Education
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 6: The Schools of the Prophets
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In both the school and the home much of the teaching
was oral; but the youth also learned to read the
Hebrew writings, and the parchment rolls of the
Old Testament Scriptures were open to their study.
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Wherever in Israel God's plan of education was carried into
effect, its results testified of its Author. But in very many households the
training appointed by Heaven, and the characters thus developed, were alike
rare. God's plan was but partially and imperfectly fulfilled. By unbelief and
by disregard of the Lord's directions, the Israelites surrounded themselves
with temptations that few had power to resist. At their settlement in Canaan "they
did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the Lord commanded them: but were
mingled among the heathen, and learned their works. And they served their
idols: which were a snare unto them." Their heart was not right with God,
"neither were they steadfast in His covenant. But He, being full of
compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time
turned He His anger away. . . . For He remembered that they were but
flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again." Psalm 106:34-36;
78:37-39. Fathers and mothers in Israel became indifferent to their obligation
to God, indifferent to their obligation to their children. Through
unfaithfulness in the home, and idolatrous influences without, many of the
Hebrew youth received an education differing widely [46] from
that which God had planned for them. They learned the ways of the heathen. {Ed 45.1}
To meet this growing evil, God provided other agencies as an
aid to parents in the work of education. From the earliest times, prophets had
been recognized as teachers divinely appointed. In the highest sense the
prophet was one who spoke by direct inspiration, communicating to the people
the messages he had received from God. But the name was given also to those
who, though not so directly inspired, were divinely called to instruct the
people in the works and ways of God. For the training of such a class of
teachers, Samuel, by the Lord's direction, established the schools of the
prophets. {Ed 46.1}
These schools were intended to serve as a barrier against
the wide-spreading corruption, to provide for the mental and spiritual welfare
of the youth, and to promote the prosperity of the nation by furnishing it with
men qualified to act in the fear of God as leaders and counselors. To this end,
Samuel gathered companies of young men who were pious, intelligent, and
studious. These were called the sons of the prophets. As they studied the word
and the works of God, His life-giving power quickened the energies of mind and
soul, and the students received wisdom from above. The instructors were not
only versed in divine truth, but had themselves enjoyed communion with God, and
had received the special endowment of His Spirit. They had the respect and
confidence of the people, both for learning and for piety. In Samuel's day
there were two of these schools—one at Ramah, the home of the
prophet, and the other at Kirjath-jearim. In later times others were
established. [47] {Ed 46.2}
The pupils of these schools sustained themselves by their
own labor in tilling the soil or in some mechanical employment. In Israel this
was not thought strange or degrading; indeed, it was regarded as a sin to allow
children to grow up in ignorance of useful labor. Every youth, whether his
parents were rich or poor, was taught some trade. Even though he was to be
educated for holy office, a knowledge of practical life was regarded as
essential to the greatest usefulness. Many, also, of the teachers supported
themselves by manual labor. {Ed
47.1}
In both the school and the home much of the teaching was
oral; but the youth also learned to read the Hebrew writings, and the parchment
rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures were open to their study. The chief
subjects of study in these schools were the law of God, with the instruction
given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry. In the records of
sacred history were traced the footsteps of Jehovah. The great truths set forth
by the types in the service of the sanctuary were brought to view, and faith
grasped the central object of all that system—the Lamb of God, that
was to take away the sin of the world. A spirit of devotion was cherished. Not
only were the students taught the duty of prayer, but they were taught how to
pray, how to approach their Creator, how to exercise faith in Him, and how to
understand and obey the teachings of His Spirit. Sanctified intellect brought
forth from the treasure house of God things new and old, and the Spirit of God
was manifested in prophecy and sacred song. {Ed 47.2}
These schools proved to be one of the means most effective
in promoting that righteousness which "exalteth a nation." Proverbs
14:34. In no small degree they aided in laying the foundation of that marvelous
prosperity [48] which distinguished the reigns of
David and Solomon. {Ed
47.3}
The principles taught in the schools of the prophets were
the same that molded David's character and shaped his life. The word of God was
his instructor. "Through Thy precepts," he said, "I get
understanding. . . . I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy
statutes." Psalm 119:104-112. It was this that caused the Lord to
pronounce David, when in his youth He called him to the throne, "a man
after Mine own heart." Acts 13:22. {Ed 48.1}
In the early life of Solomon also are seen the results of
God's method of education. Solomon in his youth made David's choice his own.
