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Schools of the Prophets
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late as the time of the apostles, Paul and Aquila earned a livelihood
by tent making.
The law of God, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry were
the chief subjects of study in these schools. Instruction was different
from the teaching in the theological schools of today, from which
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many students graduate knowing less about God and religious truth
than when they entered. The aim of all study was to learn the will
of God and man’s duty toward Him. In sacred history students
traced the footsteps of Jehovah. Great truths shown by the sanctuary
symbols were brought to view, and faith grasped the main point of
that entire system—the Lamb of God that was to take away the sin
of the world.
Students were taught how to pray, how to approach their Creator,
how to exercise faith in Him, and how to understand and obey the
teachings of His Spirit. The presence of God’s Spirit was evident in
prophecy and sacred songs.
Uplifting Music Taught
Music was made to lift the thoughts to what is pure and elevating,
and to awaken devotion and gratitude to God in the soul, but how
many use this gift to exalt self instead of to glorify God! A love
for music becomes one of the most successful agencies that Satan
uses to draw the mind away from duty and from thinking on eternal
things.
Music forms a part of God’s worship in the courts above, and in
our songs of praise we should try to approach as nearly as possible
to the harmony of the heavenly choirs. Singing is as much an act
of worship as is prayer. The heart must feel the spirit of the song to
give it right expression.
Aren’t there some lessons that the educators of our day might be
able to learn well from the ancient schools of the Hebrews? Real
success in education depends on faithfulness in carrying out the
Creator’s plan.
The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the
soul. Sin has nearly erased the image of God in human beings—to
bring them back to the perfection in which they were first created
is the great purpose of life. It is the work of parents and teachers,