The Need for Wisdom 极需智慧
Dexu Xia
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. Exodus 18:24
Growing up without a dad, Rob felt he missed out on a lot of practical wisdom that fathers often pass on to their children. Not wanting anyone to lack important life skills, Rob made a series of practical “Dad, How Do I?” videos demonstrating everything from how to put up a shelf to how to change a tire. With his kind compassion and warm style, Rob has become a YouTube sensation, amassing millions of subscribers.
Many of us long for the expertise of a parental figure to teach us valuable skills as well as help us navigate difficult situations. Moses needed some wisdom after he and the Israelites fled captivity in Egypt and were establishing themselves as a nation. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, saw the strain that settling disputes among the people was having on Moses. So Jethro gave Moses thoughtful advice on how to delegate responsibility in leadership (Exodus 18:17–23). Moses “listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said” (v. 24).
God knows we all need wisdom. Some may be blessed with godly parents who offer wise advice, and some aren't. But God’s wisdom is available to all who ask (James 1:5). He’s also provided wisdom throughout the pages of Scripture, which reminds us that when we humbly and sincerely listen to the wise, we “will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20) and have wisdom to share with others.
In what ways have you benefited from sage advice? Who might you come alongside?
Heavenly Father, help me to seek out and listen to wise counsel from the people You’ve put in my life.
摩西听从他岳父的话，按着他所说的去行。—出埃及记18章24节
自小就没有父亲的罗瑞，常觉得自己不像其他孩子拥有父亲所传授的实用生活智慧。他希望人人都能具备重要的生活技能，因此制作了一系列关于“老爸教我动手做”的实用影片，从如何组装架子到更换轮胎，内容包罗万象。罗瑞所展现的亲切和热心，使他成为知名网红，而且还累积了数百万名订阅者。
我们都渴望能有人向我们传授人生智慧，就如同父亲或母亲，不但教导我们宝贵的技能，更引导我们渡过困境。摩西带领以色列人脱离埃及的奴役，建立以色列国时，也极需智慧。摩西从早到晚审理百姓的纠纷，他的岳父叶忒罗看出，这对摩西而言过于繁重。于是，叶忒罗给予摩西明智的建议，把权责分派出去（出埃及记18章17-23节）。摩西就“听从他岳父的话，按着他所说的去行”（24节）。
上帝知道我们极需智慧。有些人的双亲敬虔爱主，能提供智慧的建言，而有些人则没有。但我们可以向上帝求智慧，因祂赐智慧给凡求告祂的人（雅各书1章5节）。此外，上帝也透过圣经的字字句句赐下智慧。箴言19章20节提醒我们，只要真诚谦卑地聆听智慧之言，我们不仅“终久有智慧”，而且还能与人分享智慧。
明智的建言曾使你在哪方面得帮助？
你可以为谁提供智慧之言？
亲爱的天父，感谢祢将有智慧的人放在我生命中，
请帮助我能寻求并聆听他们的智慧之言。