Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that the point being made here is that, if people consistently refuse to seek and apply godly knowledge and wisdom in their decisions and actions, or to correct their behavior when things start to go wrong as a result (that is, when those people are "reproved"), then the adverse consequences that they will have set in motion will reach a stage where no amount of effort on their part will be able to avert them, regardless of how much they may realize the prior error of their ways and seek to escape the results of them, or to behave more prudently.

February 13 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Godfred! (How can they search for wisdom diligently and not find it? Proverbs 1:28) The context is so important here. So:

First, see the big picture here:

B. Advice regarding wisdom's counsel (Prov. 1:20-33): Stay close to her!

1. Her call (Prov. 1:20-21): She shouts out in the streets.

2. Her condemnation (Prov. 1:22-32): She calls; fools do not listen or come to her.

3. Her consolation (Prov. 1:33): All who listen to her live in peace and safety.

--Harold Wilmington

You have to tie two verses in a row together:

28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord."

Also, "God is not obligated to hear your prayers (Pr 1:24-28). He is not at your beck and call, as many presume. If you neglect or reject His offer of wisdom, He promised to ignore your cries for help and to turn your wickedness back on your own head (Pr 1:30-32; Ps 66:18).

"What is the knowledge hated here (Pr 1:22)? It is the knowledge of the holy God of the Bible, which is the beginning of understanding (Pr 2:5; 9:10; 30:3). It is the instruction of parents, teachers, and pastors that define God’s will for your life (Pr 12:1; 15:14; 18:15; 19:27; 22:17; 23:12). It is the doctrine of the Bible that describes God, what He has done toward men, and what they should do toward Him (Ps 119:66; II Tim 3:16-17)." 
--Source: [email protected]

So, basically, these fools conduct a late search in that they ignored wisdom when it was freely offered (Pr 1:24-25). It was a case of too little, too late (a common idiom meaning an action or remedy is too small to be effective and arrives long after the opportunity for success has passed).

And they conduct a proud search in that they still refuse to submit to the fear of the LORD, which is the very beginning of wisdom (Pr 9:10).

Today, Lady Wisdom is still shouting in the streets. She is not laughing at you--not yet. She is calling. The door of the ark is still open. But the day is coming when God will shut it (Genesis 7:16).

Will you listen now?

If you want to stop being an enemy of Wisdom and start living in her consolation, here is a simple prayer of surrender. This is not a magic formula; it is the cry of a heart that finally chooses the fear of the LORD:

Prayer to accept Christ

“Lord God, I admit that I have hated knowledge. I have not chosen the fear of You. I have ignored Your warnings and loved my own way. I deserve to be mocked in my calamity. But I hear Lady Wisdom calling me still. Please forgive me through Jesus Christ, who died for rebels like me and rose again.
I turn from my foolishness. I receive Jesus as my wisdom, my righteousness, and my rescue. From this moment, I will listen to Him. Give me Your Holy Spirit to walk in peace and safety, not because I am perfect, but because Christ is my ark. Amen.”

If you prayed that sincerely, then hear Lady Wisdom’s promise:
You are no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1). You will dwell safely. Not without trials but without the terror of final judgment (2 Corinthians 5:11:"Therefore, knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade others...) That is the consolation. That is the gospel.

Now go; listen daily to her voice in Scripture, and you will live.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report