We all want wisdom. At least the majority of us do. In fact, I used to pray for it a lot and would do well to resume that practice. But how we get wisdom isn’t always an easy path. Nor one that many of us want to embrace.
“Fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Prov 1:7).
We all want wisdom but we don’t all want to be disciplined, esp by others. And that fools despise wisdom? Whew. Aren’t we seeing that these days. We want our ways and our political perspectives more than we want wisdom.
And then there’s the wisdom for young people (and in general for all people).
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instructions, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching, for they will be a garland of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck” (Prov 1:8).
What young person wants to get wisdom from their parents? Even young adults? It’s hard because youth live in a different generation and times change, but some things are timeless. And it’s those timeless things parents wish their children would receive.
And then there’s the wisdom for all peoples, the kind that calls out above the chaos.
“Wisdom calls out in the street; she raises her voice in the public squares. She cries out above the commotion; she speaks at the entrance of the city gates” (Prov 1:20-21).
Wisdom is to be found. Yes, there is loudness and commotion and distraction and noise. But wisdom’s voice is also there, above the commotion, if we will listen.
But people don’t want wisdom. They prefer others things.
They prefer mockery. Mockery is an underrated sin that does great damage. When one joins the mockers, murder is nearby. Murder of a person’s reputation or actual murder. The quickest way to establish people to one side of a viewpoint is to get people to mock the other.
“How long will you mockers enjoy mocking and you fools hate knowledge?” (Prov 1:22).
They prefer to go their own way and doing what is best to them and not the “outdated” ways of the LORD.
“Because they hated knowledge, didn’t choose to fear the LORD” (Prov 1:29).
They reject correction. Nobody likes correction but the humble will receive it anyway and respond Not the prideful. Wisdom says this:
They “were not interested in my counsel, and reject all my correction” (Prov 1:30),
They are complacent. Satisfied with the current situation and unconcerned with changing it. Refusing to see things as it is too much of an uphill battle to change it. Deciding it isn’t worth the fight.
“The complacency of fools will destroy them” (Prov 1:32).
People live foolishly (a.k.a. unwisely), thinking that at any point they can change. Not knowing that persisting in foolish does change the heart. There comes a point where it is too late and you’ve gone too far.
Wisdom days this:
When it all goes bad, “they will call me, but I won’t answer; they will search for me, but won’t find me” (Prov 1:28).
But wisdom also says this:
“If you respond to my warning, then I will pour out my spirit on you and teach you my words” (Prov 1:23).
Everyone thinks he is right in his own eyes. Even Christians. Many Christians. We only know right when we know His Word. And then have the humility to receive correction, learn from the wise, and press forward in holiness.
