#78 -- Gospel and Spiritual Growth
Valley February 23, 2003 p.m.
Certain elements of secular education are evident in the Old Testament. Education in Israel was quite different because it was related to God's revelation of Himself and His creation and to the mandates of the Mosaic Law. On the other hand, the world system's education was designed to assist and maintain its development with an emphasis on its human subjects. Under Law much of the education was the responsibility of parents and never that of the state. There is a substantial amount of revelation concerning Divine expectations for education in Israel with very limited hints concerning the secular education of the Gentiles. The greatest amount of information concerning secular education in the Old Testament involves Egypt (esp. in Genesis and Exodus) and Babylon (esp. in Daniel). Education of the world system is designed to fit specific cultures and societies and is often contradictory within itself. The standard description among sociologists of "civilization" is that a social order becomes a civilization when it develops writing and is capable of recording its documents (correspondence, history, laws and such) for its constituents. This establishes a need immediately for some degree of education in order to perpetuate the civilization. Our purpose is not to spend time on the educational system of Israel since God intended it to be isolated from the world system and uniquely Theo centric around Jehovah and His Law. The following (I.) is a simple survey of the perspective of the education expected of Israel in the Hebrew Bible.
The primary purpose for education in Israel under the Mosaic Law was for religious instruction. "Law" (Torah) literally means instruction. At least 11 Hebrew roots are used in the Bible to describe teaching and learning. There were teachers teaching and learners learning. I.B. gives a list of verses that describe the centrality of family in teaching children. Two key passages are Deut. 4:9 ". . . teach them to thy sons, and thy son's sons" and Deut. 6:7, "And you will reach them diligently to your sons, and you will speak of them when you are sitting down in your house, and when you are walking in the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up [all translation is mine]." This was an individual responsibility as is indicated by the second person singular pronouns. Others involved in instruction were the Levites, priests, prophets and later scribes. Notice the school of the prophets in 2 Ki. 2:3-5; 4:38. Religious instruction was central and essential. The foundation of education was the foundation to the nation. "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge . . . (Prov. 1:7)." "The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding (Prov. 9:10)." A great illustration of the centrality of the Law and all of its elements is seen in Psa. 119. In its 176 verses only five do not use a word describing the Law. A dozen different words are used to show the importance of every facet of the Law. A good example of the importance of instruction of children is the link in the fifth commandment. "Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land that Jehovah your God is giving you (Ex. 20:12)." Instruction was essential because a child who did not keep the Law was stoned to death and his or her days shortened in the land. Ultimately Israel had a reputation for her learning in the world even though she failed in divinely mandated education of her youth.
The world system resumed its activity after the flood. It was perpetuated by Noah and those who were with him. The great gathering at Babel was designed to perpetuate the lofty goals of the world system and this included its way of thinking and education. Gen. 11:6 describes the divine response to the mental activities of mankind at Babel. "Behold the people is one, and they all have one language (lit. lip); and this they are causing to begin to do; and now nothing will be restrained (or confined) from them which they have devised (consider, purpose) to do." As a result, the continents were divided (Gen. 10:25; 1 Chron. 1:19) in the days of Peleg. This naturally had a major effect on the world system. Its educational endeavors now needed to meet the needs of diverse cultures and societies. There were consequential barriers to sharing learning. As a result of continental drift and the division of the continents alone, large bodies of water separated land masses. New divisions on existing continents came as the topography was changed with the mountains being elevated and waterways, bodies of water and chasms separating peoples. The division of languages and races further added for the need for more isolated education designed for each culture. The great cradles of civilization were founded along major rivers. The early civilizations of the Tigris Euphrates Valley included Sumer and Chaldea of Mesopotamia. Egypt was established along the Nile River. As history progressed other great civilizations arose including Assyria, Babylon, Persian, Greece, Rome, China and India. Smaller civilizations organized in Palestine. All of these needed a unique form of secular education to sustain their existence and to promote their way of life. In most ancient civilizations secular education was built on religion. Many of the sciences sprung from religious studies as astronomy did from religious astrology. Secular education was necessary to develop skills for the progress of the civilization. Each civilization had its own social mores that influenced its way of education and reason for education. Secular education sustained and controlled the Satanic world system in specific geographical locations.
