Proverbs for Life
Proverbs 1:20-33 is the first occasion in the book of Proverbs wherein we encounter the personification of Wisdom (the wisdom of God’s Holy Word) as a virtuous woman who calls for us to come unto her and learn her ways of righteousness. (Proverbs 8:6-8) This activity of personified Wisdom is also encountered in Proverbs 8:1-36 and in Proverbs 9:1-12. Through these passages we find a progression to the call of personified Wisdom. Proverbs 1:20-33 presents the first and foundational call of personified Wisdom – the call to repentance of our selfishly, sinfully foolish ways.
Proverbs 1:20-33 is the first occasion in the book of Proverbs wherein we encounter the personification of Wisdom (the wisdom of God’s Holy Word) as a virtuous woman who calls for us to come unto her and learn her ways of righteousness. (Proverbs 8:6-8) This activity of personified Wisdom is also encountered in Proverbs 8:1-36 and in Proverbs 9:1-12. Through these passages we find a progression to the call of personified Wisdom. Proverbs 1:20-33 presents the first and foundational call of personified Wisdom – the call to repentance of our selfishly, sinfully foolish ways.
I. The Wisdom of God’s Word Presents a Common Call (unto repentance).
Proverbs 1:20-21 – “Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: she crieth in the chief place
of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying . . .”
II. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Confrontational (of our selfishly foolish character).
Proverbs 1:22 – “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their
scorning, and fools hate knowledge?”
III. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Corrective (of our selfishly foolish character).
Proverbs 1:23a – “Turn you at my reproof.”
IV. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Constructive (for those who choose repentance).
Proverbs 1:23b – “Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”
V. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Contemptuous (toward those who refuse repentance).
Proverbs 1:24-27 – “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man
regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your
calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction
cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.”
VI. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Not Compromising (toward those who refuse repentance).
Proverbs 1:28-30 – “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they
shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: they would
none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”
VII. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Condemning (toward those who refuse repentance).
Proverbs 1:31-32 – “Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own
devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.”
VIII. The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Comforting (for those who choose repentance).
Proverbs 1:33 – “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”
Posted in Proverbs for Life, Word of God, Repentance of Sin, Spiritual Growth, Rebellion against God,
Judgment of Our Lord, Blessing of the Lord
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