Proverbs 1:20-33
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
battle between good and evil/wisdom and fools
The book of Proverbs written by Solomon is a book filled with wisdom
In this book we would call these teachings Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. Wisdom in Hebrew is Hokmah and it is a feminine noun… Anyone ever bout a truck or jewelry and said isn’t she beautiful. So it was common but also easy for the man of wisdom to say Lady wisdom. We will see Lady Wisdom again in chapters 8 and 9
Lady Folly is known as The Adulterous Woman and a symbol of foolishness, sin, and self-destruction. She works in secret, using flattery and deceit to lure men to a path that leads to ruin and death. You will primarily see her in Chapter 9vs 13-18
Today, we hear the voice of Lady Wisdom calling out to us. Her message is not hidden in a secret place; it is proclaimed in the public square, at the city gates, and on the street corners. She wants to be heard.
I. The Invitation of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-23
Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Verse 20 begins, "Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares." This image is striking. Wisdom is not a shy, retiring figure. She is bold and confident. She stands where people gather, where the business of life is conducted, and she makes a public spectacle of herself for the sake of those who need to hear.
And to whom is she calling? Verse 22 tells us: "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"
Wisdom is calling to three distinct groups:
The Simple: The "simple" are those who are naive and easily led astray. They are not necessarily evil, but they lack discernment. They follow the crowd and are vulnerable to temptation because they haven't yet committed to a path of righteousness. Wisdom is calling them to a higher, more intentional way of life.
The Mockers: The "mockers" are the cynics, those who scorn spiritual truth and ridicule those who pursue it. They are not merely ignorant; they are actively hostile to the things of God. Wisdom is calling them to a change of heart, to turn from their arrogant rejection of truth.
The Fools: The "fools" are the most hardened of all. They don't just lack knowledge; they hate it. They are set in their ways and actively resist wisdom. They are self-assured in their folly and see no need for correction. Wisdom is calling to them, despite their deep-seated resistance.
Her call is an invitation to repent. She says in verse 23, "Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make known to you my teachings." This is a beautiful promise. If we are willing to listen to wisdom's correction—if we are willing to change our ways—she will not withhold her truth from us. She will pour it out generously. This is the heart of God: He desires to reveal Himself to those who humble themselves and seek Him.
II. The Consequences of Refusal (Proverbs 1:24-32
Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
Unfortunately, wisdom’s call is often rejected. Verses 24 and 25 paint a vivid picture of this rejection: "Since I called and you refused to listen, since I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke..."
Wisdom does not merely speak; she "stretches out her hand." This is an image of pleading, of a personal invitation. Yet, the response is indifference and refusal.
And what happens when Wisdom is rejected? The consequences are severe. Wisdom herself warns of what is to come:
Laughter in Calamity: Verse 26, "I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you." This is not a cruel or vindictive laughter. It is the laughter of justification. It is the natural, inevitable result of choosing a path of self-destruction. The wise person knows that following a foolish path leads to a fall, and when the fall comes, it validates the warnings that were ignored.
Unanswered Prayers: Verse 28, "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will look for me, but will not find me." When life falls apart, people often turn to God or seek a quick fix. But wisdom cannot be found on a whim. She must be sought diligently. A life of ignoring God's truth cannot be remedied by a desperate, last-minute plea. The path to wisdom must be walked with commitment.
The Inevitable End: Verse 31, "They will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes." This is a powerful metaphor for cause and effect. Our choices have consequences. We will ultimately reap what we sow. The simple, the mocker, and the fool who refuse wisdom will eventually face the bitter harvest of their own actions. Their disaster is not arbitrary; it is the natural, logical outcome of their own foolishness.
Verse 32 summarizes this grim reality: "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them." A life of simplemindedness and complacency is not a neutral position; it is a deadly path.
III. The Blessing of Heeding Wisdom Proverbs 1:33
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
The sermon concludes with a note of hope, a powerful promise for those who choose a different path. Verse 33 is the glorious contrast to the preceding verses. "But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
This is the promise for those who listen. Wisdom offers two incredible blessings:
Safety: To "live in safety" is to have security and protection. This doesn't mean we will never face problems, but it means that in the midst of life's storms, we are grounded. Our foundation is secure because we have built our lives on the rock of God's truth. Even through death we are safe
Peace: To "be at ease" is to have peace of mind. It is to be free from the constant anxiety and fear that plague those who are living in opposition to God's will. The person who lives wisely has a deep-seated peace that the world cannot give or take away.
The chapter begins with the destructive path of the wicked and the allure of evil gain (Proverbs 1:19), but it ends with the peace and safety found in a relationship with God. This is the difference. The pursuit of quick, easy wealth leads to destruction, but the pursuit of wisdom leads to true and lasting security.
Conclusion
Lady Wisdom is still ringing in the streets of our lives today. Are we simple, easily led astray? Are we mockers, cynical and resistant to truth? Or are we fools, hating knowledge and embracing our own way?
Today, wisdom is stretching out her hand to us. She is calling us to listen, to turn from our foolish ways, and to embrace the knowledge and teaching of God. Let us not be those who ignore her and face the bitter consequences. Instead, let us be those who listen and find true safety, peace, and security in the Lord.
May we seek His wisdom in all we do. Amen.
