Below is a chart that shows a huge decline in learning from 1962 through to 1994.
The other picture above shows a Geography quiz given to 4th Graders in 1862. How many of these questions could you or I answer off the top of our heads????
(Pictures thanks to Pastor Dr Andy Woods from Sugarland Bible Church on his verse by verse sermon on Daniel 1)
Why such a huge decline in knowledge? There’s a simple answer to that.
Up until 1962, The Holy Bible was taught in schools. The Bible is the word of God, who is our creator. It is God Himself who gives knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
When you read Daniel 1, Daniel and his 3 friends who were captured from Israel, and taken to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, to train up Daniel and his 3 companions and many others in the Babylon Pagan ways. The King even changed Daniel and his 3 friends names from a Jewish Biblical name to a Pagan Babylon name which represented the Pagan gods. He was intent on indoctrinating them.
However, Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the Kings choice food and drink. So Daniel and his 3 friends didn’t defile themselves. God granted Daniel favor and compassion with the commander of the Officials. The 10 day trial proved successful. This allowed Daniel and his 3 friends to continue not to defile themselves.
In doing so, God gave Daniel and his 3 companions knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom. Daniel even understood all kinds of dreams and visions.
Then at the end of the 3 years of training. They had an face to face interview with the King. Out of All that was interviewed, there was none like Daniel and his 3 companions. The King promoted them. God rewards faithfulness.
When you read through the book of Daniel, not once did Daniel compromise in his faith with God. No matter how much the King of Babylon tried to indoctrinate him with his pagan ways. Daniel was thrown into the den of Lions, but God protected Daniel and he was not harmed. This spoke volumes to the King. Daniel stayed true to God and God’s word. Daniel spent so much time in prayer to God etc. God rewards faithfulness.
I myself, can also testify that as I read the Bible daily, God Blesses me with knowledge. After all, scriptures tell us, it’s God who gives knowledge wisdom and understanding.
By removing the Bible from Schools, knowledge, wisdom and understanding decreases big time. The evidence is clear. This is why it’s so vitally important to read the Bible daily. To teach the Bible in schools etc etc.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9: 10“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Hosea 4: 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Proverbs 2
The Benefits of Wisdom
1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
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