God gives us an interesting example of a teacher and master craftsman in the Book of Exodus. His name was Bezaleel and he was from the Tribe of Judah. We can learn much about choosing the right teachers for our children and being the right teachers for them.
“And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.” Exodus 35:30-35
What God did for Bezaleel to fashion him into a mighty craftsman and teacher of crafts is similar to what He wants to do for Christian teachers today.
1) Filled with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge (mastering a rich relationship with God and an understanding of how God sees life)
2) All manner of workmanship, devise curious works, work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make ay manner of cnning work (mastering his craft whether it be working in metals, wood or martial arts)
3) Teaches from the heart and with the wisdom God gives them (has a deep desire to teach and masters himself to bring praise to God and the riches of God’s Word to the people he teaches)
4) Filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work (does his best in everything he does)
We can learn much from these examples of master teachers. (Interesting side note that Aholiab was from the tribe of Dan.)
- The Bible gives us many examples of good teachers. We can learn so much by studying these men and women and what made them teachers God used to bless His people.
Joshua was the man God chose to lead Israel after Moses died. God taught Joshua what he must know and do in order to teach and lead God’s people. The same is true for anyone who teaches God’s people today.
“Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people.” Joshua 1:7-10
Samuel was a great teacher of the people of Israel at a most difficult time in its history.
“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:23-24
David was a great teacher of God’s people. He was also a powerful martial artist (warrior king) and great instructor of his army. He looked to God to be his Teacher and Strength so he could teach others.
“He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.” Psalms 18:34
“Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.” Psalms 144:1-2
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day … Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way … What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.” Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 12
“Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.” Psalms 34:11
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Psalms 51:12-13
“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” Psalms 86:11
“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.” Psalms 119:99
What was it that King David wanted God to teach him? The Law. David wanted to know God’s Law in detail so he could understand it, obey it and teach it.
“Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes … Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes … Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments … Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes … I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation … Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments … Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes … Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.” Psalms 119:12, 26, 33, 64, 66, 68, 99, 108, 124, 135
Ezra was a priest and scribe and God used him to return the hearts of God’s people to the Lord.
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments … And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not.” Ezra 7:10, 25
We can mention so many other great teachers in the Bible including Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah and all the other prophets of God. We can name Peter, Paul, James and the other apostles of God.
However, no name in the Bible comes close to the Greatest Teacher of all time: Jesus Christ the Lord! He taught everywhere He went. He taught in every situation of life. He was truely the Master Teacher. We can learn so much about teaching people by observing and following His teaching process.
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matthew 4:23
“Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” Matthew 9:35
“And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.” Matthew 11:1
“And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.” Mark 4:1
“And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? … And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching … And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:2, 6, 34
Jesus Christ called on all His disciples to become teachers of the Gospel of God’s Grace. It is our duty, our responsibility, our privilege, our joy.
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus also taught His disciples to depend on God’s Spirit to teach them what to say as they taught others. May we learn that wonderful lesson and look to the Spirit for His Wisdom.
“For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.” Luke 12:12
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26
May we be the wise teachers our children need us to be.
In the next part of our series on Teaching Wisdom to Our Children, we’ll look at some examples of bad teachers and why we do not want to be like them.
