The Tongue of the Learned

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/HO3wT)

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.  He wakens morning by morning; He wakens my ear to hear as the learned.  The Lord God has opened my ear and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.”

Isaiah 50:4-5

When we “hide His Word in our hearts” (Ps. 119:11), “abide in Him” (Jn. 15:1-7) and “walk in His Spirit” (Rom. 8:1), He will fill our minds with His thoughts and our tongue with His words.

“Why, I was at a loss for words.”

How many times have you heard someone say that or said those words yourself?  If the truth be known, most folks have experienced that fear-invoking, stomach-churning situation at one time or the other.



That’s why speaking in public is more dreaded than death itself by so many.

There mere thought of standing up in front of others makes their heart race. . .their palms begin to perspire. . .their breathing to grow shallow and rapid, etc.  And, even if they do get up and make it through their presentation okay, they’re drained and a nervous wreck when they finish.



But, dear Pilgrim, today’s Manna is not talking about the “gift of gab” or reserved for those who “never met a stranger” and can wax loud and long on any subject without prior preparation.

No, it’s talking about Spirit-led and Spirit-anointed conversation.  And, even though the context of our Manna basically refers to the coming Messiah (Jesus), the words are still applicable to us—for Jesus said He gives us the power to do “even greater works than He did because He goes unto His Father and is praying for us even now” (Jn. 14:12-14; Heb. 7:24-25).



This also applies to our giving a verbal witness or testimony of God’s moving in our lives and world.  The Hebrew word “limmuwd” is used here for “learned” and basically means “one who is instructed, a learner, disciple, one taught, etc.” and comes from the deeper root “lamad,” which means “to goad, teach, an expert, instructor, etc.”



Thus, it’s the picture of one who’s sat at the feet of a renown teacher and  then shares such knowledge with others.  Never forget God’s Word is never for “private interpretation” (II Pet. 1:20)—i.e., for our own personal benefit; instead, He instructs us in the Christ-life and the Way of Righteousness so we can teach/lead/disciple others to do the same (Mt. 28:18-20).



It was no accident that the vindictive leaders of the Sanhedrin—so filled with hate toward Peter and John—could “say nothing against them or their Message” that day when the “Dynamic Duo” stood before them (Acts 4:14b).  The one who’d been healed at the Beautiful Gate was there as living proof of Christ’s Power (Acts 4:14a); but, even more, they observed the disciples’ boldness came because “they’d been with Jesus” (v.13).  Hallelujah!!  The same is true for us, Pilgrim; therefore, don’t be afraid to speak up for Jesus.  He’ll help you.

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated July 15, 2010