“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness,” (ESV). For my part (personally), I am of a nature that would rather have other men do this kind of work, so that I could slip into the background somewhere. . . . But the sovereign Lord had other plans for me, (and they did not include a retreat from the church’s public ministry).

In John 3:10, our blessed and beloved Lord Jesus Christ honors Nicodemus, by referring to him as, “the teacher of Israel.”  At that exact time, at least, Nicodemus did not appear to be the best, nor the most enlightened of “the teacher[s] of Israel”–but nonetheless, he (presumably-rightly) held the position legally and appropriately.

There are still “teacher[s] of Israel” today, and all of them, without exception, are members of theologically-orthodox Christian church communions.  Among these “teacher[s] of Israel,” some of them are regenerate new creatures in Christ; and some of them are not.  Even those who are not true Christians are in many cases able to teach scripturally-orthodox truth.  The “teacher[s] of Israel” who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit are, by far and away, the preferred instructors in Christ’s church.

These “teacher[s] of Israel” are ordained ministers; and their calling is (largely) to preach, teach, exhort, lead, guide, shepherd, and set the example for the flock (church) of Christ.  Only those who know and love the Lord Jesus can do this (humanly-impossible) task adequately, and in the way that truly pleases God.

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