The True Value of Education

https://study.com/blog/classroom-projects-that-engaged-my-high-school-students.html

Next week, I will help my oldest son move back into college life for his Sophomore year. Last week, my younger son started his Senior year of High School. Soon my daughter will begin her graduate studies. I am two and one-half weeks into teaching an Old Testament History course for college students. Academics fill much of our family’s time. We value education and are thankful for the opportunities and resources to engage in it – as students and as a professor.

The Teacher, son of David, who penned Ecclesiastes pursued, obtained, and loved education. He found satisfaction in learning. That is, until he didn’t.

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Ecclesiastes 1:16-18 (NIV)
I said to myself, “Look, I have increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.” Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

He explains more fully in the next chapter.

Ecclesiastes 2:13-14, 16 (NIV)
I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
The wise have eyes in their heads, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both. … For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!

Among other truths, what the Teacher learned is that the pursuit of knowledge (even knowledge that leads to wisdom) is a fool’s errand if it is the end of the matter. God designed people with the capacity for learning and, therefore, it is good if the learning uses the knowledge and wisdom in a God-honoring way.

In Proverbs, chapter four, a father entreats his son to gain understanding. He does so repeatedly throughout the passage. Here is an example.

Proverbs 4:5-6 (NIV)
Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.

Several verses later, the father provides wisdom on how to use knowledge.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
    keep your foot from evil.

The father instructs his sons to use their knowledge to help them live upright, God-honoring lives.

Knowledge pursued by itself can lead merely to a head full of facts. Knowledge applied leads to a life well-lived.

Proverbs 4:7-9 (NIV)
"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

#ordinarylives