Warnings Against Rejecting Wisdom
Tuesday Devotional: We are now focusing on the book of Proverbs! Wow, some powerful in your face stuff today, read it and heed these words.
LISTEN TO TODAY’S READING
PROVERBS 1:20-33
VERSES 20-23 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
VERSES 24-27 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you, when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
VERSES 28-32 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
VERSES 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.
VERSES 20-33 CATHY’S THOUGHTS
VERSES 20-23 It appears that wisdom is depicted as a women (of course). Kind of like a motherly figure that we should listen to. She is begging us to listen to what she has to say or we will suffer grave consequences. She is willing to share her “wisdom” with any one that will listen. The problem is every single person is aware of this wisdom but very few people actually will listen.
VERSES 24-27 so few people listen that she clearly says she will laugh when they realize they should have listened. A few things should be said about Wisdom’s attitude here, which seems unfeeling and cavalier. The first is that Wisdom not only says she will laugh when this misfortune happens, but also that she will not answer when her audience finally comes to its senses and calls out to her. Even if they search diligently for her, they will not find her (it’s too late). This is seen throughout the entire bible, God is trying to impart wisdom and knowledge on people and they just don’t listen.
VERSES 28-32 Among other things, such statements about not listening or not being findable indicate the severity of the situation: in truth, Wisdom is not simply “hawking a ware”; she is a preacher discussing life-and-death issues. These statements also indicate there is a statute of limitations on such important matters. One cannot live foolishly forever without reaping the bad fruit. And when those results come in, it is too late to undo the path that produced them. Wisdom’s laugh, in short, is nothing but an “I-told-you-so” that is well after the fact and well deserved. In the world of wisdom, the foolishness of fools and their demise are not without irony and humor. Wisdom is not hoping people don’t listen so she can laugh, she is making it a point that it is their failure to listen to Wisdom that brings about their problems in the first place. This again is the equivalent to rejecting the fear of the LORD. Foolish behavior, in the end, is not just foolish, it is blatant disrespect for God and what He offers us.
VERSES 33 As we can see Wisdom makes it very clear that the foolish will reap of harvest of not so good consequences. However, those few that do listen, life will be a bit more simple, less complicated, and less painful. She is not implying that living a life of wisdom is easy, but it is the life the Lord would like us to choose.
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
DAILY DEVOTIONALS are biblical based mini studies to encourage you, help you grow on your journey, and to inspire you to share with others!
- Sunday: Video teachings with a variety of teachers, bishops, and pastors.
- Monday: Hearing from God Each Morning (365 Daily Devotional) Joyce Meyer
- Tuesday: Study of a book in the bible along with scripture readings (Proverbs)
- Wednesday: Jesus Calling; Enjoying Peace in His Presence (365 Daily Devotional) Sarah Young
- Thursday: Becoming A Vessel God Can use; Donna Partow
- Friday: Devotions from the Mountains by Lisa Ham
- Saturday: Created For Excellence; 12 Keys to Godly Success, Kevin Baerg