III. considers Genesis and Exodus and the educational system of Egypt evidenced in Joseph's era and then c. 300 years later in the era of the Exodus. Genesis 41 describes various educated men and their positions as advisors to Pharaoh. There were "magicians" (41:8, 24 etc.) and a larger group identified as "wise men" (41:8). A distinction is made between "men of understanding" and "a man of wisdom" (41:33, 40). These were educated men with special skills (47:6). There were physicians in Egypt. These are literally "healers" in 50:2, 3 who were involved in the embalming of Joseph's body. It must be difficult to have to embalm one's failed cases it cuts down the patient load.
Exodus 1-14 gives us an idea of some elements of secular education before the Exodus. In 2:10 Pharaoh's daughter took Moses into her household as her son. He was educated there. Acts 7:22 describes this. "And Moses was educated [by pedagogical process] in all of the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was might [inherently powerful] in words and works." Three groups of educated intelligentsia who served in Pharaoh's government are listed as being involved as advisors during the plagues. They are wise men, sorcerers and magicians. All of these are included in the description as Pharaoh's servants or slaves. The plagues confronted both Pharaoh and his advisors or "cabinet members." The educated men were close advisors in Pharaoh's court.
Isaiah confronts the wisdom of Egypt saying, "the princes of Zoan are fools and the counsel of the wise ones of Pharaoh have been made senseless . . . (19:11-14)." All of the education of the governmental authorities and wise men caused Egypt to err in everything she does and to stagger as a drunk in his vomit (19:14)." This prophecy is given during the divided kingdom. Solomon possessed a wisdom that was greater that all of the wisdom of Egypt (1 Ki. 4:30). The next message will further examine the secular education of the world system in Babylon. This material will focus on the early chapters of Daniel. The material in this outline will be incorporated into the structure of the next message.
My week has been a very busy week. Sunday was a good day. Saturday brought news that the daughter of one of our ladies, Jan Taylor, had been killed when she was hit by a car on Interstate five. She was 37. God permitted me and some other saints to spend time with Jan Saturday. Friday her daughter had given evidence that she was a believer passing a Gospel Check. I spent Monday evening with the family in Salem with a wonderful opportunity to encourage saints and to share the Gospel with the unbelievers. I conducted the memorial service Wednesday morning in Salem. I am thankful for God's blessing in a multitude of ways. The fellow who hit her with his Suburban and his lady came and met the family after the service and had asked that a pastor be present. It was an accident and there was nothing he could have done. Many family members stepped forward to encourage him. There were several specific opportunities to give spiritual counsel to needy people. It was a real blessing to see the support of the saints for the family and God's special support of Jan and believers in the family. We trust God will use this in special ways in the family. The God of all peace and comfort certainly manifested Himself to His glory.
Sustained by the Peace from God and Resting in Christ Alone,
DKS
1 John 2:15, 16
Proposition: To examine the Old Testament for some of the information concerning secular education in the world system. The focus of Old Testament revelation is on Israel which has a distinct form of education from that of the world system.
Introduction
A. The Standards for Education
1. God's Education Related to Revelation About Himself and His Creation
2. World System's Education Related to Development of Itself and Its Subjects
B. The Specifics Concerning Education in the Old Testament
1. The Nation Israel Is the Primary
2. The World System Is Secondary
C. The Significance of Egypt and Babylon in the Old Testament
D. The Sharing of Education in the World System
E. The Standard for Defining Civilization
TRANS: Israel's education cannot be classified as secular. With the giving of the Mosaic Law a complete educational system became necessary for the people to learn how to live under the Law avoiding its judgments or curses and anticipating its blessings. They also needed to be instructed concerning Jehovah and how they related to Him.
