BEING TAUGHT OF GOD
[p. 52] BEING TAUGHT OF GOD
John 6:45; 1 Thessalonians 4:9
I am seeking to be content with these two short scriptures, hoping, however, that what they present may be expanded for the presentation of the present truth, for there is such a thing — the present truth. There was the truth, and there will be, but there is the present truth, and it is in mind that this shall be kept before us. Peter uses the expression “the present truth”, 2 Peter 1:12 but I have read from John and from Paul and they both, as I may say, were up to date in the truth that Peter referred to. Peter was an apostle, and had the ministry, as John and Paul had it, and no doubt had it all in mind when he spoke of the present truth. Both Paul and John would be quite well versed in what Peter had ministered. It was the truth equally with what Paul ministered, although Paul had the last word. It is he who says that he completed the word of God. No one else said that — it is apparent that no one else could say it but Paul. But Peter had his line of truth, too, and it related particularly to the circumcision. He evidently received light and truth and principles from the Lord suitable for the circumcision and so he would, of course, devote himself mainly to that. It would be his part in the great dispensation. He had part in it and so did Paul and John and all the apostles — each having a characteristic ministry. There were no two of them alike, nor are there two alike today in those who are ministering. The creation witnesses to the variety that is with God even in material things and it is more so in spiritual things. All is from God and He loves variety.
One can understand what pleasure heaven had in what had been inaugurated as the Lord Jesus went up into heaven and the Holy Spirit came down. Think of what there was in a general way and in [p. 53] detail — how each apostle, indeed, each one who contributed to the system would afford pleasure to heaven. We shall understand that pleasure, for we are to be there and they are to be there — all the apostles are to be there. We shall know them and see them, and we shall have the opportunity of speaking with them, I am sure. The place the apostles have will be one of the features of the coming glory. We can understand that from the way they are spoken of as the twelve apostles of the Lamb. What pleasure the Lord would have in them! Features of life characterized them all — they were marked by life. The reference to “twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” Revelation 21:14 is a remarkable expression. A somewhat similar reference is made to the apostles and others at the beginning — “the crowd of names” Acts 1:15 — it shows what they were to heaven. The very names convey what is living. There was nothing dry, or crusty, or merely legal about them. Each had his characteristics; each had his ministry, and hence a wonderful variety was available. And the same will be true in heaven, dear brethren. The scene will be made more glorious on that account. It is said of the glory of the Lord that we are to be “transformed according to the same image” 2 Corinthians 3:18 — the glory that is involved in the image of Christ. John speaks of what we shall see and what we shall be like at that time. “We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is”, 1 John 3:2.
Well, as I have said, I wish to confine myself to what is conveyed in the two scriptures read. The first refers to the teaching of God: “They shall be all taught of God”. The second refers to being “taught of God to love one another”. I make a difference between these two things. As you can see there is the general teaching of God, and then the teaching of love. The latter is specific teaching. God teaches us to love one another. We are in a wide [p. 54] field when we think of the general field of divine teaching, but then there is the specific field of divine teaching, and we need both. That God should undertake to teach at all is wonderful. Why should He give Himself to that? The apostles gave themselves to the word of God and prayer, relieving themselves of the burden of looking after tables, but then why should God turn aside, as it were, to teach? He is the Maker and the Supporter of the universe. Think of that, and yet He turns aside, to give Himself to teaching His people. Now this is one of the most important things we can consider. It should not be regarded objectively, exactly, for there is such a thing as my becoming one of God’s pupils, one who learns from God. It comes to my mind just now in a most affecting way, that the Lord says, through the prophet, “He wakeneth mine ear to hear as the instructed”, Isaiah 50:4. And He also says, “The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of the instructed that I should know how to succour by a word him that is weary”, Isaiah 50:4. I think that is wonderful! I would that everyone would take it to heart, that the Lord Jesus viewed Himself thus as a learner from God. Not that I would say that He would be one of a class with His people, but still, He was a learner and His ear was opened by God that He might know how to speak a word in season to weary persons. How many wearied persons there are today! I do not mean weary from manual work, but weariness of mind, troubled minds and difficult circumstances. The Lord is concerned about such. He is concerned to have a word for you tonight if you are a weary one. The Lord knows what it means. He took on such circumstances, dear brethren, so that we might understand that He knows what we go through. How precious that is! It may be that as we are going home tonight we shall get a word from the Lord, each one for himself, for it is a word to him
[p. 55] that is weary — a person who is in weariness of mind or in sorrow. You may get a word from the Lord on the way home, or after you get home, or after you try to get some sleep, for you may not get sleep. Some of us do not get it just as we wish it, and the question is if we can think of divine things and make use of the time for the enjoyment or learning of divine things.
