I have a friend that, when I hire someone, he asks me the same question, “Are they teachable?”
When he first started asking me that question, I did not quite appreciate the depth of its importance. Its importance has become obvious to me over the years.
Today, in chapter 9, we see “Wisdom in Action”!
Wisdom is busy. Wisdom has made herself very public. She has built a house, set a table, sent out invitations. Invitations that are loud and public.
We then see the issue—teachability—those who will answer her invitation.
Verses 7-9 make a distinction between a scoffer and a wise person.
A scoffer is someone who mocks or treats a person with contempt or disdain—and in this case it would the person who is seeking to offer them wisdom. In other words, “They are not teachable!”
The scoffer is so sure of themselves, then won’t even consider another point-of-view. Instead they dismiss it, and the person offering it, with disdain.
Who is it that will receive instruction? The wise person.
We are again reminded that the world has another voice vying for our attention. It too is loud and seductive (an interesting combination).
But here for me is the issue.
Which of these loud voices should I listen to?
How do we know?
God’s Word tells us.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom”. Are you and I in awe of God? Are we overwhelmed by the grace He has shown us in Jesus Christ?
Let me try an analogy.
When you first fall in love with someone, your eyes and ears are especially sensitive to notice and pickup on the things which delight them. I remember once giving my wife a simple Christmas gift. It wasn’t the biggest or most expensive. She had mentioned in passing one day that she liked something. It was a small item. I purchased it as a gift for Christmas.
The fact that I had noticed, that I was actively seeking to please her, made a real impression.
When we love God, when we are overwhelmed with his love for us, we seek Him as our highest calling.
To be clear, we cannot out love God. In fact, all this Wisdom He seeks to give us will yield the best possible life for us. Can we love Him enough to receive it?
Please do not view God’s Proverbs as some long list of “do’s and don’ts. Rather, view them as God’s gift to you whom He loves—allow Him to teach you.