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PROVERBS AND GODLY WISDOM
Lesson Four
The Call of Wisdom
Proverbs 1:20-33
The objective of this lesson: To stress that in life there is opportunity to respond to wisdom, and there is a “too late” to respond to wisdom. (The teacher does not wish to create the impression that there is a “too late” to respond to divine forgiveness, but there can be a “too late” to “undo” foolish acts or decisions.)
In this reading, wisdom is personified. Wisdom is spoken of as though wisdom is a person taking action. Wisdom is presented as a real, aggressively determined person who has an agenda that seeks to benefit people. Wisdom seeks to interact with all people as it pursues their best interests. It is not merely a concept, or sensible thoughts, or a way to look at life. It is a tangible force that aggressively seeks to show people the best way to live, the way that averts what people dread, the way that avoids the consequences that ruins life and makes people victims.
Emphasize that wisdom is presented as aggressive and proactive in its determination to reach out and bless people. Wisdom is not “against” us or our enemy. It is true that the wise thing to think or do may not be (at the moment) the easy or simple thing to think or do. However, as time unfolds in one’s life, the wise way becomes the increasing valuable way to live.
In verses 20-22, note these things. Wisdom is not hidden. First, people do not have to discover where wisdom resides (as in some mysterious, undisclosed place). Second, when people find wisdom, they do not have to convince wisdom to reveal its secrets. Third, people do not have to wonder, “Have we truly understood wisdom’s message?” Nothing is secretive about wisdom’s residence or wisdom’s message. Wisdom is not people-dependent in revealing its message.
Stress that wisdom wanted to be known and understood. The concept that God’s wisdom is secretive or hidden or available only through a special source is in contrast to the concept of godly wisdom in the reading.
Note the ways that wisdom seeks to reveal itself. First, it shouts—it does not whisper to a select few. It is not hidden—it shouts in the streets. Anyone can hear wisdom and benefit from its wisdom. Wisdom revealed itself in the street. In today’s words, its message is “public domain.”
Stress that wisdom wanted to be available to the average person. Wisdom is not presented as a “hot-house plant living in a controlled environment” that cannot survive the challenges of “real life.” God’s wisdom is not the domain of a select few who claim special communication with God, but God’s wisdom is available to all.
Also note where wisdom shouted. To appreciate wisdom’s shouts in a town, think of an ancient Israelite city, not a modern city of today. First, wisdom shouts in the square. The square was typically an ancient city’s market place. Since there was no canning, or refrigeration, or freezing, everyday life included going to the square to get food for the day. It was a noisy place, but it was the city’s heart. (The marketplace figured prominently in Jesus’ and Paul’s teachings/work—see Matthew 11:16-19; 20:1-7; 23:6, 7; Mark 7:4; 12:38-40; Luke 7:31-35; Acts 16:19; and 17:17.) Numerous public things occurred in the market place.
Stress that wisdom shouted at a place where the average person could hear its shout. In the activities of the marketplace there would be a visible contrast between foolish values/activities and wise values/activities. Wisdom did not fear the comparisons and contrast to real life happenings.
Second, wisdom shouted at the heads of primary streets. They also were noisy places, but a place where many people passed. Again, wisdom’s message is not concealed.
Again, stress that godly wisdom wanted to be evident where there were all kinds of people—wisdom did not reach out to just one kind of person.
Third, wisdom took it message to the gates of the city. This was the typical place where the people went to express grievances, receive justice, or transact business, etc. (consider Genesis 23:17, 18; 34:20-24; Exodus 32:26; Deuteronomy 21:18, 19; 22:15; 22:24; 25:7; Joshua 20:4; Ruth 4:1-6; 2 Samuel 15:1-6; etc). In our words, wisdom went “where the action was.” Again, there was nothing secretive about wisdom’s message.
Godly wisdom also appeared in a setting in which it should be appreciated. If there was anywhere that godly wisdom should be respected and valued, it should be at the gate of an Israelite city or town.
Wisdom sought three types of people. It called to the naïve who over-simplified life. It called to the negative who pursued their fulfillment by being continually negative. It called to people who despised knowledge—nothing could vary from their view or thoughts.
It would seem that godly wisdom approaches three kinds of people: (a) those who are following godly wisdom, (b) those who are considering godly wisdom, and (c) those who refuse to consider godly wisdom. In this reading, wisdom is pleading to be considered, and it wishes to help those who reject godly wisdom. The primary focus is on those who reject godly wisdom because wisdom does not serve their purposes or objectives.
