Proverbs 1:32-33 “Lady Wisdom’s First Appeal, Part 3: The Reason”

(32) “For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; (33) but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Lady Wisdom has given her plea to repent of neglecting the Word of God. She has given her warning that you will reap what you sow if you ignore her plea. She now gives the reason for listening to her plea.

Lady Wisdom first gives two results of rejecting her plea.

1.   Wisdom called the simple to turn to her (v. 23) but instead they turn away and it “will slay them.” The fool thinks he can reject God (Psalm 14:1) without consequences. This rejection will lead to their eternal destruction.

2.   These fools remain complacent, secure in their worldliness. The presume upon the kindness of God. This will also lead to their eternal destruction.

By way of stark contrast, Lady Wisdom now gives the results of listening to her:

1.   Dwell safely – The Believer has the protection of heaven (Psalm 121; 91:3-7; Joshua 1:5)

2.   Be secure without fear of evil – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

As Proverbs 1 concludes, we are present once again with the two paths: the path of the fool and the path of wisdom. The path of the fool seems appealing at first and the path of wisdom seems arduous. In the end however, the path of wisdom is the only path that provides safety, security, and happiness.

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Related Scriptures: Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 1:24 & 30

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“Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3;

Proverbs 1:7 “Two Paths”

Thee fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Two paths are described in this verse. The two paths are the path of the wise and the path of the fool. These paths are described and developed from this verse through chapter 9.

For the first path of wisdom, Solomon starts at the beginning. The first step to true wisdom and knowledge is the fear of the Lord. Knowledge without a reverence toward God is not useful and leads only to false conclusions and pride. (Compare Ecclesiastes 1:18 with Ecclesiastes 2:26 & 7:12.)

Knowledge is to knowing with certainty, to understand clearly. Often, we gain our knowledge through teaching from another person. It is not unusual for us to say we know things, meaning we have been taught them. We are relying on the veracity of the teacher or the informer. This is why the fear of the Lord is so important in knowledge. What we learn from God, from His Word – the Bible – can be trusted with absolute certainty. The veracity of the Bible is never in question for it is the very words of God. Study it, and you will gain real knowledge.

Of course, the second path is the path of the fool. “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1 & 53:1) “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” (Psalm 10:4) Because the wicked man, the fool, is proud and refuses to acknowledge God, he must gain his knowledge from that which is around him. Romans 1:20-22 explains how this happens: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

If you have trouble receiving instruction (correction & discipline) or prefer entertainment to gaining wisdom, please heed the warnings given in these verses. It is never too late to change direction in life. The choice is yours. You have the Word of God, read it, learn the fear of the Lord, for that is the beginning of wisdom, and the first step to becoming wise.

(The painting is “King Lear and the Fool in a Storm” by William Dyce, circa 1851)

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 9:10; 10:14; 17:27; 24:3-4

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“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot

Proverbs 1:7 “What makes knowledge profitable?”

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Knowledge profits nothing if one does not fear the Lord. Knowledge without a reverence toward God is not useful and leads only to false conclusions and pride. This is seen so well in the belief of evolution. Anyone looking at a building would say it had a designer. But the same person, looking at the human body which is much more complex than a building, will say it happen by chance. Why? Because they do not fear the Lord and despise wisdom and instruction. They have made themselves out to be fools because they do not fear the Lord.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 9:10; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13

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“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

Proverbs 17:27-28 “Cool Silent Wisdom”

“He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.”

Here are two ways to show yourself wise.

1. The first way is by controlling your tongue. The wise man uses his words sparingly, taking time to consider what to say before saying anything. When he does speak, the words have purpose. Never underestimate the power of silence. It is so powerful, that even a foolish person may be considered wise if he holds his tongue.

2. The second way is by having a “cool spirit”, i.e. not being given to anger but having a good temper. This is controlling your actions, or better, your reactions.

Of course, both ways of showing yourself wise are related. Indeed, find a man who controls his tongue, and you will usually find a man who controls his temper, and vise versa.  Why is this? Because both require self-control and both require you to pause and think first.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 15:2; 16:32; James 3:4-10

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“A cool head with a warm heart is an admirable composition.” –Albert Barnes