And so, as I have said, it is a question first of all of divine teaching; that is, God’s teaching. If God were to inaugurate the teaching of science, how scientific men would flock to hear! Many devote themselves to science. They become known as scientists, but they may be missing it and missing what God is saying and teaching. Think of what He is teaching His beloved people in all these meetings! I might add to that a warning that we should all be present when such meetings are held. There are many such meetings, and those that occur every week, and we are apt to forego many of them, or make selections, maybe, and neglect the prayer meeting. But that is not pleasing to the Lord. On one occasion one of His disciples asked Him saying, “Lord, teach us to pray”, Luke 11:1. The teaching of the Lord, as to prayer, is for all of us and we cannot afford to miss the prayer meeting. It is a time of teaching, you see. Many do miss the prayer meeting, saying that they can pick out whatever meeting suits best, but the meeting for prayer is one in relation to which the Lord would teach us. The Lord said, “When ye pray, say, Father ...”. Luke 11:2. He undertook to teach His disciples how to pray. And that would mean that they were taught of God. It was not only that the Lord taught — what He does, God does — and so we cannot afford to miss any of the meetings. They are all special. Heaven is involved in each of them. Therefore, we are not to miss any if we can avoid it. The Lord knows well what we can and cannot do and there is no one more considerate than [p. 56] He, but at the same time He is considerate of us in urging us to get to the prayer meetings. I say that because I know some of us make a selection and avoid the prayer meeting; they say they can get along without that, for there are other things they must do.
Well, I wanted to seek to connect things with God. As to the creation, of course, we must connect that with God: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”, Genesis 1:1. On the other hand, it is said of the Lord Jesus that there was nothing made without Him, everything that was made, He made, showing how the Deity is bound up together. I speak reverently; the Godhead is bound up together in these matters. And so we begin with God. And the evangelist speaks of the Lord as quoting from the prophets, “They shall be all taught of God”. The word ‘all’ there clearly means every person; every one of God’s people, for that is what is in mind. It is not the man of the world, but the people of God — all are to be taught of Him. And so I cannot but refer back to the beginning to show how, in the matter of teaching, God began it. He made man on the sixth day. He tells us specifically, through Moses, what He did on each day, as if God would come down to our level to tabulate for us what He did on each of the six days. It is a very touching thing and it brings up the whole question of education: How are we getting on in our education as believers? God looks down from heaven in these matters and He is thinking of the different things that are to be done. He has His own way of doing things, of course, but it is God’s way and we are to learn from Him how things are to be done. The Lord, speaking through the prophet, tells us that Jehovah opened His ear morning by morning. Well, that is a thing to notice — it is how things are done. And so this matter of education is started at the very beginning of the creation. It is not [p. 57] an afterthought but something that had to be taken up immediately because something had happened — sin had come in. And so it is viewed as having started at the very outset. Hence we are told that Enoch was the seventh from Adam. The Spirit of God intends that we are to think of the number — how many of us there might be — but there is one man singled out and he is called the seventh, not from the creation but from Adam. From the beginning, in Adam, at a given time there was a seventh: there were many other sevenths, no doubt, but I question if they have the same distinction, or if the Spirit of God could single them out and impress us with them as He does with Enoch. I would think that this thought is confined to one person, and that person is Enoch. In one sense I should like to have been that person, but there is something else going on today that I can have — that we can have — and perhaps we are missing it. And part of that something else may have taken place in these meetings.
You will see that I am seeking to impress every one to be on the alert because it is a time of divine teaching. For us it is not the time of the universities, although there are many, but we are dealing with what God is doing in the sense of teaching, and the question is if we are missing anything that has come from the mouth of God. The Lord Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which goes out through God’s mouth”, Matthew 4:4. Think of words coming from God’s mouth! Can I afford to miss something that the mouth of God has spoken? That is what is happening, and it should awaken the brethren to the importance of what is going on. You may say that you must go to business, that you must earn a living. But there is more than that, you know, much more, for God is doing something and you do not want to miss it. You would not want to miss the very last words that God will speak to His people before they are taken to glory. Scripture speaks of the last words of certain [p. 58] persons, such as the last words of David. Who can say that of God? He has never stopped speaking — He is not going to stop — He is God. I am God, He says, and there is none else; so that if God is speaking we want to be up to date with what God has said. I would not say there is such a thing as inspiration now but there is something very near to it; there is that which the Holy Spirit indite in the way of ministry for us. It is not inspiration, and yet it is almost that at times. We cannot afford to miss what is said by such as Anna. The word is that she departed not from the temple. Think of it, dear brethren, night and day! That dear old sister, and I do not say that she was only that when she was old, but she was old, and she is an example for us — she departed not from the temple, serving night and day. She was going on with the things of God, learning for herself, but speaking to others. She spoke to all who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
