Embracing Wisdom’s Call
Proverbs 1:20–33
River Community Church
One of my favorite lines in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy occurs at the council of Elrond when Elrond, the great wise Elf, summons various peoples of Middle Earth to a secret council to determine what to do with the Ring of Power.
Out of all the great and mighty peoples in Middle Earth, the task of destroying the Ring falls to the most unlikely of creatures—a hobbit––creatures who live in holes in the ground. Here’s what Elrond says:
“This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great.”–– J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
There is a wisdom that looks like foolishness to the world. This same theme is picked up by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1. “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the wisdom and power of God.” (1 Cor 1:18).
In a twist of divine wisdom and divine irony, God made what looked like foolishness to the world–– Christ crucified–– a display of the wisdom and power of God. God uses “foolishness” to shake the towers and councils of the great.
This is the same unexpected wisdom we find in Proverbs 1, which will be our passage this morning. Wisdom is not found in ivory towers of the scholars but is found crying out in the busy streets and marketplaces. Wisdom calls out to the foolish, the scoffers. The question for us to consider: will we listen to Wisdom’s call?
If you’re following along in our Bible reading plan, this week we will read most of the book of Proverbs.
Before we jump into our text, I want to provide some big picture things to keep in mind as you approach Proverbs in your reading this week.
How Not to Read Proverbs
Sometimes it’s helpful to define what something is by first defining what it is not.
Here’s what the book of Proverbs is not:
- Proverbs is not a collection of “life hacks” which are simple tricks and tips to make your life easier or more efficient.
- Proverbs is not like a compilation album of moralistic advice or “folk wisdom.” Proverbs is not Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life.
- Proverbs is not a book of promises. If you do x, then y will follow.
- For example, Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” That is not a promise of guaranteed outcomes.
- It’s better to understand the proverbs as making general statements about how things work in God’s world.
- Lastly, I think sometimes too much weight is given to the genre or category of “Wisdom Literature.” Proverbs is a distinct literary genre; there is more formal poetry in Proverbs than in Psalms.
- Overemphasizing the distinctness of the literary genre can result in viewing Proverbs as disconnected from the rest of the Bible.
- This may contribute to moralistic readings or pragmatism because we fail to understand how the book fits in the larger biblical storyline.
- In other words, we read Proverbs as disconnected from the Bible’s storyline, which is designed to point forward and find fulfillment in Christ.
If that’s what Proverbs is not? How should we understand the book? How should we seek to see Christ in Proverbs?
Seeing Christ in Proverbs
Proverbs is a book about wisdom. Wisdom in the Bible should be understood as finding its fulfillment in the person of Christ.
1 Cor 1:24 says that Jesus is the power and wisdom of God.
Col 2:3 says that in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Just as truth is personal (Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life—John 14:6), so also wisdom is personal.
Jesus is the wisdom and power of God who empowers us to walk in the way of wisdom.
If you want to be wise, you must be united to Christ––the source of wisdom and the one who empowers you to walk in his wisdom.
Christians can all basically agree that Jesus is the wisdom of God. The difficulty is: how do you arrive at that conclusion from Proverbs? How do you get there?
There are two major viewpoints, both of which I think are valid and persuasive.[1]
The first view says that “Jesus is Wisdom” in the book of Proverbs. There might be various nuances to this, but generally, when you Wisdom appears in the book, it’s speaking of Christ or developing a pattern that will find fulfillment in Christ.
The second way says that Jesus is the “son” in Proverbs. Jesus is the wise son who becomes the wise king.
Jesus takes up the scroll of Isaiah and reads “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.” (Luke 4:18 quoting Isa 11:5).
Jesus is the one who “increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).
Jesus is the wise king, greater than Solomon. “Something greater than Solomon is here” (Matt 12:42).
Those are two main approaches to making connections to Christ (Christ is Wisdom; Christ is the wise son/king).
Exposition
With those big picture things in mind, let’s turn to our passage: Proverbs 1:20–33. This chapter calls us to embrace the way of wisdom.
Here’s the main point of my sermon in a sentence: Those who embrace God’s wisdom will not face the storm of final judgement but will dwell secure in Christ.
20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
21 at 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?
23 If you turn at my reproof,[a]
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
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.
32 For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Let’s divide this passage into three sections:
- Wisdom’s Call (vv. 20–23)
- Wisdom’s Warning (vv. 24–32)
- Wisdom’s Blessing (v. 33)
Wisdom’s Call
Throughout the book of Proverbs, sometimes Wisdom is personified as Lady Wisdom set in contrast to the woman Foolishness. We might ask, why are wisdom/foolishness personified as women? This is a poetic literary device. The word for wisdom in Hebrew is a feminine word, and it’s a way of personifying this virtue.
Our passage is the first of three great speeches of Wisdom; the other two speeches of Wisdom are found in 8:1–36 and 9:1–6.
