Wisdom’s Invitation & Wisdom Personified
Text: Proverbs1:20-33
Wisdom’s Word to Us -- Proverbs 1:20-23
The Effort
She shouts
She lifts her voice
She cries out
She utters her sayings
The Audience
The Ignorant
The Scoffers
The Haters
The Invitation
Repent at my rebuke! (NIV)
Turn to my reproof (NASB)
Repent / Listen
Accept Correction
The Benefit
I will pour out my spirit on you
I will make my words known to you
Wisdom Forsaken -- Proverbs 1:24-25
Refusal to hear: Like a child covering their ears
Refusal to pay attention: Like a teen rolling their eyes
Reckless indifference: Like a young adult not caring what long term consequences could be
Rejecting correction: Like adults who chose to be set in their foolish ways
When Wisdom is Spurned -- Proverbs 1:26-32
The results are painful
calamity, dread, distress, anguish
like a storm, like a whirlwind
Wisdom is portrayed as laughing at our calamity and mocking our foolishness.
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” – Ravi Zacharias
Ravi was considered one of the greatest minds in modern Christianity. He was a teacher, author, and world-renowned Christian apologist and evangelist.
A widely sought speaker, and a respected leader in Christian circles. He died in May of last year. After his death the Christian world was shocked by
revelations concerning him, for he was also a perpetrator of sexual harassment, infidelity, and even sexual abuse. One of his former staff referred to him as the “greatest fraud.” When we forsake the counsel of wisdom the price will be high. For all the good that Ravi accomplished in his life, his ministry and his reputation is in ruins.
The Foolish Choice -- Proverbs 1:29
They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord
The Wise Choice – Proverbs 1:33
Those who listen to wisdom will live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil.
Your Choice
Refuse to listen to counsel
Refuse to accept correction
Refuse to adjust your life
Refuse to submit to the Lord
OR
Repent and choose the fear of the Lord
Wisdom says -- Prov. 1:28
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me,” (ASV)
But God says -- Jeremiah 29:13-14
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ (ASV)
Our choices in this life have consequenses
CHOOSE WISELY