But I was speaking of Adam and how there was one man called the seventh from Adam. He is mentioned in the book of Jude. It is a book of only one chapter, but it is a very important chapter and amongst the many things that are said is the fact that Enoch was the seventh from Adam. And I would say that means that it was the learning time — the beginning of the learning time. God was beginning to teach men. Well, what would He teach them? Speaking reverently, I do not think it would be to give any further light about geology or the like of that. If it were needed He would do it, but He is not doing it, He is teaching about spiritual matters, and I believe the course of God’s teaching began with Adam, and there was one man who is singled out by the Spirit of God as the seventh of that period. Whatever was going on he had part in it. And this leads on to many things that are to be learned, as taught of God. One of these is priesthood. I take the liberty of selecting my topics [p. 59] from the great range of things which opens up, and I now mention the matter of priesthood and in doing so I am thinking of Exodus. Genesis speaks about priesthood too; indeed it speaks about one of the greatest priests; in fact, the greatest priest, because Melchisedec speaks of Christ. But it is priesthood in the wilderness that I am thinking about and Aaron represented that. Aaron was taught of God in priesthood. We cannot say that of Melchisedec, exactly, for he was a mysterious person, said to be assimilated to the Son of God. But Melchisedec did not teach Aaron to be a priest; Aaron was taught of God. Two of his four sons died under the government of God, and Aaron and his two sons continued in the priesthood. But I want to say (and this is important for both brothers and sisters) that we do not get anything about the priesthood of Aaron and his sons until we hear about the servant, spoken of in Exodus 21. It is as if God were to tell us that He wants us to serve Him — because that is the one great idea in priesthood, that we are to be in service. As was said of Aaron “that he may serve me”, Exodus 4:23. He is to be the servant, but his name is not mentioned as priest, nor are his sons’ names mentioned either, until they learned how to love. That is my great burden tonight — this matter of love. Aaron and his sons are not spoken of as priests until we read of the Hebrew servant in Exodus 21, who says, “I love my master, my wife, and my children”, Exodus 21:5. It was not simply that he was a Hebrew slave, but he was a man who knew love. John says, “Hereby we have known love, because he has laid down his life for us”, 1 John 3:16. That is how we know it. In the early days of the pagan Greeks, they did not know love; they did not know the meaning of the word. We must come to Scripture, and to persons mentioned in Scripture as priests, to know love. And these persons are specifically Aaron and his sons. And I mention them, dear brethren, so that we may have in mind that if we are [p. 60] to get anything from this address we must learn to know love, and to say certain things to persons about love. So that, as I said, we do not have the priesthood developed until we get these men, Aaron and his sons, who were taught how to love. Nor would there be anything in our souls tonight that would contribute to the priesthood unless we knew love. God has that in mind; He has in mind to impress us that if we are to be in His school and profit by it, we have to learn the first great lesson, which is love.
Now I think the dear brethren will conclude that I am not going beyond anyone’s reach in what I am saying. The divine school began with Adam, I believe. That is what is meant, I think, in Enoch being said to be the seventh from Adam. And if we are to be in that divine school, we have to begin with the great lesson of love and go on with it, keep on with it, prove it every minute, because it is to be known, it is to be proved. “Hereby we have known love”, John says. The Spirit of God, through him, tells us that love is known “because he has laid down his life for us”, 1 John 3:16. And so, if we are to learn this great lesson of love there must be some exemplification of the thing, and it must be constant. The exemplification is in the fact that “he laid down his life for us”. And it now involves that, in some sense, we are laying down our lives. So that it is a time for everyone to enquire before the Lord about these matters, What have I learned today about laying down my life? That is how the thing came out in Jesus, “Hereby we have known love, because he has laid down his life for us”, 1 John 3:16. So that the passage goes on to say, “And we ought for the brethren to lay down our lives”. Thus the thing will soon become a daily matter, dear brethren, an acquired matter, a mastered matter, as it were, that I know love. And we should not give up our application to the thing until we master it, as they say in the schools. And so Aaron and his sons mastered it, in type, because when the Hebrew servant comes into the scene saying, “I love my master, my wife, and my children”, Exodus 21:5 then we have the nomination of the priest. We are qualified to act as priests before God when we have learned love.
Well, I must conclude, because we are to be governed by measure in our speaking, but I feel that learning love is a great matter and it is included, though not mentioned, in the passage of John 6: “They shall be all taught of God”. That is a great general fact that the saints of God are, generally, in the divine school. But Paul, in his letter to Thessalonica, specifies that “ye ... are taught of God to love one another”. He did not need to tell them about it because they were taught of God. God Himself had taught them. That is the thing — God Himself is teaching the matter of love. It was as though He did not leave the matter even with Paul or with Peter. Not that they did not teach it, because I am sure they did, but it is as if God were to say, I will undertake this matter Myself because it is so important. And hence, in that remarkable chapter (1 Corinthians 13) the writer says, “If I ... have not love, I am nothing”, 1 Corinthians 13:2. What a sweeping thing that is. Do we have it? If we do not have it, the writer says, we are nothing! We may give all our goods, and even our bodies to be burned, but if we have not love, we are nothing. That is a sweeping matter.
Well, dear brethren, it is well to face these things. We are dealing with divine things. We learn in part, and we teach in part. We may say something that we have not thought much about, but perhaps we are saying the greatest things that we have ever said. That is how God does things and it teaches us to be on the alert, but especially we are to be learning love, for we are put to the test every day as to whether we know love. “By this shall all know”, says the Lord, “that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love amongst yourselves”, John 13:35.