What’s the main point in verses 20–23? Wisdom calls the simple to repentance.
Let’s unpack that point by asking three questions: Where is Wisdom? To whom does Wisdom call? What is Wisdom’s message?
First, where is Wisdom? What do you notice from the text (vv. 20–21)? Wisdom cries out (from where?) in a noisy marketplace!
This is counterintuitive from the ways that we typically think of wisdom. We think of wisdom as being found in a quiet library or bookstore. We think of wisdom as being found in the ivory towers, something reserved for the elite; the learned among us; the scholars.
That’s not what we find in this text. Wisdom is found crying aloud in a noisy marketplace. The image of Wisdom in view is not Eighth Day Books but rather something like a Central Asian market. I’ve been to many Central Asian markets before––the grand Bazaar—so many smells and stimuli. Amid all that noise and busyness Wisdom calls.
To bring it home, amid all the bustle in Koch’s cafeteria or in your work centers, or on WSU’s campus: Wisdom cries out!
Wisdom is not a matter of intelligence or education. Wisdom is common to all people. It’s available to everyone. God’s wisdom is public. God’s wisdom is not merely for the elite, the powerful or “enlightened” ones. God’s wisdom is public.
Second question: To whom does wisdom call?
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
Wisdom addresses “the simple” (vs 22). The simple does not mean simple-minded or unintelligent. The “simple” refers to the one who has not learned the way of wisdom.
The simple are the unrepentant. The simple are sinful people. The simple are those who love the way of foolishness. The simple “love being simple” (vs 22).
Here’s how Jesus describes “the simple” in John 3:19: “19And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.”
The simple love the darkness because they are in love with the things of this world. They scoff and take delight in their scoffing.
The word “scoffers” means “mockers.”
When we think of scoffer, what do we have in mind? Certainly, we might think of prominent atheists (Richard Dawkins among others) who very publicly scoff, mock, and ridicule the faith. That’s certainly one way to think about scoffers. But scoffing is not limited to explicit intellectual mockery of the Christian faith. Scoffing can be a way of life.
We see this with people who live simply to maximize their personal pleasure. They love being scoffers simply because they are in love with the world.
Here’s a question for you to consider. Are you “the simple one” Wisdom addresses? Maybe your response to that question would be “no” because you are not publicly mocking Christianity; but are you in love with the world? Are you enamored with living for your own personal pleasure, material possessions, personal adventures, sexual fulfillment?
Wisdom calls the simple and says, “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?” How long will you continue to live for yourself?
The third question: What is Wisdom’s message?
Wisdom calls sinners to repentance. It is a call addressed to the simple ones to turn away from being simple and to embrace wisdom.
23 If you turn at my reproof,[a]
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
I will make my words known to you.
This is a call to repentance and faith. The word “turn” here means to abandon or turn back. It’s an invitation to forsake the world and the simple way of foolishness. It’s an invitation to turn and embrace wisdom.
Wisdom here rebukes/corrects the simple. “If you turn at my reproof.” Importantly, this reproof is correction that leads to life.
If you abandon the way of being simple, what are you promised? Wisdom says, “I will pour out my spirit to you. I will make my words known to you.”
Earlier in chapter 1, we are told in vs 7 that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
What this means is that the path of wisdom begins from a posture of repentance. If you want to get on the path of wisdom, it begins with a posture of humility before the Lord. This is the beginning of knowledge.
Once you turn from your simple ways to trust in God’s wisdom, you are filled with the Spirit of wisdom so that you may know the Lord.
Wisdom calls us to repentance and faith.
Where else in Scripture do we hear a similar call?
It sounds like Jesus, doesn’t it?
Jesus begins his ministry, walking the streets of Galilee:
Matt 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Who did Jesus choose for his disciples? Fisherman (Matt 4:18).
They were “uneducated, common men” (Acts 4:13).
This fits well with Wisdom’s call in the noisy streets. God’s wisdom is public—available to common blue-collar people. Jesus calls the simple ones/sinners to repentance. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Vs 23 again, “If you turn at my reproof, behold I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”
I think this verse is pointing to the need for a new heart. Embracing wisdom begins with repentance. The one who turns from being simple will receive the Spirit of wisdom.
Jesus himself said if you want to enter the kingdom you must be born again (John 3). The Spirit must give you a new heart. Jesus inaugurates a new covenant in which he pours out his Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:28) so that all who belong to the new covenant know the Lord (Jer 31:33–35). His law will be written on their hearts.
Hear Wisdom’s call to you this morning. Are you the simple one? Are you in love with the world? Or do you sense your heart being led astray by the cares of this world? How long will you love being simple?
Wisdom calls the simple to repentance.
