Have you ever paid attention to those that God has assigned to teach us in His Word? Have you ever thought to ask Him who you need to learn from in different seasons of your life?
Consider that each book was written by someone that was inspired by God to give an account of what was happening at the time. It is these same writers that can teach us things that we need to know and understand. The words that they penned can educate, instruct and guide us.
Let us look at some of the teachers we have in the Bible apart from the obvious books that are named after the prophet or the writer. Like King David who gave us the Psalms, and King Solomon, who gave us Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. These are profound books that can teach us so much and a lot of what is written is based on personal experience. This is the best way to learn. To grow from the wisdom of others and their experiences.
What about the opening chapters of Proverbs where wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and prudence are personified as instructors or guides who teach and lead us in righteous living. Here are key scriptures where they are described in this role:
Wisdom as an Instructor:
Proverbs 1:20-23 (NKJV):"Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses; at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: ‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.’"
Wisdom actively calls people to listen, learn, and turn from foolish ways.
Proverbs 2:6-7 (NKJV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly."
Here, wisdom is a gift from God, and understanding accompanies wisdom to guide us.
Understanding and Knowledge as Guides:
Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV): "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding."
Understanding is portrayed as essential for applying wisdom rightly in life.
Proverbs 2:10-11 (NKJV): "When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you."
Knowledge and understanding provide discernment and protection.
Prudence as a Teacher:
Proverbs 8:12 (NKJV): "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion."
Prudence is closely connected to wisdom, emphasising careful and thoughtful decision-making.
All Together as Instructors:
Proverbs 1:2-4 (NKJV): "To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion."
These verses present wisdom, understanding, prudence, and knowledge as tools for teaching and equipping believers.
Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Wisdom and understanding are anchored in reverence for God, making them ultimate instructors.
These scriptures show how wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and prudence work together as God-given instructors, calling us to live righteously, think deeply, and act prudently in all aspects of life.
We also have the Holy Spirit and God as our teachers. We should always be open to Their instruction.
The Holy Spirit as Our Teacher:
John 14:26 (NKJV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of His words.
1 John 2:27 (NKJV): "But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."
The "anointing" refers to the Holy Spirit, who teaches and guides believers in truth.
Being Taught by God:
Isaiah 54:13 (NKJV): "The Lord shall teach all your children, and great shall be the peace of your children."
A prophetic promise of God Himself teaching His people.
John 6:45 (NKJV): "It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me."
Jesus reiterates the prophecy, emphasising that those who listen to God are drawn to Him.
The Seven Spirits of God are mentioned in Revelation and are often associated with the Holy Spirit in His fullness, as described in Isaiah 11:2. These "seven spirits" represent the complete and perfect attributes of God's Spirit, and they can also be viewed as sources of divine teaching and guidance.
Isaiah 11:2 (NKJV):
"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."
This verse outlines the sevenfold nature of God's Spirit:
The Spirit of the Lord
The Spirit of wisdom
The Spirit of understanding
The Spirit of counsel
The Spirit of might
The Spirit of knowledge
The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord
These attributes are seen as aspects of the Holy Spirit, and they can "teach" us by guiding, empowering, and equipping us in various aspects of life, such as wisdom, discernment, strength, and reverence for God.
Revelation 4:5 (NKJV):
"And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God."
Revelation 5:6 (NKJV):
"And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth."
These references to the seven Spirits of God symbolise the fullness of the Holy Spirit, present in God's throne room and sent into the earth to guide and teach us in truth and righteousness.
Therefore, if there is any area of your life where you need guidance or instruction, wisdom or strength, whatever you may need, call your teachers near to instruct you, call upon the resources that God has made available to you for your life and godliness. You are never left alone to navigate life's challenges. There is plenty of help through His Word, His Spirit, and through heaven's resources, including the angels who are there to watch over and assist us.
Be blessed today as you navigate your journey in Christ with new revelation and divine assistance!