Chapter 11—The Schools of the Ancient Hebrews
The institutions of human society find their best models in the
word of God. For those of instruction, in particular, there is no lack
of both precept and example. Lessons of great profit, even in this age
of educational progress, may be found in the history of God’s ancient
people.
The Lord reserved to Himself the education and instruction of
Israel. His care was not restricted to their religious interests. Whatever
affected their mental or physical well-being, became also an object of
divine solicitude, and came within the province of divine law.
God commanded the Hebrews to teach their children His require-
ments, and to make them acquainted with all His dealings with their
people. The home and the school were one. In the place of stranger
lips, the loving hearts of the father and mother were to give instruction
to their children. Thoughts of God were associated with all the events
of daily life in the home dwelling. The mighty works of God in the de-
liverance of His people were recounted with eloquence and reverential
awe. The great truths of God’s providence and of the future life were
impressed on the young mind. It became acquainted with the true, the
good, the beautiful.
By the use of figures and symbols the lessons given were illustrated,
and thus more firmly fixed in the memory. Through this animated
imagery the child was, almost from infancy, initiated into the mysteries,
the wisdom, and the hopes of his fathers, and guided in a way of
thinking and feeling and anticipating, that reached beyond things seen
and transitory, to the unseen and eternal.
From this education many a youth of Israel came forth vigorous in
body and mind, quick to perceive and strong to act, the heart prepared
like good ground for the growth of the precious seed, the mind trained
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to see God in the words of revelation and the scenes of nature. The
stars of heaven, the trees and flowers of the field, the lofty mountains,
the babbling brooks, all spoke to him, and the voices of the prophets,
heard throughout the land, met a response in his heart.
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