Proverbs 1:20-23 “Lady Wisdom’s First Appeal, Part 1: The Plea”

(20) Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. (21) She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: (22) “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. (23) Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.”

In verses 20-33, we have the first of two appeals from Lady Wisdom. (Four times in Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a noble lady that should be pursued 1:20-33; 3:13-20; 8:1-36; 9:1-18.) Similar to the Father’s appeal in verses 8-19, this appeal has three parts:

1. The Plea (v. 20-23)

2. The Warning (v. 24-29)

3. The Reason (v. 30-33)

The first principle to note is that Wisdom is not hidden. Observe the following:

1.   She wants to be found so she “calls aloud”, “raises her voice”, “cries out”, and “speaks her words”.

2.   She wants to be found so her pleas are in public places where people are. She is “outside”, “in the open squares”, “in the chief concourses”, and “at the openings of the gates of the city”.

Who is Lady Wisdom’s plea for? The plea is for the “simple ones.” She rebukes them, asking how long they will love being simple? Lady Wisdom points out that the simple cannot remain in that state for ever. They will turn into scorners and fools. The simple stand at two paths that diverge (1:7) and must choose which path to follow. Lady Wisdom beckons the simple to follow her, to turn at her rebuke. If so, Lady Wisdom will pour out her spirit, making her words known to the simple one and thereby converting him into a wise man.

It is important to note at this early stage in Proverbs that Wisdom represents the entire counsel of God’s Word, not just these Proverbs. The truth that the Word of God will convert the soul and make one wise is attested throughout Scripture.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)

“The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (Psalm 119:130)

Therefore, the plea of Lady Wisdom is to repent [“turn at my rebuke”] of neglecting the Word of God.

(Since there is much to learn here, each part will stand as its own post. The next post will discuss the warning for rejecting Lady Wisdom’s plea.)

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 10:17; Revelation 3:19

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 “Very few men are wise by their own counsel, or learned by their own teaching; for he that was only taught by himself had a fool as his master.” – Ben Jonson

Proverbs 1:1-6 “A Rightly Steered Life”

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

 A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Most of the book of Proverbs was written by Solomon to pass wisdom on to his sons. Solomon begins by giving his sons the purpose and objectives of his writing:

1. To know wisdom and instruction.
2. To perceive the words of understanding.
3. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity.
4. To give prudence to the simple.
5. To give knowledge and discretion to young men.

Solomon doesn’t want his son to simply hear what he is about to say. He wants his son to meditate on these Proverbs so as not to forget them. The young man who pays attention and internalizes these truths will be greatly blessed. (Proverbs 8:32-34; Psalm 1:1-4; 119:1-2)

However, these Proverbs are not only for young men. Solomon points out that all wise men and men of understanding can benefit by attaining wise counsel. We often think we know more than we do. Gaining wisdom requires enough humility to realize that you need to ask questions.

Albert Barnes notes that the phrase “will attain wise counsels,” means literally, the power to “steer” his course rightly on the dangerous seas of life. Certainly Solomon, as all parents, want there children to be able to steer their lives with wisdom throughout their lives. “Steering your life rightly” is the goal of Proverbs. If you pay attention, you will learn to steer the greatest ship of all: the ship of your life.

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Related Scriptures: Proverbs 1:7;10:1; Psalm 1:1-4

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 “To admit ignorance is to exhibit wisdom.” – Ashley Montagu

Proverbs 30:5 "Every word of God is pure"

“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

Falsehood exists in the words of man, but the words of God are pure, without deficiency. They are as silver purified seven times. We can trust them wholly, without reservation, knowing that by so doing, we place ourselves under His protection. Knowing and walking in His Word is where the believer finds happiness and security.

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Related Scripture: Psalm 12:6; Psalm 119:140; Romans 7:12; James 3:17

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“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” – John Sammis

Proverbs 13:13 “Reverence for the Word”

“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

The Word of God should be at the forefront of the Christian’s life. It should be revered, honored, learned, and obeyed. Those who spurn its precepts and warnings, trading them for the momentary pleasures of the world or the flesh, insure their own destruction. By contrast, those who cling to every word and commandment, submitting to its authority through obedience, honor God, avoid destruction, and receive reward.

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Related Scriptures: 2 Samuel 2:9-10; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Psalm 19:7-11; 119:165; Proverbs 1:25,30,31; James 1:25

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“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever,

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much find gold:

Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is they servant warned:

And in keeping of them there is great reward.”

Psalm 19:7-11