Greetings again my Brethren. Okay let us continue with the diversity of instruments by which God can speak to mankind. One of the most prized gift sought by man is education. I remember hearing an African Pastor, who could not read that well, say, “readers are leaders.” Oh, how man goes after education. Man thinks education and the knowing that comes with it will propel him to greatness, well Adam’s great desire to want to know got Himself and us into a lot of trouble. Sometimes it is best not to know so much. Man thinks the more educated he is the better he will come to know God well, this too is untrue. Actually, the more we know of this world and religion the less we shall know of God. It seems to be that the Christians with a bunch of letters behind their name know little to nothing about God and they live in this artificial bubble of knowing God. You know there is a huge difference between someone who really knows God, who has a relationship with Him and one that knows about God have it be in writings and reading about Him. There is a reason why the acronym PhD stands for Pile (it) Higher and Deeper. Wiser does not mean knowing God. We see this all throughout the Bible. But, here is the flip side, if education is channelled into God and for His purposes then it can be a useful instrument in the hands of God to speak to mankind, men and women. To be brutally honest I would recommend Christians NOT go to Bible School (any college these days for that matter) or a Seminary unless the LORD directly request it. More is not better. In 1 Corinthians Paul shares this truth with us, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” (1 Corinthians 26-27) The wiser we get into ourself the more foolish we get to God and others who know God. Take heed do not go to Bible school because everyone is going or that is the track to be a preacher, teacher, or pastor. Oh no, come to know God and He will direct your steps and if He wants you to go to Bible School wonderful, go and be the very best student you can be in Him, but do not go to learn more about the Bible, or religion, church history, Biblical doctrine, and the list goes on and on. No greater men other than Jesus Christ, in my humble option, were used more by God than Moses and Paul, known as Saul in an earlier life. At one time Moses and Paul both were educated at the highest levels of knowledge by the most lofty, prestigious teachers and instructors, but God could not use them to fulfil His purposes in their lives till He got the education of the world out of them. In Acts we read where Moses was an educated man of the world he knew the art of warfare, construction and building, a great speaker and counsellor, gifted in the arts, and so much of the world. Luke writes, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” (Acts 7:22) Now when the Bible says “all” it means all, not a few or some “wisdom” but “all.” Yet, when God finally gets Moses to a place in his life where He can use Moses we find Mose cannot speak. In Exodus we read, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) In other words Moses now stuttered and stammered. Moses’ life can be divided into three 40 year periods. The first 40 years Moses was raised in the palace of Pharaoh learning the ways and things of the world. The second 40 year period Moses kept sheep on the back side of the desert where God worked the wisdom of the world and the knowledge of man out of him. This is where we find Moses in Exodus 4:10. Well, you would too if all you did for 40 years was talk to and follow sheep around all day. But it was his last 40 years where God used Moses for His purposes, to be the deliverer and lead His people out of Egypt, but do not miss the point, Moses’ leadership was not of the world, but of God’s making. Moses went to the School of the Wilderness to learn God’s ways. (see Psalms 103:7) Saul, later called Paul was another great servant of God who was schooled and trained of the world, but God could not use him. In Acts we read, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.” (Acts 22:3) WOW! Saul was in Bible School and God kicked him out. Paul, a Jew, went on to write 2/3’s of the New Testament and was the instrument that God used to spread the Gospel Message to the Gentiles. Without a doubt he was the most used Apostle of Christ. My friend education is not for everyone. God has a school picked out for you to attend if you have a desire to come to know Him. It may not have ivy covered walls or ivory towers, but it will have the presence and knowledge of God. What else do you need?
More next month as we continue to look at the many diverse instruments God can use to communicate with us. Are you there my friend? In tough situations and circumstances? Have you heard His voice? Listen closely and you will. Written by David Stahl
