Regarding this posuk the Talmud states that “Hashem only grants wisdom to those in whom wisdom is already present“. Hashem only uses as an instrument for His Divine wisdom one who already possesses, having developed on his own, the gift of human wisdom. What is the indication that one has developed his gift of human wisdom? Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz Zt”l explains that one must be one “who seeks the word of Hashem”. A person must exhibit an unrelenting quest to attain an understanding of Torah in its depth and breadth. He must be diligent in guarding the fruits of the tree of Torah knowledge. Hashem’s light and inspiration demand a vessel which is prepared, willing, and capable of receiving it. He explains that Yehoshua, who became the leader of Klal Yisroel, exemplified this trait. We find that Hashem tells Moshe that he should choose Yehoshua for the next leader “a man of the spirit”. The Sforno explains this to mean “one who is prepared to receive the light of the Living King’s Countenance”. Yehoshua was selected to succeed Moshe as the leader of the Jewish nation and transmitter of the Torah although there were others whose stature initially surpassed his own, because he was a “seeker”. He sought unrelentlessly to attain as much knowledge as possible. It is impossible for anyone to perceive his own inherent potential. Therefore, one must strive to attain a level of Torah knowledge and overall greatness that far surpasses his apparent capabilities and appears to be out of reach. It is as a result of being a “seeker” that one realizes the greatest goals.
