“I don’t want to be taught!” my four-year-old yelled through tears. Her older sister was attempting to teach her chess, but my youngest thought the rules did not apply to her. She stole pieces left and right, sending her Bishop straight ahead to snatch the Queen instead of methodically moving diagonally. Her goal was total domination, no matter how it happened. She had no need (or patience) for learning the rules. The game ended rather quickly as my older daughter was discouraged by the unfairness and refused to play with a rule-breaker. Chaos ensued, feelings were hurt, breakfast was delayed.
Oh sweet child, how honest you are.
While the rest of us are trying to white-knuckle a disciplined outward appearance, my youngest daughter’s disdain for being taught was in full display. It caused me to consider the state of my own heart, how often I might resent being shown my lack of wisdom and knowledge in matters more weighty than chess. Despite following Christ for most of my life, I find I am often still trying to go it alone, trying to prove I know the rules (or can make my own) and can safely play by them.
The word instruction is found 21 times in Proverbs alone (ESV). Instruction is so prized that the writer of Proverbs states the purpose of the book right up front:
“To know wisdom and instruction…to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity.” (Prov 1:2-3)
Twice in the book, those who despise instruction are called fools. Ouch. What a rebuke. I do not usually consider my “do-it-yourself” attitude on par with the posture of a fool, but Proverbs makes me think again. Not only are the rejectors of instruction labeled fools, but Proverbs 1:7 equates the “fear of the LORD” with “knowledge,” directly contrasting it with those “fools” who “despise wisdom and instruction.” The writer of Proverbs makes clear that to reject wise instruction is to follow crooked paths and reject the good knowledge of God himself.
What are we to do with this good, yet searing, word from Proverbs? Is all lost? Will I wake up tomorrow scuttling my chances at wisdom once again, trying to prove I know all I need to know? Possibly. But that does not mean I am without hope.
Consider Paul’s words to the Corinthian Christians as he tells them about “Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). As one kept by Christ, I take refuge in him as my source of wisdom and power instead of my own. Following my own rules is like walking in darkness. How can I do that if I identify with the “light of the world” (John 8:12)?
We have hope as we learn, grow, and are sanctified because of Jesus — God’s word and wisdom to us. God graciously keeps me in his light, patiently instructing and kindly guiding me into his “paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Ps 23:3; emphasis added).
After taking some time to cool off, my daughters decided to try chess again. Surprisingly, my youngest listened to her older sister’s reasoning and relented, acknowledging her lack of knowledge and her need for help in understanding the rules. Her desire for friendship and fellowship overcame her desire to win at all costs. The morning re-started with a restored peace between my children as they worked together to understand the complex game of chess.
Featured image by freepik.com
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Hi Erica! What you wrote reminded me of the Child Jesus, and how, at the end of Luke 2, the Gospel says, \\\”And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man\\\” (Luke 2: 52). How wild and wonderful that Christ Himself was instructed, that He grew in wisdom! Thank you Erica!