05 Proverbs Heed the Call of Sophia

"THE BOOK OF PROVERBS"

Heed The Call Of Sophia (1:20-33)

INTRODUCTION

We have seen that wisdom requires...

Fearing the Lord, so that we heed His Word - Pr 1:7

Respecting our parents, so that we listen to their advice - Pr 1:8-9

Not heeding friends who have us join them in doing evil - Pr 1:10-19

At this point, Solomon personifies wisdom as a woman...

A motif used several times in the first nine chapters - e.g., Pro 8:1-5 ; 9:1-6

A virtuous woman, later contrasted with the foolish woman who leads astray - Pr 9:13-18

[In Greek, the word for wisdom is sophia. To emphasize wisdom's personification as a woman, we'll use the name "Sophia" as we examine the text for our lesson (Pr 1:20-33). Notice first of all...]

SOPHIA'S PLEA

MADE PUBLICLY... (Prov 1:20-21)

She calls aloud outside, in the open squares

She cries in the streets, at the gates of the city

-- Wisdom is not hidden, but reaches out to all who will listen - cf. Pr 8:1-5

TO THOSE WHO NEED HER... (1:22)

Simple ones, who love simplicity - the morally naive, easily influenced by others

Scorners, who delight in their scorning - the cynical and defiant, prone to ridicule others

Fools, who hate knowledge - those hardened to the point of hating that which is good

-- People caught up in varying degrees of hardness of heart - e.g., 

Ephesians 4:17–19 “This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

BE FILLED WITH HER WISDOM... (1:23)

Turn at her rebuke - respond to her warning, and repent

She will pour out her spirit on them, she will make known her words to them

-- Wisdom stands ready to forgive and bless those who open their hearts and minds, much like God is for those who repent and turn - cf. Ac 3:19

[The grace of God is clearly seen in Sophia's plea for all to heed her call for wisdom. Those caught up in varying degrees of hardness of heart are given opportunities to repent. But such opportunities do not last forever. Thus we now read of...]

SOPHIA'S WARNING

DIRECTED TO THOSE WHO REFUSED TO HEAR... (1:24-25)

Who refused her call, disregarded her outstretched hand

Who disdained her counsel, refused her rebuke

Just like Israel rejected her prophets - cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15–16 “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.”

-- Will we be like those who refuse to heed the Lord's wisdom and warnings?

THERE WILL BE NO HELP WHEN CALAMITY COMES... (Pro 1:26-30)

She will laugh and mock when terror and destruction comes like a storm

Despite their cries for help, it will be too late

Because they hated knowledge when they had the opportunity

They did not choose the fear of the Lord (the beginning of wisdom)

They had rejected her counsel and despised her rebuke

-- Heed wisdom is when it is being offered, not when it is too late! - cf.  Isaiah 55:6–7 “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

THEY WILL SUFFER THE FATE OF THEIR FOLLY... (Pro 1:31)

They will eat the fruit of their own way

They will be full of their own fancies (foolish counsel)

-- Contrast of the righteous in times of trial to that of the wicked - Pr 3:25-26; 10:24-25

[Too many people wait until it is too late to do any good. To benefit from the value of wisdom, we need to learn from her while we still have time. Finally, let's consider...]

SOPHIA'S SUMMARY

DESTRUCTION COMES UPON THE SIMPLE AND FOOLS... (1:32)

Because they turn away from the true wisdom God has to offer

Because they allowed their complacency (regarding wisdom) to destroy them

-- Will we be naive and foolish when it comes to receiving God's wisdom?

SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE FOR THOSE WILLING TO HEAR... (1:33)

Who are willing to listen to wisdom - cf. Pr 8:32-35

Whose fear of the Lord will enable them to fear no evil - cf. Pr 3:21-26

-- Are we willing to listen and heed the wisdom God offers?

CONCLUSION

From lady "Sophia", we learn that wisdom is a lot like the grace of God... 

Opportunity to obtain it does not last forever

The time will come when it is too late

Today is the day to learn wisdom from God...

Just like today is the day of salvation - cf. 2 Corinthians 6:1–2 “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Who will we be like: those who are simple and fools? Or those willing to hear God's wisdom?

How we respond to "Sophia" reveals our true character and ultimate end...

"How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." - Pr 1:22-23