In the insight The Discipline of Discipleship, (9 May 2020) we recognised the importance of knowledge, meditation, application and conviction in seeking to be a disciplined disciple of Jesus.
In this insight I want to focus on the value of knowledge which has an academic and relational aspect to it, especially in the context of a faith in God. We may know everything about a person we are interested in, but we will not know them personally until we have met them face to face and interacted with them. (All bibles references used are taken from the New International Version NIV)
Tree of Knowledge
Very early on in the bible we read of Adam and Eve in the garden being instructed about the use of the tree of knowledge. (Genesis 2 v 17 NIV) They were told not to eat from the tree as they would die, and later in chapter three the knowledge they gained would give them an awareness of both good and evil in the world.
Dr David Jerimiah, an American teacher and preacher, observed how an atheist may complain about the concept of God and all the suffering and sadness that exists in life. However, knowingly or not, he reckons they make such judgements on the basis of there being a just and good God whom they don’t even believe in! When we compare a crooked line to one that is straight, we have made a judgement believing the straight line to be the guiding principle!
Bunches of wisdom and Knowledge
In Proverbs 1 v 1 – 7, we find a connection between wisdom and knowledge. The beginning of wisdom involves a discipline and application of knowledge. Foolish people hate knowledge (v 22) and a lack of knowledge causes people to live an undisciplined life. (Proverbs 9 v 13) Knowledge is pleasant to the soul (Proverbs 2 v 10) and for many it is more precious than gold. (Proverbs 8 v 10) So wise people seek and value knowledge (Proverbs 10 v 14) and people who love discipline also have a love for knowledge. (Proverbs 12 v 1)
Knowledge can be considered as a ‘gift given to lead people’ (2 Chronicles 1 v 10) and used for exercising good judgement. (Psalm 119 v 66) Then we have a wonderful testimony of the Psalmist declaring that such knowledge of God is too wonderful to fully appreciate. (Psalm 139 v 6)
Daniel
During the exile of the Israelites in Babylon, the ‘King ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of the court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility’ who had an aptitude for learning and that included Daniel. Daniel 1 v 1 – 6
When the four young men were in training, God granted them ‘knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning’ (Daniel 1 v 17) and he gives ‘wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.’ (Daniel 2 v 21) In observing the life of Daniel we find that he had a ‘keen mind and knowledge and understanding,’ (Daniel 5 v 12) which was accompanied by divine wisdom to use for the benefit of human activity and to the glory of God.
A loving fragrance
In the New Testament, we find that having a personal knowledge of God leads to the ‘secrets of His kingdom’ through faith in the life and ministry of Jesus. (Luke 8 v 10)
I love how the apostle Paul associates the presence of God to a ‘fragrance of the knowledge of him.’ (2 Corinthians 2 v 14) Paul wrote that he was not a ‘trained speaker,’ but he did have insight and knowledge from God that gifted him to write and be an encouragement to Christian believers. (2 Corinthians 11 v 6)
In 1 Corinthians 8 v 1, we read that ‘knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.’ Then in 1 Corinthians 13 v 8 we find that ‘where there is knowledge, it will pass away’……..but love remains and surpasses knowledge. (Ephesians 3 v 19)
Let’s take a review on what we have touched on so far
- Knowledge has two aspects to it which can be for good and a blessing or evil and calamity.
- Wisdom and knowledge brings a discipline to our lives that will maintain and uphold a holy life that is full of faith.
- Daniel was gifted with knowledge and elevated in his role and responsibilities which represented a blessing from God to him.
- In experiencing God’s personal presence, knowledge and understanding acts like a fragrance that others may experience, accept or reject.
- Knowledge is transient and subjective. It is inferior to God’s love that will last forever. Human knowledge and truth are important but so often separates us from the presence of God because they can become like gods and idols that are worshiped and have a control over us.
As a disciplined disciple our goal is to ‘grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,’ (2 Peter 3 v 18) and to ‘know Christ and the power of his resurrection’ that transforms us from spiritual death to life and a personal experience of God. (Philippians 3 v 10)
A knowledge of scripture alongside human understanding, will enable us to apply them for a Godly life: body, mind and spirit. In the last book of the bible Revelation 2 v 7 reads that those who overcome in life and faith, will ‘be given the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Then in Revelation 22 v 14 ‘blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life’ when we enter eternal life.
In the next insight I will explore how Daniel meditated on God’s word with a discipline that increased and maintained his earthly and heavenly knowledge.
Selah
Graham
Explore to Inspire 