“선한 일을 위하여 지으심을 받은 자니”(엡 2:10)

Steps Towards Wisdom (2)
“Listen, My Son"
scripture: Proverbs 1:8-9

The journey towards wisdom takes time. This is because wisdom cannot be acquired instantly; it flows out when we become wise. Last week, we learned that wisdom is the ability to make the right choices and carry them out in any situation. While I cannot promise that everyone will become wise through this series, the steps towards wisdom have begun. As we walk this path, there will come a moment when we realize we have become wise, making and executing wise choices.

As mentioned last week, the first step towards wisdom is “the fear of the Lord,” and the second step can be described as “listening.” Today's scripture emphasizes “listen.” The Bible recounts the story of God speaking and a son who does not listen.

The first example is Adam.

From the moment we open the Bible, God clearly states that we are created to live according to His words. In Genesis 2:15-17, God gives instructions about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, detailing how we should live. However, in Genesis 3:6, humanity disobeys and eats from that tree. The core of the fall into sin lies in humanity's choice to listen to the serpent's voice or their own internal temptations rather than God's words. Similarly, in our lives, when we listen to and follow our inner voice, we stumble. When we refuse to listen to God's words, our lives collapse.

The second son who did not listen to God's words is Israel.

In Exodus 4:22, God refers to Israel as “My son, My firstborn.” In His work of salvation, God chose the Hebrew people first, allowing Jesus Christ to be born among them so that the gospel would be preached to the whole world and all nations could be saved. In this sense, Israel is God’s firstborn son. God rescued this son from slavery in Egypt and, after a 40-year period of training in the wilderness, conveyed His message through Moses' farewell sermon beginning with “Hear, O Israel” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). God instructed them to internalize His words, teach them to their children, and keep them close; this became the essence of Jewish faith. Yet, like in the wilderness, Israel failed to listen, leading to the division of the kingdom and ultimately to both Israel and Judah being conquered and destroyed by different nations.

During the time of the prophet Jeremiah, Israel declared that they would obey God’s word without question. Still, after receiving it, they failed to listen and accused Jeremiah of lying, only choosing to hear what they wanted. Jeremiah 32:33 states, “They have turned their backs to me and not their faces.” We tend to be unresponsive. Jeremiah 22:21 also indicates that we inherently refuse to listen. We must recognize this tendency within us, as we are not very different from the Israelites.

This refusal is amplified, especially in this age. Platforms like YouTube use algorithms to show us only what interests us. We need to be cautious; this is not the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How can we wisely respond? We must realize, “This is what I am interested in now.” If we find ourselves trapped by this, we must maintain balance. This is a wise response. Without wisdom, we may consume content mindlessly and go to extremes.

The third son is Jesus, the Son of God. He lived by listening to God’s words. In John 8:28, He states, “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.” In John 5:30, He says, “I can do nothing by myself; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” Although He is God, He first listens to the Father’s words before acting. The most decisive moment is His death on the cross. The cross is both power and the wisdom of God. Satan thought everything ended with Jesus’ death, but through the wisdom of God, the cross became how humanity is forgiven.

In conclusion, why does listening to God’s word make us wise?

Romans 10:17 tells us that we are saved when we hear and respond to the word. When we are saved, our fundamental nature goes through a change. The spirit that was dead within us comes to life, allowing us to understand God’s word. As we accumulate and digest this understanding, we become wise. This is only possible through listening.

But why do people refuse to listen? Even though listening leads to life, they often don’t or selectively listen. This is evident in our relationships. Proverbs 22:17 states, “Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach.” Our good God the Father speaks to us, saying, “Listen” through the relationship between Father and Son. 

1. Wisdom comes from listening

Sharing Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced someone you were responsible for (like a child or subordinate) not listening to you? How did you react?
2. Are there commandments God is calling me to listen to?

Application Point: 

Read through Proverbs 1 to see what words of God you need to hear.