Wisdom’s message was simple. “Do not be afraid of my corrections! I am not a dangerous enemy who threatens your well-being! I wish to give you a gift that will bless your life. I will give you my spirit—your life will be guided by me! You will know (an understanding knowledge) my words. The outcome will not be rote, mindless compliance with a standard you do not understand.”
Stress that godly wisdom wishes to bless, not to hurt. It seeks to give lasting insight and understanding concerning life. It does not seek to function by the mindless control of rote actions, but by the individual’s understanding.
The result: Wisdom called in highly visible places, but the naïve, the negative, and those who despised knowledge refused to listen. Wisdom went the second mile; it reached for those who needed its help. However, the naïve, the negative, and the “content to remain ignorant” totally rejected wisdom. They wanted nothing to do with wisdom’s guidance.
Again, stress that godly wisdom tried to reach and benefit the unreachable. It was not “content with those I have who follow me.” Stress the person who was “unreachable” had opportunity to reverse his/her decision. (Since wisdom shouted in the marketplace, women as well as men would have heard wisdom’s cry.)
A rejection of wisdom resulted in consequences. Wisdom’s guidance is not forever available. When the consequences for rejecting wisdom began arriving, it was too late to say, “Now I see what you were talking about—I will change my ways! Please remove the consequences of my evil motives/behavior.”
Stress in foolish behavior/decisions there came (comes) a “point of no return”—there will come a time when there are “no good options.”
Wisdom said, “When the disaster of your bad decisions arrive (decisions based on your rejection of me), I will laugh at you. When you become the victim of your distress and anxiety, when your terror is like being trapped in a ruinous storm, I will mock you. Though before I called for you and reached out to you, now I will hide from you.”
Stress there will come a time when we endure the consequences of our foolish choices. Ask your class for illustrations. A promiscuous lifestyle, a dishonest lifestyle, an out-of-marriage birth, an addiction, etc. can make profound illustrations. (Be sensitive to your students. It will not be wise to use an illustration that embarrasses or targets one of your students. Remember, you are seeking to build hope, not to advance despair.)
“What happened to you was your decision, the results of your acts, and your fault. You rejected knowledge. You refused to respect the Lord—which is the beginning of knowledge. You refused to learn what was wrong in your life so you could accept my guidance. That was your decision/choice, and it was deliberate.”
Stress that when we reject wisdom, we do so to our own hurt. Foolish actions/behaviors result in consequences to be paid.
“Now you must eat the fruit of your own choices. You will have to be satisfied with the results of your own decisions. The naïve’s chosen direction will bring them death. Those who loved ignorance will be destroyed by their dedication to “status quo.”
Perhaps the most devastating aspect of foolish behaviors/decisions is the realization that the consequences were unnecessary and could have been avoided.
“Only those who listened will escape the dread of evil results by learning to live securely.”
Godly wisdom wants you to decide when you have options so it can bless your behavior/actions.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Discuss wisdom being portrayed as a person.
The discussion should include that wisdom is presented as a positive force that reaches out its hand to help those who need help.
2. Discuss the fact that wisdom was not hidden.
The discussion should include godly wisdom’s desire to be evident as it presents itself to the common person.
3. Discuss wisdom’s call to the naive, the negative, and those who hated knowledge.
The discussion should include the fact that godly wisdom did not wish for people to suffer the consequences of their choices.
4. Discuss wisdom’s message.
The discussion should include that wisdom’s message was simple and understandable.
5. Discuss the results of rejecting wisdom.
The discussion should include that one of the consequences of rejecting wisdom is that there is a “too late” to benefit from wisdom—consequences will be endured even though forgiveness is available. Often forgiveness does not eliminate consequences for foolish behavior or decisions.
6. Give examples that illustrate when it is too late to avoid the consequences of rejecting wisdom.
There are numerous examples. Promiscuous lifestyles (some incurable sexually transmitted disease), dishonesty (untrustworthiness), out-of-marriage births (the continuing presence and needs of the child), addictions (the lack of self-control), etc. are some examples. Do not target or intentionally embarrass your students.
7. Discuss the results of listening to wisdom.
The discussion should include that success in living and self-respect are found in listening to wisdom.
Link to Student Guide Lesson 4
Copyright © 2010
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