Thus saith
Lord, Stand ye in ways, and see, and ask for old paths, where is good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Sometimes Teachers of Biblical Times Had to Learn Things Hard Way.
Some taught prophetically ...
Thus saith Lord God; Woe unto foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
The prophets prophesy falsely, and priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in end thereof? The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and deceit of their heart.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith Lord. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith LORD.
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves ... wolves ravening prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into world.
Some taught legally ...
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by word of God heavens were of old, and earth standing out of water and in water. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, vail is upon their heart.
I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers. Out of same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Some were fed spiritual things, but kept it to themselves.
As I live, saith Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear word of Lord ...
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and sons of alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. For wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Some taught others, but didn't apply it to themselves.
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying power thereof. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of fruits.
Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by door into sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, same is a thief and a robber. But he that is an hireling, and not shepherd, whose own sheep are not, seeth wolf coming, and leaveth sheep, and fleeth: and wolf catcheth them, and scattereth sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for sheep.
Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? But as a wife that committeth adultery, which taketh strangers instead of her husband ... For thy Maker is thine husband; Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer Holy One of Israel; The God of whole earth shall he be called.