Wisdom’s Warning
We’ve considered Wisdom’s call, now let’s consider Wisdom’s warning. In vv. 24–32, we hear Wisdom’s warning for those who do not listen. How should we summarize Wisdom’s warning? Don’t shipwreck your life!
24 Because I have called and you refused to listen,
have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
25 because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when terror strikes you,
27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
This is strong language. We might even think it sounds cruel. Wisdom will laugh and mock the fool in the day of her calamity.
What are we to make of this language? The Bible elsewhere does speak of God laughing at or mocking the wicked.
- Psalm 2:4 “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”
- Psalm 37:13 “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.”
- Psalm 59:8 “But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision.”
This does not mean God is malicious. I think that this language of God’s laughter at the wicked is associated with God’s judgement.
It highlights an ironic reversal that is coming for the wicked on the day of judgement. The wicked can enjoy their short-term apparent victories, but the Lord gets the last laugh. He is going to reveal his judgement.
The wicked can try to live as if God doesn’t exist (Ps 14:1) or they can try to thwart God’s purposes, but God laughs because he knows that those attempts are futile. He knows the ironic reversal that is coming for the fool. No one can stop God’s plans and purposes.
This is why I think the language of God’s laughter at the wicked is associated with his judgement and the irony that will befall those who reject God.
The day of judgement reveals what is at the foundation. The fool will be exposed.
A sobering question for us: When the storm comes, when the day of terror strikes, when calamity falls, what will be exposed in your life?
What is at the foundation? Did you hear and embrace Wisdom or did you simply love being simple?
This also sound like Jesus, doesn’t it?
Matthew 7:24–27 marks the end of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. He contrasts the fool who builds his house on the sand with the wise man who builds his house on the rock.
24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
In the day of calamity, when the storm comes, what foundation will be exposed? Will it be revealed that you are a hearer and doer of God’s word? Or will it be revealed that you loved being simple… you heard but your heart did not obey.
Here’s the good news. Jesus gives you a new heart that can obey. To be a hearer and doer of God’s word requires a new heart. The Bible calls this being born again. God brings about a radical change in you (something that you cannot do yourself) so that your heart no longer loves the things of this world but instead loves the things of God.
If you’re a believer in Jesus, you are born again once. We call this your conversion. If you’re not a believer in Christ: repent and believe in Jesus. If you are a believer in Jesus, what’s the application? You don’t need to be born again again.
Here’s the application for the believer: the same way that you came to know the gospel is the same way that you grow in the gospel.
This is why we must repeatedly keep the gospel central. The gospel is what changed us and is the power that keeps changing us. The gospel is what empowers us to be hearers and doers of God’s word.
Left to my own strength, my heart is incapable of perfectly obeying all that God’s righteousness requires of me. But there is one—Jesus Christ, the wise king—who obeyed perfectly on our behalf. He lived a sinless life, bore our sins in his death on the cross, and triumphed over sin and death through his resurrection. Now, by grace, be clothes us in his righteousness and empowers us through his Spirit to be hearers and doers of the word. That is the gospel.
Wisdom’s Blessing
Wisdom’s warning to us is simply this: “Don’t shipwreck your life. Don’t be like the one who refuses to listen.”
Let’s look at vs 33 for Wisdom’s blessing. What can those who listen to Wisdom’s call expect?
33 but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
When the day of calamity comes, those who embrace God’s wisdom will dwell secure. God is our refuge, our security and confidence.
As we sing in Luther’s great hymn, “A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.”
Not only do we dwell secure, but we do so “without dread of disaster.” Without fear.
In the day of calamity and disaster, the one who embraces wisdom will dwell secure without any fear whether or not God is going to hold up. He is the strong and sure foundation. He is our rock and redeemer.
Doesn’t this sound like the psalmist in Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…”
The fool makes shipwreck of his life by refusing to listen to wisdom’s call. He gets to the end of his life, and he’s lived a wasted life. He had his fill and, in the end, that’s what destroys him.
It’s important to emphasize that the shipwreck is not merely concerned with this life only. The fool makes a shipwreck of his life and into eternity.
Friends, when this life ends, we will face the judgement of God: those who embrace Christ will receive the resurrection of life and those who reject him will receive the resurrection of judgement in hell forever (John 5:29).
Again, here’s the good news: If you are in Christ, you will not face the storm of final judgement. Because Jesus bore God’s righteous judgement for you in his death on the cross.
If you are united to Christ in faith, then you too will rise with him to everlasting life (Rom 6:5); you will dwell secure, at east, without dread of disaster.
This is wisdom’s call for us this morning.
Jesus is the wisdom and power of God. He calls us to turn from sin and to trust in him.
Those who embrace God’s wisdom will not face the storm of final judgement but will dwell secure in Christ, the rock of our salvation.
[1] For the first approach, see Jon Akin. For the second approach, see Gwilym Davies.