recall the blessings that come from God’s words of instruction, we’ll see what a loving thing it is for God to teach us:
Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory” (Psalm 73:24)
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7–11).
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
God’s words bring light, life, joy, freedom, reward, wisdom, guidance, success, strength, encouragement, knowledge. His words make it possible for us to receive all the things we long for. Thus, his teaching is a gift of love.
Woohoo!
This is why the psalmist rhapsodized about his love of God’s laws: “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day…. Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble” (Psalm 119:97, 165).
To receive teaching from God’s Word is to get counsel from the wisest, best-informed person in the universe on how to live your life in the best possible way for the greatest possible happiness and everlasting glory.
In every pursuit of life, from hobbies to investments, we learn that knowledge brings power, competence, authority, success. That’s why people spend tens of thousands of dollars to get a formal education. God gives knowledge far more valuable, knowledge that equips us both for this life and life eternal, knowledge that enables us to live a life that pleases him and receives eternal reward.
Our way and God’s way
Our way: When fallen sinners hear God’s teaching, they say, “Don’t preach at me.” A rebellious heart resists God’s commands and guidance, even though his commands are his loving instruction on the life that brings happiness. A wicked heart is unteachable, proud, and wise in its own eyes.
God’s way: He teaches us because he loves us. He is the teaching God. Jesus said, “You have one instructor, the Christ” (Matthew 23:10). Only as we know and walk in his ways can we be blessed, for “There is no peace…for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22). He compassionately laments over those who reject his instruction: “Why will you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11).
Life principle: When you make it a priority to read the Bible daily, with faith, when you make it a priority to listen to his Word taught in church and elsewhere—when you read this blog! 🙂 —you are welcoming God’s teaching. He sees that you want to be taught, and he will teach you. “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10). Priorities, priorities, priorities.
Jeremiah 9:23–24: “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.’” (ESV)