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More Proverbs

Proverbs 1:23

Today can be a turning point in your life. Lady Wisdom calls you to receive her free blessing of instruction. Honor, riches, peace, and life can be yours, if you will accept her reproving invitation and enjoy the feast she has prepared. See the comments on 9:1.

If you have already turned toward wisdom, there is higher ground to which she calls you. You do not have all the wisdom you need. You are not yet perfect. A wise man will hear and increase learning, and he will attain unto wise counsels (1:5). Press forward for more!

Lady Wisdom cries for fools to end their foolish and destructive ways of living (1:20-22)! How much more pain and trouble must you have, before you will rejoice at her offer? If you slight her invitation, she will cause your worst nightmares to come to pass (29:1). She will bring distress and anguish upon you. Instead of helping in your time of need, she will laugh at you (1:24-32)! Consider it soberly, dear reader; I tell you the truth.

Turning requires two things - you stop moving in one direction and you start moving in a new direction (Rom 12:1-2; I Thess 1:9). You end foolish habits and ways; you start forward in wise and righteous ways. You reject wrong training, traditions, and thoughts; you learn and obey truth and godliness. You cut and kill things in your life she does not approve; you add approved things to replace them. You reject sin; you choose holiness.

Change can be difficult, and it takes conviction; but the little trouble in choosing to change is nothing compared to the hell that is coming if you do not change. If former friends ridicule your new priorities, ignore and leave them. Let nothing hinder your turn.

Personified wisdom, our lady here, promises two things - she will personally give herself to you, and she will teach you an internal knowledge of her words and ways. If you accept her sincere invitation, she will respond with full affection to save and perfect you.

Yet beyond the figure of personification, we see the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is filled with all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3; I Cor 1:30). He will pour out His Spirit to those who turn to Him, and He will teach them true wisdom (Eph 1:17-18; 3:14-19; Col 1:9-11; I Cor 2:6-16; John 14:15-27; I John 2:20)!

But most men rush madly through life in ignorance, stubbornness, and rebellion; and they suffer the horrible consequences of dysfunctional and painful lives now, and an eternal hell to come. Why? Because they scorned the wisdom offered to them at various points in their lives, and God has blinded their eyes so He might destroy them (Rom 1:18-32).

What is a fool? They have a better idea; they protect their sins; they will not give up their habits; they keep foolish friends; they feed themselves the foolishness of the world; they dislike change. And the Lord of wisdom crushes them with frustrated souls, broken hearts, failed businesses, dysfunctional families, loveless marriages, bitter spirits, and hopeless lives. Fools laugh today at wisdom's offer; but wisdom will laugh tomorrow at the fool's painful calamity! Ah, Lord God, thou art very great, and man is so very stupid!

The choice and its consequences are so clear. How could any man or woman even hesitate? How is it with you, reader? Don't rush through these words without fearing your future, hearing the sincere offer, and turning your heart completely to the Lord Jesus Christ and heavenly wisdom. The reward is incredible; and so is the punishment!

This proverb addresses those who fear the Lord, spiritual men. Though the rules of wisdom could benefit all men, only the righteous can hear and heed wisdom's call. Only those turned by the Lord can truly turn from their folly and embrace wisdom. If you can consider it, the Lord has already turned your heart (Jer 31:18; Lam 5:21). Now turn!

Pursue wisdom. Buy it, and sell it not. Pray for it. Practice it. Reject foolish friends. Hate your sinful ways. Love truth. Despise the world and its ideas. Choose righteousness. Cut off habits. Seek first the kingdom of God. Put your flesh to death.

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you (Jas 4:8). Open the door, and the Lord Jesus will come in to fellowship with you (Rev 3:20). Walking with God in heavenly wisdom is a choice, and suffering the torments of a painful life is the opposite choice.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Is 1:18-20

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