Proverbs 1:24-27 meaning
Lady Wisdom begins this section with a lament: "Because I called and you refused." The because that begins this verse is not, as is often the case, linking directly with the preceding verse (23) as a cause-and-effect. Instead, it is setting up an if/then statement that culminates in verse 26. So, the word Because is preceding the cause-and-effect rather than standing in the middle of it. Because you refused and no one paid attention, etc., I will laugh at your calamity and mock your dread. Our refusal to listen is the cause, and wisdom's response to turn us over to the resulting destruction is the effect.
This might seem like a harsh and unkind reply on the part of Lady Wisdom. But reproof and instruction require factual reality. The goal is not for the student to feel good about themselves. The goal is for the student to abandon folly and the resulting disastrous consequences. The student should embrace wisdom instead.
The point here is to acknowledge reality—to describe to the youth how the world actually works. I called and you refused. The fault is on those who do not accept the offer. I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention. When someone does not value wisdom, it is a choice they are actively making—choosing to focus in another direction they see as more lucrative. You neglected my counsel. People often choose to trust in other entities than wisdom. And, finally, you did not want my reproof. Truth is an acquired taste and some of the lessons of reality are hard and uncomfortable.
Anyone who chooses to be a fool and walk in folly will have the consequences of folly. In a great irony, Lady Wisdom will mock the folly of the scoffer. I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes. This harshness is the consequence of our poor choices. Notice the importance of the word "also" in the phrase I will also laugh at your calamity. It is a consequence: the result of mocking wisdom is to be mocked by wisdom. This is the way things are. It is like saying, "If you turn away from me you won't see me any longer and I won't see you." It is kinder to be clear about this upfront, and perhaps offend, than to sugarcoat the true effects of turning from wisdom. The goal here is not to coddle the youth but to help them understand what is at stake. They have a choice, and the choice has immense consequence.
This is meant to be a stark warning. Wisdom is calling (and has called). And, as Lady Wisdom says, you refused. She stretched out her hand. Wisdom is doing its part; it is taking action to invite. We have agency to accept or decline the invitation. And when no one paid attention to wisdom's attempts, neglecting counsel and not wanting her reproof, those declining have used their agency to set themselves against wisdom. As verse 3 told us, wisdom requires receiving instruction. In this case, instruction and reproof has been declined.
This is a bad idea. A very bad idea. Ignoring wisdom will not work out well for any of us. It will result in dread and calamity. These consequences come fast and hard, wreaking havoc on our lives: when your dread comes like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind. Wisdom takes a derisive posture to these consequences. When we ignore the reproof of wisdom, dread comes like a storm and calamity like a whirlwind. The negative consequences of following the folly of foolishness rushes upon us and stirs up confusion, lifting us from reality and clouding us from the truth. Following foolishness results in calamity, distress, and anguish.
Distress and anguish come upon us when we ignore wisdom. The warning is stern on two fronts: first, the circumstantial disaster that eventually follows foolishness— calamity, dread, distress, anguish—and the distance to wisdom. Perhaps more devastating to us than the direct consequence of our foolish choices is that it sets us in opposition to wisdom.
The message here is clear: DO NOT IGNORE WISDOM! Wisdom is shouting from the streets, calling and stretching out its hand. It is reaching for you. Ignoring it and shunning its advances is not good for you, to say the least.
This is the reality of what is at stake. The very essence of life. By partnering with wisdom, we have a chance at a fulfilling life, even in the midst of the mystery and uncertainty of circumstances ("hebel" see Ecclesiastes 1:2). If we ignore wisdom and turn the other way, that uncertainty will drive us into calamity and dread, the consequence of folly.
Proverbs 1:28-33 meaning
Youth often adopt this perspective: I will "have fun" while I am young (YOLO!) and then get serious about life later on. In essence, "I will ignore wisdom for now but turn to it later in life when my wild oats are sowed." The practical reality of this is that we live in foolishness until we tire of our calamity, our distress, and our dread (see notes on Proverbs 1:24-27).
