Swift to Listen

"He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him."

Proverbs 18:13

"Think before you speak," my dad used to say.  "You have two ears but only one mouth so you should listen twice as much as you speak."  There is great practical wisdom in these sayings.  Solomon warned his son of the folly of answering a matter before he hears it.  When people came before King Solomon for judgment, he needed to listen to both sides and also consult God's Word before a decision could be made.  We are satisfied to have knowledge and to share it, but if we answer without first listening it is folly and shame to us.

Jesus provides a great example for us in His first public interaction with the scribes and Pharisees.  After Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem assuming He was with them, Jesus at 12 years of age remained in the Temple and conversed with the greatest elders and scholars in the land.  Luke 2:46-47 reads, "Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers."  Jesus is a unique case because He not only was the author of the Law but also knew perfectly the hearts and thoughts of men.  Though armed with such knowledge Jesus listened first and then asked questions.  I can be guilty of thinking I know where people are coming from before I bother to ask.

In the ancient tradition Jesus assumed the position of a teacher because He sat down.  He was surrounded by doctors, lawyers, and scribes who were astonished at His understanding and answers.  Instead of lecturing or trotting out arguments before those who gathered, Jesus listened.  How instructive Christ's wisdom in listening first is for us!  Questions and statements posed were met with questions from Jesus which revealed a depth of understanding which amazed those who stood around.  When we are asked a question, let us be mindful to ask questions before we rush to an answer.  We can answer a question correctly but miss the point of why the question was asked in the first place, aiming for heads and not hearts.

Better than providing our answer to a question, let us ask ourselves:  how and what has God spoken on the matter?  Are there biblical examples to consider?  The fool does not consider God in his thoughts, and for children of God to ignore what He has spoken is frankly shameful.  James 1:19-20 puts it like this:  "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."  Too often we mix up the order entirely and are quick to wrath, thus rush to speak, and do not listen at all.  Praise the LORD He leads us in wisdom and provides additional opportunities to obey Him in the future.