Who Are the Wise Servants?
Study No. 16
Matthew 24:44-47 tells us to be ready for the Messiah’s return, to be a "faithful and wise servant" who will be "so doing" when the Lord returns. The Moffatt translation refers to a "trusty and thoughtful servant." The New English Bible says, "Who is the trusty servant, the sensible man charged by his master to manage his household staff and issue their rations at the proper time? Happy that servant who is found at his task when his master comes! I tell you this: he will be put in charge of all his master’s property." The literal Greek says, "faithful bondman and prudent . . . food in season . . . doing thus."
Daniel 12:3, "And they that be wise [margin: 'teachers'] shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Verse 10 tells us, " . . . none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Daniel 11:32-35 adds, " . . . but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many . . . [But] some of them of understanding shall fall . . . ."
Where Does Teaching Begin?
Those who think they can teach others had better teach themselves first, Romans 2:17-23.
He that is wise teaches his mouth to say the right things, Proverbs 16:23.
The perfect man is the one who bridles his own tongue, James 3:2.
Psalm 101:2 says, "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way . . . with a perfect heart."
Psalm 111:10, " . . . a good understanding have all they that do His commandments."
Who Is Our Instructor?
God will teach us, if we are led easier than a horse or mule. We have to have understanding to be led, not blindly following, or rebelling. We have to think to be instructed, Psalm 32:8-9.
What attitude must we have in order to be wise teachers? Daniel 9:5-6, 10, 13, 22 shows how Daniel acknowledged his great sin, and humbly beseeched God to forgive him, and all Israel. You can’t understand the truth unless you turn from your iniquities. God gave Daniel skill and understanding because of repentance for his, and the people’s sins. Do we have equal concern for the sins of Israel, or do we think we are better than they?
The wise man glories in the Lord, not in his own glory or riches, Jeremiah 9:23-24.
With What Should Wise Servants Use To Instruct Others?
The Levites "taught the good knowledge of the LORD," II Chronicles 30:22.
Ezra read from the book of the law of Moses, gave sense to it, and applied it to everyday life, Nehemiah 8:1-3, 7-9, 12-18.
How Can A Wise Servant Lose Wisdom?
Israel loses wisdom when they lightly esteem and forget God, have no faith in God, and don’t consider their latter end, Deuteronomy 32:15-20, 28-29.
"Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of His ways," Job 34:27.
Proverbs 21:16 states, "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead."
Psalm 36:3, "The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good."
Those that make a graven image cannot understand, Isaiah 44:9, 18-19.
Is Silence Sometimes the Sign of A Wise Servant?
Proverbs 10:19, "In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise."
Amos 5:13, "Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time: for it is an evil time."
When Will God’s Backsliding Children Have Pastors?
Jeremiah 3:14-17, "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you . . . . And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding . . . . At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart." W