I. THE PRIMARY DEVOTION OF EDUCATION IN ISRAEL UNDER LAW WAS RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION (TORAH): TRAINING IN LIFE SKILLS FOR PHYSICAL BLESSING IN TIME THE EXPECTATON OF EDUCATION AS A MECHANISM FOR JEHOVAH'S BLESSING
A. The Education Words in the Hebrew Vocabulary of Israel
1. Teachers and Teaching
2. Learners and Learning
B. The Program Under the Law for Education
1. Family Responsibilities ex. Ex. 20:12; 13:8; Deut. 4:9; 6:7, 9; 11:20; Prov. 1:8
2. Levite, Priest, Prophet & Scribe (ex. "school of prophets" 2 Ki. 2:3, 5; 4:38)
3. Religious Instruction of the Nation Deut. 4:6, 44; 5:1; Prov. 6:23
C. The Premise for Education in Israel
1. Prov. 1:7
2. Prov. 9:8, 10 (15:33; Psa. 111:10)
D. The Premium Placed on the Study of the Law of Moses ex. Psa. 119
TRANS: Ultimately Israel became a nation with a reputation for education and erudite learning. A multitude of civilizations had made it necessary for the world system to adapt its secular educational programs to groups of people who had divergent social objectives.
II. THE PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN THE WORLD SYSTEM: TRAINING IN SPECIFIC SKILLS FOR PERPETUATING AND SUCCEEDING IN PARTICULAR CULTURES OF CIVILIZATIONS -- THE EXTENSION OF EDUCATION OF THE WORLD SYSTEM TO AREAS OF THE WORLD AFTER THE DIVISION OF THE CONTINENTS
A. The Revelation of the Division of the Continents Gen. 10:25; 11:16-19
B. The Results of Continental Drift Matter of Multiple Locations
1. The Separation of the Continents
2. The Separation on the Continents New Topography
a. Bodies of Water and Waterways
b. Elevation of Mountains
C. The Progression of Cradles of Civilization in Time
1. Cradles of Civilization in the River Basins
2. Early Civilizations in the Tigris Euphrates Valley -- Mesopotamia
a. Sumer
b. Chaldea
3. Civilizations in Antiquity Around the Western Civilized World
a. Egypt
b. Assyria
c. Babylon
d. Persia
e. Greece
f. Rome
4. Civilizations in Palestine
a. Canaan
b. Phonecia
5. Other Civilizations
a. China and the Orient
b. India
D. The Uniqueness of the Development of Education in Civilizations
1. Often Built Around Religion
2. Enhancement of Skills in the Civilization
3. The Role of Education in "Civilization"
4. The Influence of Social Mores and Secular Education
TRANS: Scripture is not designed to give much revelation of the secular education in the world system. There are pertinent passages in the Bible that do give hints concerning some isolated incidents where persons of Israel were involved with the secular education of two great civilizations: Egypt and Babylon.
III. THE PERTINENT DESCRIPTION OF SECULAR EDUCATION IN THE WORLD SYSTEM AS REVEALED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: PARTICIPATING IN EDUCATION AND ITS RESULTS IN THE WORLD SYSTEM THE EVIDENCE OF ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD SYSTEM IN EGYPT AND BABYLON
A. The Old Testament Evidence of Secular Education in Egypt
1. In the Era of Joseph (Genesis 39-50)
a. The Existence of an Educated, Intellectual Elite Gen. 41:8, 24
(1) All the Magicians of Egypt ~yIr;c.mi yMejur.x; lK'' (col chsrtumee mitzraim) --
41:8, 24 [Ex. 7:11, 22]
(2) All the Wise Men h'yn,k'x] lK'' (col chakaheyah) -- 41:8
b. The Expectation of an Especially Qualified Man 41:33, 40 (vyai [eesh])
(1) Man of Understanding !yBi (been)
(2) Man of Wisdom ~k'x' (chahkahm)
c. The Establishemnt of Men with Special Educational Skills 47:6
d. The Existence of Healers 50:2, 3
2. In the Era Leading to the Exodus Exodus 1-14
a. Moses' Education as Pharaoh's Daughter's Son 2:10
b. Moses Reputation Established in Stephen's New Testament Message Acts 7:22
