Wisdom Is Truth in Practice

Proverbs 1:20–33 ESV

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: 22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23 If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27 when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30 would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. 32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; 33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

“Wisdom has been chasing you, but you have always been a little faster.” John Kennedy

Maybe you have seen this guys quips on Fox News or the internet. The quote fits the beginning of the text for this evening.

What is the heartbeat of Wisdom? How can wisdom give life? vs. 20-23

2. Why would Solomon call wisdom a she when we can most certainly see wisdom as Christ here?

Wisdom in the Hebrew is a feminine noun, poetic devices use personification to gather the readers attention, and thirdly, a recognition of the young man being drawn in by an attractive female.

3. What is promised to the one who would heed wisdom? Why?

Let’s be mindful that wisdom is referring to turning from simplicity unto the Lord and moving away from the scoffers. (vs. 22) But secondly there is a reminder that we shall receive His spirit and His Word.

4. What record does wisdom hold? (vs. 24-25)

refusal to listen

failure to heed

ignored counsel

not heard the reproof

5. Where does the the humor/laughter come from in vs. 26-27?

Psalm 2:3–4 ESV

3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.

6. We see the judgment with laughter, but what else awaits those who would stand in rebellion against wisdom? vs. 28-32

Calling with silence

seeking with no finding

Destruction

Now let’s consider the converse of rebellion: surrender.

7. What is the the outcome of listening/heeding wisdom? vs. 33

security

ease

no disaster