Roots and Education

(Proverbs 4:13 KJV)  Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

We live in a day of universal public education.  It is available to anyone in this country.  It would be natural for us to see an admonition about “instruction” (4148) and think of going to school.  If we go that route then we should think more in terms of the one room school house with a stern taskmaster than the modern version based on self esteem, recess and special education. Those are all modern adaptations of that it means to go to school. 

The essence of the word is grounded in discipline and correction, not reading and writing.  The way to a productive and successful life is rooted in getting yourself under control.  Yes, it also will involve a body of knowledge and skill but those are useless unless our mind and will are brought into submission.

So?  Start with the law of God.  That law is not a matter of proper spelling or accurate addition.  It is a matter of solid values and impeccable morals.  With that foundation the book learning provides the tools for life.  Without them we are just fooling ourselves.