PART 3 VERSES 20-33; Wisdom’s call
Context
The book of Proverbs is known for its practical life advice. It is mostly written by King Solomon, the wisest king to ever rule Israel. When God offered him anything, wisdom is what he asked for. And wisdom he was given. I’m so thankful he passed it down to the Israelites and we were able to get our hands on these ancient teachings as well.
These bible study posts are most often broken into parts based on breaks in the actual scriptures. Feel free to catch up (it won’t take long) by starting with the first two parts of this Proverbs 1 study.
READ WISDOM ON WISDOM; PROVERBS 1:1-7 STUDY
READ PROVERBS STUDY PART 2; 1:8-19
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The Call of Wisdom
1:20-33
20Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21at 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? 23If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
24Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, 27when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
29Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, 30would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, 31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
32For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; 33but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Copyright © 2001 by Crossway
Highlighting
The verses fit into topical categories. This really encourages us to analyze the scripture. Check out my post on studying the Bible on your own for what the different colors stand for and where I get that info. Verses can almost always fit into more than one category so if you start highlighting according to the Good Morning Girls categories know that your highlights don’t have to exactly match mine.
- Verse 20= wisdom
- Verse 21= wisdom/teaching
- Verse 22= teaching; evil
- Verse 23= instruction; blessing
- Verse 24= teaching; evil
- Verse 25= evil
- Verse 26= vow
- Verse 27= prophecy
- Verse 28= vow
- Verse 29= vow; God
- Verse 30= evil
- Verse 31= vow
- Verse 32= evil
- Verse 33= teaching; blessing; prophecy
OBSERVATIONS & APPLICATIONS
Can’t you just picture her?! The woman who looks a little “off”, worn out and tattered like the mother of nine children. Hair frazzled, some spots on her dress. Exasperated hands are turned upward in the air, begging for an answer to the important question. “How long are you going to act like that?!”
I feel I look like this sometimes. As a mom of four sometimes I’m completely baffled by the things my kids do. Then the perspective shifts. I know how Lady Wisdom feels.
First, let’s define wisdom for the modern day woman. A wise person has experience, knowledge, and good judgement. Wisdom definitely takes time, i.e. experience. In that time and through the experiences, we gain knowledge. The more knowledge we have the better we can judge a situation.
What’s the opposite of wisdom? Foolishness. A fool could be described as a reckless idiot who has no common sense. Ouch. I know which one I wanna be.
So how do we obtain wisdom? How do we apply this to our lives? Well we certainly can’t rush it. But there are things we can do to chase wisdom. After all, she is wooing us and calling out to teach us like a mother teaching her children for their benefit.
PROMISE FROM GOD
The Bible promises blessings should we make the decision to turn from foolishness and pursue wisdom.
Look at the blessings promised (by lady wisdom in the word of God, therefore blessings by God, right?). Wisdom poured out. Not a smidge. Poured!
Wisdom’s words will be made known to us. Sometimes I pray that God will send me a big red banner of instructions. You know, the kind flying in the sky behind the plane? That’s exactly what this promise is. Revelation! Wisdom revealed.
Lastly, dwell secure and be at ease? Yes please! Need I say more?
COMMAND TO KEEP
This may sound repetitive if you’ve read the first two parts of this Proverbs study. The command I see is to keep chasing experiences, gaining knowledge, learning from our failures, and listening to those older and wiser than us. Do you have a godly mentor? Do you dive into resources like books, podcasts, sermons? These are all resources to help us grow in wisdom.
TIMELESS PRINCIPLES
Every action has a consequence. You breathe, you live. You spend all your money frivolously and the bank takes your house. Even when we do not know the consequence, or result, of an action there will be one. Actions stem from our decisions.
When we look at the prophetic vows that wisdom makes in the last part of Proverbs 1, we see the serious consequences that foolishness brings. Those who refuse to learn from their experiences and continue being apathetic will pay the price in the end. Calamity, terror, distress, anguish, and disaster. That’s something not even a fool wants.
TAKEAWAY
Let us never stop chasing after lovely wisdom, soaking in all the teachings of the Lord. Let’s lean on Him, embracing His everlasting mercies and love.
Mmmmph!! Good stuff!
Still Pursuing,
To get to know me better, read about me & my saved love.
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