Taken from New International Dictionary of Theology ( Colin Brown - roots of education)
Vol 3 page 776
“ The OT bears witness to God’s self revelation to Israel and intervention in his life. In response to His love and care for the chosen people, He expects in return trust and obedience. The priestly nation is to be stamped with God’s nature, and to become increasingly fitted for the sphere of His holiness. The trouble that God has with His people forces Him to severe disciplinary measures, or chastening. But God does not educate in order to achieve an ideal; He watches over His people’s faithfulness, which He intends should flow from trust and from that constant readiness to hear and truly listen which arises from obedience ( to the prophetic message). This education by God, which Israel is ever trying to escape, although for its own good, is shared equally by all members of the nation. There is no special religious education of the young. It is God who educates, and the upbringing of children takes place within the sphere of this God who instructs in love and punishes because of the recalcitrance of His own.
The educational aim of God is to lead His people ( ministry not tyranny) to the realization that they owe their existence to the saving will of Yahweh alone, and therefore owe obedience to their divine instructor ( Deut. 8:1-6). “
Stop – take a breath ---
Page 777
“How does the education of the young proceed in Israel ? God commands that they obey their parents, who are next to Him in importance. The father acts like a priest to the family. He hands on the tradition to the family; he does so in answer to the question of his children ( see Exodus 12:26 ff), and his answer is a confession of God’s saving activity towards Israel. The children are told of this not only in words, but also by means of impressive signs in the form of monumental stones ( Joshua 4:6,21). Education takes place in the execution of justice ( see Achan /and Deut 21:21), and in the teaching of the law. There is no theory of education, no special institutions; but the young become accustomed to the life of the nation, which stands under the loving discipline of God. Watching and listening, they enter into the inheritance of their forefathers. For he who hears aright will obey.”
