Proverbs Ch1:20-28

I tend to write to think and learn as I’m not intelligent enough to just read and absorb information. But doing this over the last week or so is giving me a deeper look at the Proverbs. Today I read a great book to my son on Wisdom – called ‘A Mouse in Solomon’s House’ and studying this is giving me fresh perspective to explain things in a kiddie type of way.

Tonight’s thoughts:

20 Wisdom cries aloud in the street; in the markets she raises her voice; 21 on the top of the walls she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks". -RSV

Wisdom sticks out like (excuse the expression) ‘dogs balls’. Like Henri Matisse’s Flowers for the picking – opportunity is everywhere – ‘for those who bother to look’. It is as abundant as dirt – we are without excuse.

22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23 Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.

Fools don’t bother to look for wisdom. They are too happy in their ignorance. (We all are to varying degree’s). Consequently, because they don’t learn –they don’t grow…the following verses outline the consequences of choosing to remain ignorant.

24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 and 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 panic strikes you, 27 when panic 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.

Interestingly, it is as if Wisdom itself is speaking now. It does not appear as an aloof impersonal force – or a series of principles, laws or truths (I wonder why?).

Its appears to be showing a side – that says “don’t mess with me – or I’ll mess with you”. It mocks you if you don’t run with it. Mocking is a resisting force, something that tries to bring you down if you go against its principles. By definition 'mocking' is all about shattering your dreams. With Wisdom - there is no middle ground, and in the same tough and divisive language of both George W. Bush and Jesus:

“You’re either with me, or you’re against me…”

In other words “If you jump from a sky scraper – you will hit the ground hard and fast”, “if you eat nothing but crap – you’re gonna get fat”, “if you don’t save for your retirement – your gonna end-up broke”, “if you mess around on your spouse – your gonna destroy your marriage”.

It seems to be saying – “if you ignore me, I’ll chew you up and spit you out…don’t come crying to me – because you had your chance…there is no mercy here”…and most profoundly - ”Grace is not my job”.

I think Wisdom is showing us the ‘natural side’ to its character. Ruthless, hard nosed principles, laws and truths – that even Christians living under grace are subject to. "There's nothing personal here its just Business".

In fact in many ways this is a side of wisdom that is ‘ungraceful’. Here, favour is found only by merit.

I’m sure that Wisdom also has a ‘higher nature’ – one of applied Grace. (Yancey says that Grace is unnatural – so conversely I’m thinking Ungrace is perfectly natural). But in this ‘natural world’ and early on in the book of Proverbs we are taught the basics…

Truly Wisdom is fear of God and his perfect and natural laws.