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