God’s Word for Today 4 Sep, 2024 Prov 1:20-33 ESV WISDOM CRIES ALOUD Wisdom is personified as crying out for people to listen to him. Far from being an abstract principle, wisdom is presented as a dignified and well-respected woman who stands in the streets and market-places of the town and speaks openly and plainly to those who pass by. In short, she makes herself easily available to everyone. As Solomon writes; 20Wisdom 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: Wisdom pleads for the simple, scoffers and fools. [see v.22] The simple are those who are gullible and easily influenced. The scoffers or mockers are arrogant and self-conceited who trust their own ability and scorn the opinions of others. And lastly, the fools are those who have no interest in right thinking or right behavior. They are not people whose mental ability is below average, but normal intelligent people who are lazy or careless in their attitude toward things either worthwhile or not. A refusal to listen to wisdom is disastrous. The wisdom they reject will in return haunt and mock them in the end. 23 If you turn at my reproof, 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. They will realize but it will be too late. It pays to heed wisdom the soonest time possible. The time of regret is always last. As Solomon laments; 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. Solomon delineates the path and consequences of those who embrace wisdom and those who do not. To ignore God’s wisdom surely results to ruin. To seek it guarantees security [v.32-33] 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.” Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/lPuuvKVODmg Listen and FOLLOW us on our podcast Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible Follow us on various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio #gospellightfilipino #godswordfortoday #bookofProverbs