READ: Proverbs 9:1-6 & 13-18
MEMORY VERSE
“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still.” Proverbs 9:9
BACKGROUND
After Kat learned she was pregnant, she dropped out of high school to care for her daughter. Fifteen years later, Kat was a working mother of three who dreamed of becoming a licensed beautician. With humility and tenacity, she became a student again in a free GED support program.
It was humbling to go back to school after so long. “This program changed my life!” Kat said. “My teacher was amazing and offered so much encouragement.”
Remaining teachable may be one of the most difficult things we can do. The Bible speaks of having a teachable heart that’s open to God’s wisdom. The poetry of Proverbs paints a picture of two women calling out to passersby—Wisdom and Folly (Proverbs 9:1-6; 13-18).
Those who listen to Wisdom receive correction with grace. They “add to their learning” and become even wiser (v. 9). They habitually “walk in the way of insight” (v. 6) and seat themselves at Wisdom’s table for instruction. Their obedience leads to a full life (v. 11).
In contrast, those who listen to Folly hate being corrected or criticized. They insult anyone who tries to instruct them (vv. 7-8). Humility comes from fearing God—acknowledging that He’s “the Holy One” and we are not (v. 10).
It’s not easy to stay teachable, but it also brings freedom to admit we don’t know it all and we still need help. Wisdom calls to us. How will we respond?
Karen Pimpo
INSIGHT
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses,” Moses told Israel shortly before his death. Then he exhorted them: “Choose life . . . . love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
Proverbs reinforces this prudent counsel to forsake deadly ways and choose life. Chapter 9 is the last of three chapters that contrast folly and wisdom by personifying these concepts as female characters.
In chapter 7, a father urges his son, “Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister’ ” (v. 4) but warns against the adulterous woman: “Do not let your heart turn to her ways” (v. 25).
Chapters 7, 8, and 9 all conclude with warnings about the deadly end awaiting those who neglect wisdom (7:26-27; 8:35-36; 9:18). Instead, “Leave your simple ways and you will live” (9:6). By cultivating a teachable heart, fools grow wiser and draw closer to God.
Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
What’s your default reaction to criticism? How could a humble response lead to growth and victory?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“It’s not easy to stay teachable, but it also brings freedom to admit we don’t know it all and we still need help… By cultivating a teachable heart, fools grow wiser and draw closer to God.”
PR’s TAKE
“Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you’d have preferred to talk” Doug Larson
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing” Socrates
“A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” John C. Maxwell
PRAYER
“Receiving instruction doesn’t always come naturally to me, wise Father, but I trust Your ways.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“W-I-S-D-O-M” Sovereign Grace Music”
There is something that’s better than the latest toy
There is something that never can be destroyed
It’s worth more than jewels and gold
Or anything money can buy
W-I-S-D-O-M spells wisdom, I need it
W-I-S-D-O-M in Your Word, I find it
I need Your wisdom, Lord, each day
Left to my own self I always tend to go astray
But in the Bible You reveal Your perfect ways
You teach me to think like You
Instead of being a fool
I wanna love it, live it, learn it, read it (W-I-S-D-O-M!)
I wanna know it, think it, speak it, breathe it (W-I-S-D-O-M!)
