01.10.24
‘Wisdom’s Cry’
Whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from the fear of evil. (Prov 1:33)
We continue today to walk through the first chapters of the Book of Proverbs. It is a treatise written from a father to a son. It emphasizes the pivotal role that wisdom plays in the life.
Today we pick up our journey at the end of the first chapter (1:20-33). We find here the cry of wisdom to each soul in a needy world.
Where does wisdom cry? (20, 21) She cries out in the streets where people live and work. Her call is to the hustle and bustle of daily life, to men and women as they go about their lives.
To whom does she cry? (22, 23) She calls to all people—to those who are open to her call, and alike to those who have hardened themselves to her message.
How would we describe her message? (24-33) It can first be described as a full message, It is plentiful for the word used for wisdom is plural- ‘wisdoms.’ Her act of pouring out this message refers to gushing out. It is also clearly given as an urgent message.
And what exactly is her message? God will give no heed to an insincere response (28-30). Coming to God simply because we have been caught in the act of sin, with no real sorrow over that sin, will gain one nothing from a merciful but holy God. Complacency and indifference to spiritual truth will one day lead to spiritual ruin (32). And yet, in great contrast, safety and security will be provided for those who heed the message that she brings (33).
Its New Testament parallel is found in 1 John 5:9-12. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he has testified of his Son. He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God has made Him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life.
This particular text is in a poetical form called a chiasm, having parallel thoughts in reverse.
It begins with a general appeal (20, 21)
An appeal to the simple, the fool (22)
A declaration of good news (23)
The reason for the declaration (24, 25)
An announcement of judgment (26, 27)
The result for following the declaration (28-30)
A declaration of bad news (31)
Another appeal to the simple, the fool (32)
It ends with a general appeal (33).
Whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from the fear of evil. (33)