Proverbs 1:1-7 (ESV)

[1] The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

[2] To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

[3] to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice, and equity;

[4] to give prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the youth—

[5] Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

and the one who understands obtain guidance,

[6] to understand a proverb and a saying,

 the words of the wise and their riddles.

[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

fools despise wisdom and instruction.

I pray often for wisdom and discernment. I think that is an appropriate prayer, yet there is a sense in which God has already provided wisdom. It is not something to we seek after and pray for. It is something we reach out and take. Wisdom is found in the Scriptures, particularly the Proverbs. This collection of sayings was compiled, “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight” (Prov 1:2). Wisdom is found in the Scriptures. Wisdom is found in fearing God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov 1:7). Wisdom is found in the world around us. “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:” (Prov 1:20-21) Apparently, we lack wisdom primarily because we fail to actually look for it or receive it.

There are at least two consequences to not receiving God’s wisdom. First, there is loss and destruction. The foolish person pursues their own personal peace and affluence at the expense of others. In Proverbs 1:17-18 Solomon warns,

[17] For in vain is a net spread

in the sight of any bird,

[18] but these men lie in wait for their own blood;

they set an ambush for their own lives.

[19] Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain;

 it takes away the life of its possessors.

The irony of these verses is thick. Like a hunter, they set traps for their prey. What they fail to realize is that they are their own prey. The pursuit of personal peace and affluence at the expense of others leads to one’s own eventual demise.

That brings us to the second consequence. Solomon warns that there is a point where God says, “Enough is enough!” He warns, in Proverbs 1:28-31,

[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.

Because we refuse to listen to God when his wisdom is offered, there comes a time when God lets us go down the road we’ve chosen to follow. “They will call upon me, but I will not answer” (Prov 1:28). Presuming upon the gracious nature of God is dangerous business. God is not only gracious, he is also just. Refusing his wisdom today may means that it may not available to us later.

Given the consequences of rejecting God’s wisdom, the warning at the end of Proverbs 1 is particularly appropriate. “For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster” (Prov 1:32-33). I can listen to the wisdom of God, or I can pursue my own personal pleasure. Today is a good day to start listening.