Education {Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 5}

Miss this series? Start at Part One: "Assets"

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Thoroughly Equipped

Higher education is extremely important. We're commanded to be fruitful, take dominion of the earth, subdue the complexities of nature (Genesis 1:28) and teach the nations God's Law (Matthew 28:19, 20)—we can't expect to excel in these colossal tasks without an adequate education.

~ Psalm 71:17 ~

"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth:

and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."

~ Ecclesiastes 12:11, 12 ~

"The words of the wise are like goads,

and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings;

they are given by one Shepherd.

My son, beware of anything beyond these.

Of making many books there is no end, 

and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (ESV)

Drawing near to the end of his days, Solomon had run the gamut of human experience. He knew what it was like to be rich, powerful, famous—successful. He came to the conclusion that, in and of itself, the human experience is vanity. Occupational success must have a greater context to truly have meaning. Therefore, we must be educated in reference to the greater context in order to truly be wise. Solomon concludes:

~ Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14 ~

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,

whether it be good, or whether it be evil." (KJV)

All of life—all of our education and occupation—must be in the greater context of the fear of God, His Law and His judgement. It makes sense, then, that Paul would tell Timothy:

~ 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 ~

"All Scripture is breathed out by God

and profitable for teaching, for reproof,

for correction, and for training in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete,

equipped for every good work."

Books and study tools are important elements of a good education, but an adequate education begins with Scripture. This passage is especially exciting to me because it is so comprehensive. Look at the breakdown of the word work here:

"Business, employment, that which anyone is occupied; that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking; any product whatever, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry or mind" — Strong's

This passage is thoroughly economic. It has to do with real-life, applicable education. Scripture must be the foundation of our every enterprise so that we may thoroughly equipped to operate according to the greater context of God's plan for history.

Next Up:

"Getting Started"

{Cauley's Journey Into Midwifery, part 6}

Want to skip around?

Part 1: Assets
Part 2: Direction
Part 3: Fears
Part 4: Security
Part 5: Education
Part 6: Getting Started
Part 7: God Will Act + Exciting Announcement!