Tuesday: The Call of Wisdom
Read Proverbs 1:20-21. How is wisdom presented here? What is being told to us?
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
While the sinners lie in wait
and lurk secretly
(Prov. 1:11, Prov 1:18, NKJV), wisdom calls aloud outside
(Prov. 1:20, NKJV), cries out in the chief concourses
(Prov. 1:21, NKJV), and speaks her words
(Prov. 1:21, NKJV). Wisdom is here personified, and her offer is given to the man and the woman on the street. It is for everyone in the real business of life. Amid the noise and rancor of so many products and so many sellers, the call of wisdom must be loud; otherwise, she would not be heard against the clamor of so many other voices.
Read Proverbs 1:22–32. What is the result of rejecting wisdom?
The reason that people reject wisdom has nothing to do with wisdom itself and everything to do with the character of those who reject her. These are described as arrogant and disdainful (Prov. 1:25, compare with Prov. 1:30), as if they know better. The implication is that wisdom is for the naive and the simple. And yet those who reject wisdom are simple and naive; they are fools who hate knowledge
(Prov. 1:22, NKJV; compare with Prov. 1:29).
Those who reject wisdom will reap the fruit of their rejection. Having refused to choose the fear of the Lord, they will have to be content with themselves: they will be full with their own fancies
(Prov. 1:31, NKJV). When we reject wisdom from above, we often end up with the fables and lies that we fabricate for ourselves, or the fables and lies that others fabricate for us and that we so readily accept. In this way, we replace God with idols. Ironically, those who despise religion, mocking those they judge as simple and naive, often are superstitious in their own way, placing value on the most fleeting and useless of things that, in the end, can never satisfy the most basic needs of the heart.
Read Proverbs 1:33. Given the context in what came before, what promise and hope is found here for us? How is this promise manifested in our own experience?
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Prov 1:20-21
V20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares.
V21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words:
Wisdom, being capacity to put knowledge to practice, is personified and hence will speak:
- To all who will listen;
- In clear tones spelling out consequences
- In tones to give hope at the same time
- With reason to show that choice determines destiny
- To give guidance on conduct
- To assure peace to those who gain (it) wisdom
- In so many ways eg laws and objects, conscience, prompting of Spirit, Word of God
Those who accept wisdom reap rewards. Those who reject wisdom reap consequences. We see this in our lives, those of our children, and in society itself. Research has revealed that the average brain is not developed to make long term decisions that impact the rest of one's life until around the age of 25. Hence, it behooves us that, for as long as possible, we should keep our children in social and educational environments that will help them develop and make wise and Christ-like decisions.
This lesson is deep even or especially for us as Christians. Rejecting wisdom is rejecting the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Hmmmmm... How often do we do that?
Yes, When we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit we reject wisdom. I had the experience last evening of listening to His guidance over a matter I was distressed about. I was amazed how instantly the Lord put my mind at peace when I acknowledge the Spirit's reminder that I had nothing to fear. I was to be encouraged for God is with me and will hold me up with his victorious right hand.
This wisdom is not just for our children, it is for us too.
I am grateful for that fact that wisdom is portrayed as crying out loud, pleading to be heard in the open streets. That to be indicates that wisdom is accessible to all no matter what background, status or vocation of life we may come from! May God help us therefore to take heed to her so that we may make the most of this short time we have this side of heaven (as per Psalm 90v12) as we prepare for our eternal home of bliss where even greater depth so Divine Wisdom will be opened up to us throughout the ceaseless ages. I certainly wouldnt want to miss out on that! Would you?
Heres Psalm 90v12 in a number of different translations. I found this fascinating:
New International Version
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
New Living Translation
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
English Standard Version
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
New American Standard Bible
So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
King James Bible
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.
International Standard Version
teach us to keep account of our days so we may develop inner wisdom.
NET Bible
So teach us to consider our mortality, so that we might live wisely.
Paying for our foolishness is as obvious as the fact that to be alive we need to breath. The fancies that come with foolish acts are manifested by the suffering and pitiable life in old age. such is what the world runs after making life meaningless. But why should have God given a meaningless life? its our choice, as we pay for our foolishness
And yet, though we believers also deserve to reap the consequences of our foolish, even rebellious choices, God's grace and love covers us. Many times He has saved me from those consequences. That's not a license to sin, rather a reason to praise and wonder at His ever-present love.
The beginng of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, the result of getting wisdom is that we dwell safe and secure and don't fear evil.
This is so reassuring - those who have worldly wisdom mock those who trust the LORD's Word as being simple, but the LORD tells us they are the simple ones and their end is death while those that get God's wisdom will dwell safely with Him forever.
Beautiful imagery in illustrating wisdom. I like it.