Deuteronomy 4:5-6
” See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “
The Bible is God’s instruction to us and full of His statues, His love, His revelation, His requirements, and His saving grace. He teaches us everything we need through this word. It is food for our spiritual life.
Luke 4:4 says “And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.'”
In Deuteronomy 4, we see God’s instruction to Israel to listen to His statutes and rules that He is teaching them, for them to obey the laws of God so that they may live and take possession of the land that the Lord is giving them.
Likewise, my brothers and sisters in Christ, we too need to heed the word of Christ so that we may glorify Him and take possession of our inheritance by faith. Not only that, but also to be a light to this world that the world will say “surely these people are wise and understanding”, and that they may see your good works and bring glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)
Let us look at three ways you can do this.
Firstly, study scripture.
Scripture is critical because it is the source of true wisdom. Wisdom not as the world sees it, rather wisdom that leads to eternal life in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15 “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
You see, when you read scripture, it makes you wise for salvation. The scriptures here actually referees to the Old Testament scriptures, which were able to make Timothy “wise” in preparation for salvation through Jesus Christ. They disciplined him in obedience to God and pointed toward the coming Messiah, through whom salvation by faith is possible.
Friends, we now have the added blessing of having both the Old Testament and New Testament scriptures which gives instruction for life and the fruit that bears witness to our new life in Christ. So, we must study scripture because it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and training in righteousness, that you may be complete and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
So studying scripture is not optional, but essential if you are to be a wise and understanding person, shining the light of Christ to the world.
Secondly, keep and follow His words.
So, not only are we to study the scripture, but we are to keep and follow His commands. First, to study scripture, next to put it into action. Deuteronomy 29:9 says “Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”
Colossians 1:9-11 says “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;”
In the passage above, Paul is praying that the believers would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. In other words, you need to study the word, so that you will be filled with the knowledge of the will of God. His will has been revealed to us through scripture. Then the next section of this passage explains the result of being filled with the knowledge of His will.
The result is that you walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him. The scriptures provide the righteous requirements of God. When you do this, then you will begin to bear fruit in every good work, and you will continue to increase in the knowledge of God. Not only that, but you will also be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy.
When you study the word and follow it, then you will produce fruit in every good work. Many will see your fruit and bring glory to God.
Thirdly, make His ways known.
When we study and do what is in scripture, then we can shine the light of Jesus Christ to the world. We are to make Jehovah known to the world. So that the world may know that true wisdom and understanding is only found in Christ. When the light of Jesus shines on us, and as we continue to study His word and do His will, then the light of Jesus can shine through us into the world.
Psalm 67 says
“May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!”
As God shines His face on you, through your relationship with Him, may it also make known the ways of God and His saving power among all nations. Jesus also gave us this great commission to go unto all the world and teach all that He has commanded us. Matthew 28:19-20 says “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
So, friends, we are to be the light in the darkness, pointing to Christ. So that the world may look at the church, the people of God and say, “surely this is a wise and understanding people.” So everything you do, do it knowing that you are a representation of God. That you are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), displaying wisdom and understanding in all you do.
Make the ways of the Lord known. As you study the word, follow what it says and proclaim Him to the world. The world will look on His people and say “‘ Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ “
God bless.
