1. Firstly, because knowledge of God and His ways is the greatest
have committed it. Thus, knowledge is the source of it— committed "after receiving the knowledge of the truth"
(Hebrews 10:27-28).
II. These are the demonstrations of it; here are the reasons:
1. Firstly, because knowledge of God and His ways is the greatest mercy after saving grace. "He hath not dealt so with every nation." In what way? By "giving the knowledge of His ways."
And just as this applies to nations, it applies to individuals as well. Therefore, when Christ speaks of the gift of knowledge and gives the reason why it condemns greatly, He says, "For to whom much is given, much is required." In other words, knowing His master's will is the greatest talent of all. There is great value in that. This was also recognized by the pagans. They acknowledged the foolish wisdom of moral and natural philosophy as their greatest excellence. Plato, for example, expressed gratitude to God for three things: being a man, an Athenian, and a philosopher. The apostle refers to this excellence they professed in Romans 1:22. Even Solomon, amidst all vanities, states that this is the best vanity, surpassing folly as light surpasses darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:13). Certainly, the knowledge of the law and of God as revealed to us must be much more excellent. The Jews also held their knowledge in high regard, as demonstrated by the apostle in Romans 2. They boasted in the law and their form of knowledge, approving what is excellent. All other means, including the two great books—the creation and the word—serve to increase knowledge. If everything leads to this, then knowledge is the greatest mercy of all.