The Tongue of a Teacher

The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens–wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me.

(Isaiah 50:4-8 NRSV)

“The Lord has given me the tongue of a teacher,
to listen as those who are taught”.

We like that idea, Lord;
when it’s applied to us.
We like to be thought of as wise;
that we’ve seen it all before;
that we know the way of things.

“If you need any advice, just ask.”
Drawing more comfort from the saying than the hearing.

“If you want my view . . .
I’m no expert, but . . .
A word to the wise . . .
If I were you . . .
Have you ever thought about . . .
I don’t want to criticise, but . . .”

We wear the weary with our wisdom.

But the tongue of the teacher
is the tongue of the one who is taught;
the tongue of one who will listen;
who hears your conversation over bread and wine;
the tired footsteps of a burdened body;
the anguish of nails, wood, flesh, blood.

The tongue of the teacher is the tongue of one
who hears, daily, the echoes of the cross
and offers not a monologue of pretentious learning,
but a word of hope, a sentence of encouragement;
not a lecture of condemnation,
but a prayer for healing.
The tongue of the teacher
is the tongue of one who is taught;
knowing crucifixion;
hearing of resurrection;
silent in the presence of God.

Nigel Carter