17 This is what the Lord says—   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God,  who teaches you what is best for you,  who directs you in the way you should go.

18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,   your peace would have been like a river,  your well-being like the waves of the sea.

19 Your descendants would have been like the sand,   your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out  nor destroyed from before me.”

Commentary

In today's world, "instruction" is regarded as something that's "nice to have", but not necessarily essential.  For example, how many have opened the package to a product you've never handled before and instinctively tossed the instructions? Have you driven to a building with no idea of where you can park, where to pick up/drop off, what speed to drive, etc? Even though you had no idea what you were doing, the last thing you wanted was instruction and when someone offered you an instruction, you got upset?

People generally don't want instruction; not from bosses, not from police, not from court officials, not even from doctors; even those they hand-selected. Today's kids are no better. They treat instruction at school as if the authority figures were only giving flexible options. They receive critical wisdom from the mouth of our elders as if it were merely suggestions; not necessarily essential.

But in the time of the ancient Hebrews, "instruction" was the difference between life and death.  3,000 years ago, a man who had bags of seed to grow grain could easily become wealthy, yet the bags of seed were only part of what he needed to survive.  Without instruction, the seed would be useless to him.  That man would need to know what type of seed he had and what to do with it; or else he would starve.  If he could not find instruction, he would be unable to produce food. The man would have no choice but to eat the seed as his last meal; then die.

The bible says in Psalms,

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.  I’ll guide you with my EYE” Psalms 32:8

God is simply saying “TRUST ME, I CAN SEE YOUR SITUATION!”  He is saying "DEPEND ON MY EYESIGHT TO GUIDE YOU!".  It is a privilege to have a God who is willing to guide you; and it denotes a very personal, intimate relationship.   According to Isaiah 48:17, God's instruction is the "way" to profit. Thus, if you have God’s instruction, you have THE “way” to keep from starving to death in this world.

The next time you receive a Word from God, either by hearing a sermon or from reading the bible on your own, ask  yourself, "Why am I hearing this now?".  Then put the instruction into perspective by asking, “Is there something specific going on which makes this instruction significant today?"  You must ask these questions; especially if its an instruction you have heard before.

Instruction from God are specifically for what is coming your direction down the road.   So trust God, because He is Lord over the Harvest.  He is your God; He will teach you to profit; He will lead you in the way you should go!

Worship Crusade Ministries International

Find us on facebook:
WCMI on Facebook