Wisdom Calls Aloud
Posted by israeliteindeed on June 17, 2010
Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 18:3)
To the “little children,” with love.
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
Jesus is Wisdom (I Cor. 1:30). Wisdom is publicly crying out, but most aren’t listening. Jesus has been lifted up on the cross–a public display of the love and goodness of God–that all men might be drawn to Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life. The one who seeks the Truth will have ears to hear what Wisdom says.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
“ How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
If ever you hear His rebuke, TURN and live. Open rebuke is better than secret love (Prov. 27:5). When God corrects, it is for our good. He is our Teacher and our Shepherd in Jesus Christ. He gives His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). His words are our daily food, our Life. To know and have fellowship with Jesus is to have eternal life.
Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,
Because you have persisted in rejecting Me…
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
“ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
Choose the fear of the Lord! “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Prov. 1:7
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
The strongest warning possible is given to those who refuse to regard the helping hand of the Lord, refuse to receive His counsel, and reject His loving rebuke. We all “eat the fruit of our own way” or “reap what we sow.” Those who allow the Lord to Shepherd them will be blessed, but those who reject their Creator’s guidance will be destroyed. They will seek His help after repeatedly rejecting all His counsel, and no help will be given. Jesus said, “Walk while you have the Light lest darkness come upon you.” (Jn. 12:35)
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Here, 2 things will bring destruction upon us: turning away from God OR complacency. One is more active than the other, but both lead to destruction. Jesus said He will spit the “lukewarm” (complacent) out of His mouth; the remedy is realizing you are in this category, receiving His rebuke, and zealously repenting (Rev. 3:15-21).
The one who continually LISTENS to Him will be safe and secure! God the Father testified of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Luke 9:35) Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (Jn. 10:27)
God bless you!
smilesback said
Yes, Prov. 27:5 –”Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” It seems many in ministry rant and rave at the heathen and those who don’t agree with them theologically, yet they pamper their ministry friends and wink at their sins (and their own) –like hatred, discord, mockery, slander, and rash, ungracious words. They seem to think they can use Prov. 27:5 on others, calling it righteous indignation or true love; but if someone uses it on them, they cannot take rebuke or correction at all!
And yes, when God corrects us, it is for our good. Yet when these types go around rebuking, they merely appear arrogant, unloving, and immature. They seem to rebuke in order to make themselves feel important, or to say, “Look at how zealous I am for the Lord. He is certainly pleased with ME!” Or they do so to gather disciples after them for their own ego’s sake. Or they are intimidated because since another sees a flaw in them or their teaching, their influence or lifestyle is in jeopardy.
It’s all quite amazing –how the preachers themselves, while preaching against hypocrites and sinners, can so well exemplify those they condemn.
Then when something goes wrong for them, they just think it is the devil, rather than considering that God may be disciplining THEM so that they might turn and repent.
For they most definitely need to repent of their un-Christ-like attitudes, behavior, and words. “We are Christ’s ambassadors!” (See 2 Cor. 5:20) “And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” (v.19) An ambassador is an official representative –a diplomat. And the definition of a diplomat is one who can deal with people in both a sensitive and an effective way.
But unfortunately, many preachers preach their message of condemnation. True, carried by any ambassador, the message of potential “war”, “wrath”, and “judgment” is there, but the message of reconciliation is the one put to the forefront. For “wisdom is better than strength.” (Ec. 9:16) Wisdom and diplomacy is better than reckless boldness, courage, or threats. Through wisdom and diplomacy cities (and souls) can more likely be saved. (v. 15) Should we preachers not be more mature, more wise and discerning, more skilled at “turning away wrath with gentle answers” (see Prov. 15:1), than one of the world’s ambassadors sent from one worldly kingdom to another? Does it not say in Prov. 20:3 that “every FOOL is quick to quarrel”? Then why so many preachers taking pride in their hot-head blastings? A worldly king would fire such immature mouths in a heart-beat. So might The King –if He wasn’t so gracious Himself!
It’s foolishness. If these preachers were not so hot-headed, but instead wise –like they think they are– they too would listen to open rebuke. –Rather than rest in hidden love (or the kisses of an enemy –v. 6) that supports them down their reckless path. “Faithful [and gracious] are the wounds [rebukes] of a [true] friend.” (Also v. 6) But they will not listen. For as Prov. 15:12 says, “A mocker resents correction, [and viewing himself as above reproach] he will not consult [or heed the advice of] the wise.”
Rachel