Topical Encyclopedia The concept of God instructing man is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the divine desire to guide humanity in righteousness, wisdom, and understanding. God's instructions are conveyed through various means, including direct communication, the Law, the prophets, and ultimately through Jesus Christ.Direct Communication From the beginning, God has communicated directly with man to provide instruction. In Genesis, God gives Adam specific commands regarding the Garden of Eden: "And the LORD God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it, you will surely die'" (Genesis 2:16-17). This initial instruction underscores the importance of obedience to God's word. The Law The giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai represents a foundational moment of divine instruction. The Law served as a comprehensive guide for the Israelites, covering moral, ceremonial, and civil aspects of life. In Exodus 24:12, God invites Moses to receive the Law: "The LORD said to Moses, 'Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction'" . The Law was intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation and to instruct them in living according to God's will. The Prophets Throughout the Old Testament, God raised up prophets to instruct and admonish His people. The prophets served as God's mouthpieces, calling Israel back to faithfulness and obedience. In Isaiah 30:21, the promise of divine guidance is articulated: "And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" . The prophetic messages often included calls to repentance and reminders of God's covenant promises. Wisdom Literature The wisdom literature of the Bible, including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, provides instruction on living a life that honors God. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" . These writings emphasize the importance of seeking God's wisdom and understanding as a foundation for righteous living. Jesus Christ In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate revelation and instruction from God. As the Word made flesh, Jesus taught with authority and provided a perfect example of obedience to the Father. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers on the principles of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing the spirit of the Law rather than mere external compliance. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions His disciples: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" . This Great Commission underscores the ongoing role of instruction in the life of the Church. The Holy Spirit After Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit was given to believers as a guide and instructor. In John 14:26, Jesus promises, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you" . The Holy Spirit continues to instruct believers, leading them into all truth and empowering them to live according to God's will. Scripture The Bible itself is a primary means of God's instruction to humanity. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work" . Scripture serves as the authoritative guide for faith and practice, providing the necessary instruction for living a life pleasing to God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 94:10He that chastises the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teaches man knowledge, shall not he know? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Whether a Man Can Know any Truth Without Grace Whether Without Grace Man Can Know any Truth? Argument. --Again from the Gospel He Proves Christ to be God. Job. The Letter of Agatho and of the Roman Synod of 125 Bishops which ... Description of the Perfect Man, or Gnostic. Whether Life is Fittingly Divided into Active and Contemplative? Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ... Bit and Bridle: How to Escape Them Question of the Division of Life into the Active and the ... Resources What does the Bible say about being a man? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from the man of God and the lying prophet? | GotQuestions.org How is the fear of man a snare (Proverbs 29:25)? | GotQuestions.org Man: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Man of Every Nation, Made of One Blood Man: Able to Sustain Bodily Affliction Man: All the Ways of, Clean in his own Eyes Man: Allowed to Eat Flesh After the Flood Man: Called: The Potsherd of the Earth Man: Cannot Retain his Spirit from Death Man: Christ is the Head of Every Man: Christ was Found in Fashion As Man: Christ: A Refuge As, to Sinners Man: Christ: Approved of God As Man: Christ: As Such, is the Cause of the Resurrection Man: Christ: Called the Second, As Covenant Head of the Church Man: Christ: Made in the Image of Man: Christ: Took on Him Nature of Man: Clothed by God With Skins Man: Compared to a Wild Donkey's Colt Man: Compared to Clay in the Potter's Hand Man: Covered Himself With Fig Leaves Man: Created by the Holy Spirit Man: Created in Knowledge (Inferred) Man: Created in the Image of God Man: Created: A Type of Christ Man: Created: After Consultation, by the Trinity Man: Created: After the Likeness of God Man: Created: On the Sixth Day Man: Created: Under Obligations to Obedience Man: Days of, As the Days of a Hireling Man: Days of, Compared to a Shadow Man: Design of the Creation of Man: Disobeyed God by Eating Part of the Forbidden Fruit Man: Every Herb and Tree Given To, for Food Man: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Man: Filled With Shame After the Fall Man: Gave Names to Other Creatures Man: God: Destroys the Hopes of Man: God: Makes his Beauty Consume Away Man: God: Makes the Wrath of, to Praise Him Man: God: Orders the Goings of Man: God: Prepares the Heart of Man: God: Turns to Destruction Man: God's Purpose in Creation Completed by Making Man: Has an Appointed Time on the Earth Man: Has Sought out Many Inventions Man: Ignorant of What is Good for Him Man: Ignorant of What is to Come After Him Man: Intellect of, Matured by Age Man: Involved Posterity in his Ruin Man: Little Lower than the Angels Man: Made by God in his Successive Generations Man: Made Wise by the Inspiration of the Almighty Man: More Valuable than Other Creatures Man: Nature and Constitution of, Different from Other Creatures Man: Not Good For, to be Alone Man: Not Profited by all his Labour and Travail Man: Ordinary Limit of his Life Man: Originally Naked and not Ashamed Man: Placed in the Garden of Eden Man: Possessed of Understanding Man: Punished for Disobedience Man: Quickened by the Breath of God Man: Received Dominion Over Other Creatures Man: Shall be Recompensed According to his Works Man: Sinks Under Trouble of Mind Man: Wiser than Other Creatures Man: Woman Formed to be a Help For Man: Would Give all his Possessions for the Preservation of Life Related Terms |