p. 25 | The Cause of the Destruction by A. L. Miller

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 3, 1907

The Cause of the Destruction

By A. L. Miller

The Scripture says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” This refers to those who were and are connected with God’s people, including ancient and modern Israel.

The reason given for the destruction is “lack of knowledge.” It is important, then, that we understand what kind of knowledge the Lord means, and where such knowledge may be found. There is a wisdom which is “foolishness with God,” and there is a place where such wisdom is obtained.

Let us first inquire as to the kind of knowledge that leads to life. In Prov. 1:7 we read: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” and in Prov. 16:6, “By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.” From these two scriptures it is evident that departing from evil is the beginning of knowledge. But we can learn what evil is, and how to depart from it, only by a study of God’s Word.

We can never ascertain what evil is by delving into the “wisdom of this world,” for God hath “made foolish the wisdom of this world,” and “turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish.” 1 Cor. 1:20; Isa. 44:25. “The world by wisdom knew not God.” 1 Cor. 1:21. To this wisdom belongs the science which is not true science. It is the philosophical reasonings of men against which we are warned in Col. 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

In Job 28:20 we find these important questions: “Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?” Since true wisdom is not to be found in the wisdom of the world, where is it found? “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.” Verse 23. We must come unto him to obtain true knowledge. “My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. . . . For they are life unto those that find them.” “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Prov. 4:20, 22; 3:5, 6. By attending unto his words and acknowledging him in all our ways, we shall be filled, not with worldly wisdom, but with the wisdom of God.

This does not mean, as some have thought, that we should discard everything but the Bible. All teaching, whether from periodical or text-book, that is in perfect accord with the Word of God, is truly attending unto his words.

The text-books of the public schools, written by men of worldly wisdom, are mixed with truth and error. This is especially true in the readers, physical geography, geology, and astronomy. The error is sufficient to lead one away from God, away from eternal life. This is why the Lord has instructed his people to establish schools where text-books free from error are to be used and instruction in harmony with him to be given. If we “acknowledge him” in all our ways, where must our children and youth be educated? Our schools are not only established to impart true knowledge, but to prepare the youth to give to the world the third angel’s message, the last message of mercy.

A. L. MILLER.