Above every earthly good he asked of God a wise and understanding heart. And
the Lord gave him not only that which he sought, but that also for which he had
not sought—both riches and honor. The power of his understanding, the
extent of his knowledge, the glory of his reign, became the wonder of the
world. {Ed 48.2}
In the reigns of David and Solomon, Israel reached the
height of her greatness. The promise given to Abraham and repeated through
Moses was fulfilled: "If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments
which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His
ways, and to cleave unto Him; then will the Lord drive out all these nations from
before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the
wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the
uttermost sea shall your coast be. There shall no man be able to stand before
you." Deuteronomy 11:22-25. {Ed 48.3}
But in the midst of prosperity lurked danger. The sin of
David's later years, though sincerely repented of and [49] sorely
punished, emboldened the people in transgression of God's commandments. And
Solomon's life, after a morning of so great promise, was darkened with
apostasy. Desire for political power and self-aggrandizement led to alliance
with heathen nations. The silver of Tarshish and the gold of Ophir were procured
by the sacrifice of integrity, the betrayal of sacred trusts. Association with
idolaters, marriage with heathen wives, corrupted his faith. The barriers that
God had erected for the safety of His people were thus broken down, and Solomon
gave himself up to the worship of false gods. On the summit of the Mount of
Olives, confronting the temple of Jehovah, were erected gigantic images and
altars for the service of heathen deities. As he cast off his allegiance to
God, Solomon lost the mastery of himself. His fine sensibilities became
blunted. The conscientious, considerate spirit of his early reign was changed.
Pride, ambition, prodigality, and indulgence bore fruit in cruelty and
exaction. He who had been a just, compassionate, and God-fearing ruler, became
tyrannical and oppressive. He who at the dedication of the temple had prayed
for his people that their hearts might be undividedly given to the Lord, became
their seducer. Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored Israel, and dishonored
God. {Ed 48.4}
The nation, of which he had been the pride, followed his
leading. Though he afterward repented, his repentance did not prevent the
fruition of the evil he had sown. The discipline and training that God
appointed for Israel would cause them, in all their ways of life, to differ
from the people of other nations. This peculiarity, which should have been
regarded as a special privilege and blessing, was to them unwelcome. The
simplicity and self-restraint essential to the highest development they sought [50]
to exchange for the pomp and self-indulgence of heathen peoples. To be
"like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5) was their ambition. God's plan
of education was set aside, His authority disowned. {Ed 49.1}
In the rejection of the ways of God for the ways of men, the
downfall of Israel began. Thus also it continued, until the Jewish people
became a prey to the very nations whose practices they had chosen to follow. {Ed 50.1}
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As a nation the children of Israel failed of receiving the
benefits that God desired to give them. They did not appreciate His purpose or
co-operate in its execution. But though individuals and peoples may thus
separate themselves from Him, His purpose for those who trust Him is unchanged.
"Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever." Ecclesiastes 3:14. {Ed 50.2}
While there are different degrees of development and
different manifestations of His power to meet the wants of men in the different
ages, God's work in all time is the same. The Teacher is the same. God's
character and His plan are the same. With Him "is no variableness, neither
shadow of turning." James 1:17. {Ed 50.3}
The experiences of Israel were recorded for our instruction.
"All these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1
Corinthians 10:11. With us, as with Israel of old, success in education depends
on fidelity in carrying out the Creator's plan. Adherence to the principles of
God's word will bring as great blessings to us as it would have brought to the
Hebrew people. {Ed 50.4}
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"Lives of Great Men"
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