Scripture
Wisdom is like a woman shouting in the street; she raises her voice in the city squares.
She cries out in the noisy street and shouts at the city gates: “You fools, how long will you be foolish? How long will you make fun of wisdom and hate knowledge?
If only you had listened when I corrected you, I would have told you what’s in my heart; I would have told you what I am thinking. I called, but you refused to listen; I held out my hand, but you paid no attention.
You did not follow my advice and did not listen when I corrected you.
Fools will die because they refuse to listen; they will be destroyed because they do not care.
But those who listen to me will live in safety and be at peace, without fear of injury.” (Proverbs 1:20-25; 32-33 NCV)
Key phrase — You did not follow my advice and did not listen when I corrected you.
Digging Deeper...
- How is Wisdom personified? What is Wisdom doing? What does Wisdom say?
- What seems to be a disappointment to her? Why is she disappointed?
- What will happen to those who are foolish and don't listen? Who is responsible for this?
- What encouragement is there for those who listen to Wisdom?
Make it personal...
When in your life have you realized that it cost you because you didn't listen to or seek wisdom?
When have you sought and listened to wisdom and benefitted from doing so?
Do you know where King Solomon sought wisdom? Where or from whom do you seek wisdom?
Reflection
In Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman as a means of illustration. Throughout the Bible, God is shown to be the origin of wisdom. If we think of wisdom coming in words, we can gain wisdom from Jesus—the Word made human (John 1:1, 14).