Today our readings are filled with instructional expressions. Earlier in Proverbs, we saw that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (cf., Proverbs 9:10), which means that God is the divine Source of all sagacity. To be wise, we are advised to begin our search for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge with God. Here in Proverbs 22:17-27, we are told to “pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise, to apply our hearts to what God teaches, and to keep God’s wisdom in “our hearts – have it ready on our lips” (verses 17-18). God’s wisdom is designed to become useful for life, and the one who would become wise must faithfully and repeatedly study and practice all the “sayings” found in Scripture (verse 17). This wisdom enables us to maintain our “trust in the LORD” (verse 19) – “so that we can give sound answers” to others (verse 21). If we forsake our study of the Scriptures, we run the risk of trusting in lesser things. Notice: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man; do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared” (verse 26). Cultivating our trust in the LORD and in His Word keeps us from becoming distracted by bad attitudes, wicked behaviors, and the evil individuals who practice them. Mere association with evil soon opens us to a whole curriculum for learning evil – which we should avoid.
Continuing in Isaiah today, we also notice the heavy emphasis on teaching and learning in chapters 30-32, which constitute a part of God’s curriculum and classroom. Yesterday, we read Isaiah’s warning to “obstinate children” (verse 1). Most teachers are familiar with such children, and they know how difficult it can be to transmit truth to inflexible minds – “children who are unwilling to listen to the LORD’s instruction” (verse 9). The “obstinate children” were warned with “woe,” and told not “to carry out plans that are not the LORD’s (verse 1). We see the parallel of Isaiah’s words to our present age: “Tell us pleasant things; prophesy illusions. Leave this way, get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!” (verse 11). Sounds like some of the popular cries that we hear today. But in His Word, God has lessons of truth that He wants to “teach” us – and if necessary – He will take us through “the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” to learn them (verse 20). God’s truth is like the “voice behind us” directing and showing us “the right way to go” (verse 21). In chapter 31, God warns the people not to rely on Egypt – a picture of evil, wickedness, and idolatry. Chapter 32 points to the coming of a King Who will reign in righteousness, and “then, the eyes, the ears, the mind, and the stammering tongue” of the obstinate will “learn His lessons and they will know and understand” (verses 3-4).
This general theme of God’s instruction continues in 2 Corinthians 13 which concludes Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Based on his apostolic authority and their demands for evidence thereof, Paul – not unlovingly – warns the Corinthian believers that a test is coming, and he advises them not to fail (verse 5). Paul indicates that Christ “is speaking powerfully through” him (verse 3). To avoid failing the test, Paul says to “examine ourselves” to ensure that we are in the faith. The test is proved right – if Christ, by His Spirit – dwells within us (verse 5). Paul closes the book with his prayerful desire for all believers to experience the grace, love, and fellowship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We should “aim for perfection” because our God is worthy of this goal, and if we do, “the God of love and peace will be with us” (verse 11).
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