God Our Instructor

The LORD “is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working” (verse 29). This verse should go without explanation, but the Writer does explain the counsel and working of the LORD throughout the whole chapter.

The Lord is our instructor and teacher, and we are to be the student. He desires to teach us “doctrine” (verse 9), “discretion” (verse 26), and discipline (verse 27); but we can only be taught in the prescribed way of the passage.

1. We are to read and study the Bible “Line upon line…here a little, and there a little.”

2. When it comes to discretion, we are to give our “ear” over to the Lord, “hearken”, and “hear” what the Spirit has to say.

3. And when it comes to discipline, there is a time for the “staff” and there is a time for the “rod.”

Discretion is you understanding what doctrine applies to you and which doctrine doesn’t. Discretion is understanding which form of discipline is expedient and which isn’t. Not all doctrine is applied TO you in the church age and not all discipline is carried out the same way.

When discretion is not exercised through God’s words and by his Spirit, doctrine becomes unsound and discipline becomes unkind.

Psalm 112:5; 23:4; Proverbs 2:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16; Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 19:11