Yes, there were scholars long ago in Biblical times
There were scholars long ago in Biblical times. Scholars are not a new modern-day thing. Of course, scholars were rarer back then, since there were not many equivalents of universities. Let's look at some of the most well-known scholars of Biblical times: the three wise men who went in search of Jesus. It seems that these men were scholars of some sort, most likely astronomers. They had taken note of a new star that had appeared in the sky:
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2: 1-12
The scholars were given instructions by King Herod to search for Jesus. Herod claimed this was because he wanted to worship Jesus too, but in reality Herod wanted to kill Jesus. This was because he knew from being told by the priests and scribes that Jesus was born to be king of the Jews.
The scholars listened to Herod and found Jesus, but they listened to God above Herod. They saw Jesus for who He was: the one born to be king of the Jews. So when they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they knew it was God talking to them.
The scholars surely would have been fearful for their lives as they returned to their country another way. Herod would certainly be angry when he couldn't find the scholars on their way home. Yet the scholars listened to God and they knew that God was higher than Herod.
Being a scholar is not mutually exclusive to knowing and loving God and to listening to Him above all. These men were excellent astronomers and were renowned enough academically that when they arrived in Jerusalem, Herod summoned them to find out more. Even though Herod's reasons were malicious, he recognized the academic ability of these scholars.
Scholars are not a new thing, nor are they incompatible with religion. These scholars had an important mission to fulfill in the Bible, and they did it with academic competence and while listening to God. If you are a scholar, rest assured that the Bible is not "out of touch" with what you are doing today.
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