Our loving God sent His Son to die for us. That explains why He has “given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Our goal should be to increase in learning (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9).
The rich man learned the importance of knowing and obeying God’s will. He thought his brothers, who had ignored Moses and the prophets, would listen to one who returned from the dead. Abraham said, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (Luke 16:19-31).
God’s Word teaches us to reverence Him (Deuteronomy 4:10; Psalm 34:11). Israel’s kings were to make a copy of the law, read it and learn to fear. The people participated in reading the law every seven years so they and their children could learn to fear the Lord and keep His commandments (Deuteronomy 14:22-23; 17:14-20; 31:9-13).
Learning the Lord’s will for our lives protects us from our enemies (Psalm 27:11). “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, And the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:11-12). The singer wanted the Lord to teach him his path (Psalm 25:3-4).
Psalm 119 praises the Word of God through the alphabet. The singer desired to learn God’s will (7, 12, 26, 33, 64, 71, 108). Moses was to teach Israel statutes and judgments (Deuteronomy 4:14). Ezra was a great leader of the returning captives because he “had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).
God’s Word teaches us what pleases Him and produces joy (Colossians 1:9-11). Paul said we cannot please men and be servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10; Romans 8:8). Pleasing God requires faith, which only comes through hearing God’s Word (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17)).
So, let us focus on God’s Word. It will free us for eternity.