(1) Educated = Child Trained
(2) In All Wisdom
(3) Powerful in Words and Works
c. The Evidence of an Intellectual Hierarchy Ex. 7:11
(1) Wise Men ~ymik'x] (chakahmim) -- 7:11
(2) Sorcers ~ypiV.k;m. (mkashfeem) 7:11
(3) Magicians ~yIr;c.mi yMejur.x; (chartumee mitzraim) 7:11, 22; 8:7, 18, 19; 9:11
(4) Pharoah's Servants 7:10, 20; 8:3, 4, 9, 11, 24, 29, 31; 9:14, 20, 30, 34; 10:7;
11:3; 12:30; 14:5
3. In the Solomonic Era 1 Ki. 4:30
4. In the Era of the Divided Kingdom Isa. 19:11-14
B. The Old Testament Evidence of Secular Education in Babylon
1. The Instruction of Exiled Hebrews in the House of Eunuchs Dan. 1:3-20
a. The Prerequisites for Special Secular Education 1:3, 4a
(1) Birth
(2) Appearance
(3) Ability
(4) Potential
b. The Plan for Instruction by Secular Babylonian Education 1:4b
(1) Teach the Learning or Book of the Chaldeans
(2) Teach the Language of the Chaldeans
c. The Provision of Special Abilities by Jehovah 1:17
(1) Given Knowledge and Prudence in All Learning/Book and Wisdom
(2) Daniel Had Understanding of Every Vision and All Dreams
d. The Passing of the Final Exams Before Nebuchadnezzar 1:20
(1) In Every Matter of Wisdom of Understanding Ten Times Better
(2) Than All of the Magicians and Astrologers in His Kingdom
(a) Magicians ~yMijur.x; (chsrtumeem) -- 1:20; 2:2 [Aram. 2:10, 27; 4:7, 9; 5:11]
(b) Astrologers ~ypiV'a;' (ashahfeem) -- 1:20; 2:2
2. The Institutions Providing Specialists in Learning Dan. 2:2
a. Tiers of Government in Babylon
(1) The Intellectual Advisors
(2) The Civil Leaders
b. The Four Levels of Educated Advisors to the King 2:2
(1) Magicians [cf. 1:20 & 1., d., (2), (a)]
(2) Astrologers [cf. 1:20 & 1., d., (2), (b)]
(3) Sorcerers ~ypiV.K;m. (mekashfeem) -- 2:2 (cf. Ex. 7:11)
(4) Chaldeans ~yDif.K; (kasdeem) -- 1:4; 2:4, 4; 9:1 [Aram. 2:5, 10, 3:8; 4:7; 5:7, 30]
c. The Addition of a Fifth Level 2:27; 4:7 (4); 5:11 "Soothsayers" aY"r;z>G"
(gahzrayah) [Aram.]
d. The General Category of "Wise Men" 2:12, 13, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27, 48; 4:6, 8, 18;
5:7, 8, 15
3. The Involvement of the Educated Wise Men in the Kingdom of Babylon
a. By Nebuchadnezzar in the Image Dream Dan. 2
b. By Nebuchadnezzar in the Tree Dream Dan. 4 (vss. 7, 18)
c. By Belshazzar at the Handwriting on the Wall Dan. 5 (vss. 7, 15)
TRANS: There are some interesting things that we can learn from these accounts that relate to the secular education of the worlds system in these passages of Scripture. Secular education serves the rest of the system to maintain and to support every part of the world system.
IV. THE PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF SECULAR EDUCATION IN THE WORLD SYSTEM FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT: DESCRIBING THE VIEW OF SECULAR EDUCATION IN EGYPT AND BABYLON THE EVIDENCE OF THE USE OF EDUCATION IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD SYSTEM IN BIBLICAL HISTORY
A. Built Upon a World System Pragmatism
B. Built to Support All of the Elements of the World System
1. Human Religion Uses Education for Its Own Objectives
2. Human Government Uses Education for Its Own Objectives
3. Human Commerce and Industry Use Education for Their Own Objectives
4. Human Entertainment Uses Education for Its Own Objectives
5. Senseless Warfare Uses Education for Its Own Objectives
TRANS: Ultimately Israel became a nation with a reputation for education and erudite learning. This is evident in several instances in the Hebrew Bible and in secular literature.
Jehovah expected all learning be founded on the instructions given to the nation for the dispensation.
© by David K. Spurbeck
Valley Baptist Church
P. O. Box 99, Gaston, OR 97119