LISTENING TO WISDOM



LISTENING TO WISDOM

Proverbs 1:20-33

INTRODUCTION: The Bible teaches that we need to fear the Lord, “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29) We are living in a day when men have no fear of God. In the days of Noah, men did not fear God. They all perished in the flood. Fearing God is a good thing. The people of Nineveh feared the judgment of God, repented and was spared. The wise person will turn from his sin and trust the Lord. He will delight in the Word of God and give heed to its instructions. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) The foolish person lacks wisdom and will continue on in his sin and is punished. “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way, and he that hateth reproof shall die.” (Pr. 15:10) “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom.” (Pr. 15:33) Today we will look at the fear of God that brings wisdom. We began by seeing wisdom as personified as a woman. Notice first her reproof.

I. REPROOF OF WISDOM

A. PLACE OF THE REPROOF. (v. 20-21)

The voice of Wisdom is heard in the streets, chief places, at the city gates, and in the city. In other words, wisdom is trying to get the attention of those who are headed for destruction.

B. PEOPLE OF THE REPROOF. (v. 22)

Wisdom cries out to the simple ones, the scorners, and the foolish. She calls out “How long you be stupid?” In Daniel 12:4, God reveals in the last days people shall be running to and fro, “and knowledge shall be increased.” Education is the pursuit of knowledge. A person can be very intelligent but lack wisdom. Many people have their college degrees but foolishly live their lives without the fear of God or the knowledge of God. Solomon wrote of three types of people. The “simple” ones are people who are naïve, easily led astray. The “scorners” are those who delight in their scorning. they are cynical and defiant, prone to ridicule others. “Fools” hate knowledge. They are moral rebels who are hardened to the point of hating that which is good. The fool is not lacking in intelligence but is unwilling to hear and receive the truth. In Matthew 7 Jesus said that everyone who hears His sayings and does not do them “shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand.” We know the story. The storm came and the house of the foolish man fail. People who are not building their lives upon God’s unchanging truth will suffer the lost of their eternal souls.

C. PURPOSE OF THE REPROOF. (v. 23)

The purpose of God’s reproof is to get people to turn to Him and from their wicked ways. God’s wisdom brings His charges against a rebellious and sinful people. The man who receives reproof will fear God and turn from his evil ways. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride, and arrogance, and the evil way.” (Pr. 8:13)

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. The ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."

II. REJECTION OF WISDOM

A. REASON FOR REJECTING WISDOM.

1. They despise God’s reproof. (v. 24-25)

The world is full of people who despise God’s reproof. “Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed, but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” (Pr. 13:13)

2. They hated knowledge. (v. 29)

Knowledge brings responsibility and accountability. The reason people do not read their Bible or come to preaching is because they hate the knowledge of God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Pr. 1:7) People who reject wisdom are called foolish in Scripture. “The Lord giveth wisdom; out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Pr. 2:6) God speaks through His Word. When we despise the Word of God we hate knowledge of God.

3. They have no fear of God. (v. 29)

The reason wisdom is rejected is clearly stated in verse 25 and 30. “They would have none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.” They “did not choose the fear of the LORD.” This is people today. Many in our churches listen to the Word being preached. Yet, they despised God’s rebuke of their sin. They turn a deaf ear to the Holy Spirit and choose to have no fear of God. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Pr. 12:15)

B. RESULT IN REJECTING WISDOM.

1. Their coming desolation. (v. 26-27)

Notice the description of their coming judgment: calamity, fear, desolation, destruction, distress and anguish.

2. Their prayers are rejected. (v. 28)

The people called upon the LORD but He would not answer. It is a dreadful thought that heaven would become brass to our prayers. In their desperation they cry out to God. People live as if there is no God until they need Him, then they begin to pray. “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” (Pr. 28:9) If you are not willing to hear and heed the council of God today, you can sin away your day of grace. God turned a deaf ear to the prayers of the Israelites because of their sin. Remember, the day of grace ran out during the days of Noah and Lot. You can sin away your day of grace. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb. 10:31)

3. Their coming destruction.” (v. 31-32)

“Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” We reap what we sow. I believe America is reaping from her past sins today. If you continue in your own way, you too will face destruction. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Gal. 6:7-8) “He that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (Pr. 29:1) The Bible says, “Fools make a mock of sin.”

III. REWARD WISDOM (v. 33)

Someone has said, “Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.”

A. PRICELESS IN VALUE.

The reward of wisdom is priceless in value. “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” (Pr. 8:11) “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! (Pr. 16:16) The person who has God’s wisdom is a person of great spiritual wealth.

B. PROVIDER OF LIFE.

“For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.” (Pr. 8:35) The person who is in Christ has eternal life and has obtained favor in the Lord. The fear of the Lord will lead a person of Christ. The wise person will give his life to Christ.

C. PROTECTS FROM EVIL.

“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil.” (Pr. 4:16) Wisdom directs a man’s steps to walk in the way of God. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct they paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Pr. 3:6-7)

LESSONS FOR LIFE:

1. It is a fatal mistake to believe you can reject God’s reproof without paying a terrible cost.

2. God’s rebuke and reproof is for our good. “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD, neither be weary of His correction.” (Pr. 3:11) God knows the pain and punishment sin causes.

3. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Jesus died so we can have forgiveness of sin. He lives so we can have eternal life. His grace and mercy is available today. The wise will call upon Him. Will you call upon Him to be your Lord and Savior today?

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