Personifying wisdom as a woman, Solomon begins the book of Proverbs by stating several important truths about wisdom. In yesterday’s post, the following facts were considered
Wisdom is needed by and available to all (Proverbs 1:20-22).
Wisdom is not always pleasant to one’s ears (Proverbs 1:23).
Wisdom is persuasive, not coercive (Proverbs 1:24-25).
Today, let’s consider the final verses of Proverbs’ first chapter.
Wisdom always gets the last laugh on those who disdain her. “I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” (1:26-32). Like God (Galatians 6:7), wisdom is not mocked. All the heartache that wisdom prevents and all the calamity that wisdom prepares one for comes undiluted and unimpeded into the life of a fool. Like all of nature, wisdom is governed by the law of reaping what is sown. The foolish rich man in Luke 16 reaped exactly what he sowed. When he finally wised up, it was too late.
Wisdom blesses those who pursue her. “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (1:33). What treasures wisdom has—peace of mind, genuine security, freedom from fear.
Are you heeding wisdom’s counsel or refusing it?
