Proverbs 17:16
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Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
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Fools pretend to want wisdom! They attend church, carry a Bible, drop a few bucks in the offering, ask questions, compliment the preacher, and buy a religious book now and then. But they have no heart for real learning, for correction and instruction. They are totally content in their little fantasy world - trusting their own imaginations and doing their own things. Reader! Can you prove you are any different? Do you have a heart for wisdom?
Knowledge and truth are not rights. God owes them to no man, and He only gives them to some. He will not give them to fools! In fact, He will take from them the little knowledge they think they have (Luke 8:18; 19:24). The visible creation proves God's existence; but when men reject it, He turns them over to insanity (Rom 1:18-32). He may even send lying spirits to deceive them for their arrogant ignorance (I Kings 22:15-23).
Fools desire to tell their own opinions (18:2). They have no pleasure in learning; they want to teach. They want to prove that reasoning in a circle from nothing leads to something - their own preconceived thoughts! The greatest collection ever of such fools occurred in Athens, with the development of Greek philosophy, where Paul tried to warn them against their superstitious babblings (Acts 17:16-31; I Cor 1:19-24; I Tim 6:20).
Of course, fools make a show of wanting knowledge, truth, and wisdom. They bring, as it were, a payment for them. But the holy God, Who sees the deepest motives and thoughts of the human heart, cuts them off completely. Though they may attend public preaching or teaching, He knows their intentions are false; so He may even deceive their teacher to lead them into greater error (Eze 14:6-11; 33:30-32; Matt 13:10-16). Give God the glory!
Wisdom is only for those who sell-out for it, buy it at any price, and will not sell it (2:1-5; 4:7; 18:1; 23:23; Matt 13:44-46). Fools and scorners, called dogs and swine by Jesus, are to be cut off from knowledge and truth (14:6-7; 26:4,12; Matt 7:6). Ministers are to avoid and reject them and their questions (I Tim 1:4; 4:7; 6:4-5; II Tim 2:14,16,23; Titus 3:9).
Paul prayed to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men without faith (II Thess 3:1-2), and he praised the noble Bereans for their zeal for the truth (Acts 17:11). He warned men not to despise prophesyings, for they should love preaching (I Thess 5:20). The Jews before Ezra are the best example of coming with a sincere heart (Neh 8:1-18).
We are in the perilous times of the last days (II Tim 3:1 - 4:5). Men have a form of godliness, but there is no authority in it. They attend assemblies and listen to teachers, but they will not endure sound doctrine (II Tim 4:3-4). They are ever learning, but they never find truth (II Tim 3:6-7). They may pay a small price, but their heart is not in it.
Reader, how eager are you for wisdom and truth? And I mean God's wisdom and God's truth! - Not speculation about political conspiracies, the monetary theories of the Austrian school of economics, and alternative medical treatments. Do you crave knowing more about Christ Jesus the Lord? If yes, what sincere efforts will you make for it today?
Can you endure sound doctrine easily, because you crave the fear of the LORD and the knowledge of God? Have you responded to Lady Wisdom's invitation and met her requirements (8:34)? Many more claim to seek the truth than actually seek it! And you need to learn this distinction. Which one are you? Which one will you be this very day?
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