Read Proverbs 1:20–33
Questions from the Scripture text: Who calls (Proverbs 1:21)? Where? In what manner? Whom does she ask what in Proverbs 1:22a? About what does she warn them (verse 22b–c)? What does she urge them to do (Proverbs 1:23a)? What two things does she promise to do (verse 23b–c)? What does she say that she has done, in contrast to what they have done (Proverbs 1:24-25)? What will she do on what occasion (Proverbs 1:26-27)? What will those who had rejected wisdom do at that point (Proverbs 1:28)? With what results? Why (Proverbs 1:29-30)? Without God answering, what will happen to them (Proverbs 1:31)? What will their turning away and complacency ultimately do to them (Proverbs 1:32)? Who will not be destroyed (Proverbs 1:33)?
How can we keep from being enticed in the way of the world? Proverbs 1:20–33 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek prayer meeting. In these fourteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that wisdom itself entices us, as an alternative to the self-destroying enticements of sin.
The good enticement, Proverbs 1:20-23. The fatherly warning against the enticement of sinners (cf. Proverbs 1:10) now gives way to wisdom’s own kind enticements (Proverbs 1:20-21). God’s wisdom is not only offered to us from our parents and in His assemblies, but even outside, in the square, in the main roads, in the gates of the city. Rather than continue with fools (Proverbs 1:22), we are to look to God’s wisdom to be our companion, help, and teacher (Proverbs 1:23).
The danger of not consenting, Proverbs 1:24-27. We were warned against consenting to sinners in Proverbs 1:10. Now we are warned against disregarding wisdom. It’s bad enough to be a fool, but it’s self-mocking to have had an opportunity for wisdom and still remained a self-destroying fool. When we hear wisdom, we are not merely to understand it and agree intellectually, but to receive it and live by it.
Too little, too late, Proverbs 1:28-31. We will not always have opportunity to receive wisdom. If we reject knowledge and counsel and rebuke (Proverbs 1:30); if we do not choose the fear of YHWH (Proverbs 1:29), there comes a point when we are unable to obtain or find wisdom (Proverbs 1:28). The devastating consequence of that is that we are left to ourselves to be “filled to the full with our own fancies.” O, dear reader, let us not act as if we will always be able to obtain wisdom later. We do not know when the opportunity will be withdrawn, and we be left sadly to ourselves.
Life summarized as one great choice, Proverbs 1:32-33. Either we follow what God’s wisdom says, or we don’t. There is no neutral ground, as complacency is lumped in with turning away in Proverbs 1:32. A non-response to God’s wisdom is the same as positively rejecting it. The only good option is to be the listener of Proverbs 1:33. We must take God’s wisdom not merely as good information but as a prescription for our life. Since He rules and overrules in all things, the recipe for dwelling safely and securely, without fear of harm, is to hear and heed the wisdom of God.
What opportunities do you have right now to obtain wisdom? What opportunities are you declining to take? What opportunities are you squandering? Of which are you taking the best advantage?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for appealing to us by Your own wisdom. Forgive us for when we have not readily received and incorporated Your wisdom into our lives. Thank You that You have given us Christ Himself as Your wisdom, both in His perfection being counted for us, and in His own mind being applied to us by His Spirit. Through Him, make us to dwell in safety and security without fear of evil, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP1 “How Blessed the Man” or TPH508 “Jesus, Priceless Treasure”
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