But we often discover it is not so easy to just flip a switch from foolishness to wisdom. When we establish patterns in our lives, it is difficult to recast our perceptions, attitudes, actions (and perhaps addictions).
Solomon continues his introduction to Proverbs through the voice of Lady Wisdom. She says that when fools have experienced the distress and anguish of calamity (v. 27) as the consequences of their folly, they will then call on me, but I will not answer. That is, when the circumstances are no longer tolerable, and the fools want to escape their anguish, they will reach out in circumstantial desperation.
Wisdom seems to take another hard line. Even though the fools call, she will not answer. Even though they seek diligently, they will not find her. Proverbs is focused on clearly delineating the realities of the wise and the foolish, and what sets them apart from one another. The goal is to clearly set forth the reality of cause-and-effect in the world. The student can embrace it or ignore it, to their own benefit or peril.
Furthermore, this is Solomon's introduction to the book and his agenda. He seeks to impress upon the youth the vital importance of accepting wisdom in one's youth—as opposed to a sowing-wild-oats path.
Why does wisdom reject these pleas from the fools who have experienced dread? It is because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. The fools cannot turn to wisdom in order to avoid negative consequences.. They made their choices and must experience the consequence of their actions. They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. What was chosen as a heart posture cannot be redeemed through a superficial response to circumstances.
Why is this the case? A clue can be found in the statement: So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way. This would indicate that the reason the scoffer has turned to wisdom is to escape the negative consequences of their foolishness. But that's not the way it works. Actions have consequences. And the scoffer who spurned the reproof offered by Wisdom will reap what they have sown; they will eat the fruit of the vine they planted.
Our choices have consequences. The fools hated knowledge, did not choose to fear the Lord, would not accept Wisdom's counsel, and spurned reproof.
Because of these foolish decisions, the scoffers will eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices. The word for satiated is the Hebrew "saba," which can also mean "full" or "satisfied." We cannot avoid the consequences of our actions; we must reap what we sow. Part of the negative consequence of foolishness is to be self-absorbed; it is the natural consequence of choosing to put one's trust in oneself rather than in God.
There is no answer from Wisdom that is appropriate to give to a self-absorbed person asking for deliverance from adverse consequences they continue to bring upon themselves. Wisdom gave the answer from the outset "Stop being foolish."
The foolish cannot escape the consequences of their foolishness. Waywardness and complacency of the naïve will kill and destroy them. They waited until it was too late to avoid disaster. Solomon makes clear it is in the student's best interest to choose wisdom and the fear of the Lord early in life. To establish the practices of wisdom and pursue a character centered on wisdom. It is the way to avoid really severe adversity. This is what the youth needs to understand they are choosing if they choose folly.
If the youth denies reality, they will find themselves on the path of destruction. We always have a choice, but the consequences of those choices cannot be avoided. Further, it takes an active choice of deliberate intent to seek and gain the benefit of wisdom. The way of fools is the way of complacency. This indicates that without actively seeking to grow in wisdom, complacency leads to foolishness and folly. And this is a path that will destroy them.
On the other hand, he who listens to Wisdom shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil. Perhaps difficulties will come. But they will not be self-induced. And the wise will be equipped to deal with them. Solomon here is setting the stakes. The student may or may not experience challenging circumstances, but will be at ease from the dread of evil. Evil is the source of these terrible adverse consequences. And evil can be avoided by choosing wisdom.
This sets the stage for the rest of The Book of Proverbs. What follows is not about how to manipulate life so that we get the most comfortable experience and the most preferred circumstances. It is to listen to the reproof and instruction of Wisdom, and thereby gain understanding for how to live constructively, within whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Acquiring wisdom leads to good character. Wisdom teaches us how to choose a true perspective, that sees reality as it is, and transcends circumstances.
This ends the opening speech of Lady Wisdom. She has given us this warning and this invitation at the very beginning. This is the reality of the stakes at hand. What we choose to do in response will determine our path and the quality of life we lead.
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