As I continue down this road in Proverbs, we are finishing up Chapter 1 with a personification of wisdom of someone shouting in the street. This is used to help wisdom come alive for us.
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. – Proverbs 1:20,21
We know that wisdom is not a living being, but it is the mind of God revealed to us. We can see Wisdom in action by reading about Jesus’ ministry here on earth. And if we want to learn how to become wise we need listen to the “calling” of Wisdom and learn it’s instruction that is laid out in the book of Proverbs (and in the whole Bible) for us.
“You simpletons!” she cries, “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.” – Proverbs 1:22,23
Here we have the term simpleton. Here the term simpleton is not someone with a mental deficiency, but someone with a character deficiency. This could be rebellion, laziness or perhaps anger). The simpleton is not stupid, but they are unable to tell right from wrong or good from bad.
God calls to us so often, so many times to come follow Him. But we often pay no attention to his call and decide our own way. When we persist in going it alone, we create problems for ourselves that will eventually destroy us.
The rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For they are simpletons who turn away from me — to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. -Proverbs 1:30-32
But the alternative, for those that follow the instruction of God, who follow the path of Jesus, who read their Bible and learn the Wisdom that God has placed in those pages, the alternative for them is far better.
But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm. -Proverbs 1:33
That path sounds much better to me….
A Trip Through Proverbs – Catch up on the rest of the series.
Exceptional Christian 