God: Our Teacher

To know God, by the careful study of His word, is the most important mission of our lives. The Apostle Paul instructed believers to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). An accurate understanding of His Word instructs us about God, His character, His plan of salvation and His will for our lives. God has appointed teachers within the church to assist believers in learning the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11).

As humans, we are not capable of understanding and teaching the truths found in God’s Word. God told His people through the prophet Isaiah, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9). Why would God give us teachers if they could not perform their role? Because God empowers them to do the work that, He has given them. The Apostle Paul explains, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5) and “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Ephesians 4:13). God works through human intermediaries but He is the one that is teaching us!

God promised to teach His people directly. Jesus reminded His followers, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God’” (John 6:45). David stated, “I have more insight than all my teachers for You Yourself have taught me” (Psalm 119:99, 102). Numerous times throughout the Psalms David begs God to “teach me” e.g. “Teach me Your way, O Yehovah; I will walk in Your truth” (Psalm 86:11).

During His ministry on Earth, Jesus taught His disciples and all that would listen “Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 9:35).

His actions were the fulfillment of a prophecy spoken by Isaiah, “He [God], your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher” (Isaiah 30:20).

No one has ever seen God, the Father. Jesus (who is also member of the triune God) came to earth as the physical representation of God. “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (John 1:18).

Finally, the Holy Spirit (the third member of the trinity) was sent to teach believers after Jesus left the earth. “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” (John14:26).

St. Augustine wrote, "Men cannot teach one another. God is the only teacher of men." Our loving God (Father, Son and Spirit) work directly to open our eyes to see and our ears to hear the truth of Scriptures. They also work through human teachers which they appointed.