The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to
him that is weary… (Isaiah 50:4)
The gentleness of our Savior
This study of the Bible reveals the gentle nature of the Messiah. All that the Father has given Him is used not to berate people, destroy people, or condemn them (after all the people have done all those things to themselves). Christians must never misunderstand the mission of Christ and own mission. They must spread a Gospel message that is one of compassion, understanding, gentleness, kindness, mercy and grace.
A Word in Season: Perspectives on Christian World Missions
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. (Luke 4:18-20)
Jesus sees the people who have sold themselves to sin as “weary” and He has an appropriate word for them in their condition. They are dispersed, they are reaping the consequences of their sin, but Jesus is concerned for them. He could understandably have harsh words for them, but instead, He has words to succor them.
Similarly, Jesus has words to succor the spiritual weary who have lost sight of the finish line or have willfully turned out of the Way.
The tongue of the learned
Even as God equipped His Son to speak a word in season, so should those who profess His name. There is no doubt that the
people were responsible for their horrific condition.
Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away. (Isaiah 50:1)
Human nature is quick to condemn those who made bad choices, but those who have learning from God have appropriate words that can succor those who have failed. We should strive for this helpful, compassionate attitude when dealing with those in need.
Disappointing results
In spite of the kind words offered by the Lord, the people disappoint both Him and us: they did not accept His compassionate help.
Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst. (Isaiah 50:2)
The Word of Truth: A Summary of Christian Doctrine Based on Biblical Revelation
Learning God’s way
Perhaps the resistance to God’s kindness is why Jesus had to receive the tongue of the learned. It’s not a natural response for human beings either, even if we are born again. We want to criticize those who have fallen. We want to punish those who have done wrong. Here people willingly sold themselves to sin and God wants them to receive a word in season, not a word of rebuke.
How horrible it is when those who have left the Way receive harsh words from those who supposedly represent the Lord! They should always count on kind words that will help them whenever they hear from the Lord or from His people.
God’s will is that we should “speak a word in season” to those around us. May our prayer today be that God will give us the tongue of the learned, so we too can fulfill His will.
No comments yet.