The Voice in the Streets
A Devotional on Proverbs 1:20-31
Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-31 (NIV)
"Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:
'How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?
Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.
But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.'"
Wisdom Is Everywhere, But Are We Listening?
The first striking image in this passage is that Wisdom is out in the open, crying out. Picture her standing in the busiest intersection of your town, waving her arms, trying to get everyone's attention. This isn't a quiet whisper in the privacy of a sanctuary or a soft voice overheard during a peaceful moment of reflection. No, Wisdom is in the marketplace, at the city gates—where people are doing business, making deals, rushing from one appointment to the next. She stands at the very place where decisions are made, yet so often ignored.
What does this mean for us? It tells us that God's wisdom is not hidden in obscure places, reserved only for the spiritually elite or those who have studied the scriptures for years. It's not locked away in some distant, inaccessible location. Instead, God's wisdom is calling out in the everyday moments of life—in our work, our conversations, and even in our struggles. The question isn't whether Wisdom is speaking. The question is whether we are listening.
Have you ever been so wrapped up in your own plans, worries, or desires that you fail to notice the signs that God is trying to show you? Wisdom isn’t confined to our religious practices. It’s present in how we navigate relationships, handle our finances, and make moral decisions. But if we rush past her voice, distracted or proud, we risk missing the guidance we need.
The Temptation to Ignore
Wisdom goes on to call out those who reject her—those who are content in their "simple ways" and mockers who "delight in mockery." These words are not just directed at the obviously foolish; they point to a broader issue in all of us: the temptation to ignore sound advice, especially when it challenges our pride or our comfort.
Sometimes, rejecting wisdom isn’t about ignorance. It's about convenience. It's easier to keep doing what we’ve always done than to admit we’ve been wrong. It’s simpler to follow the path of least resistance than to take a hard look at ourselves. But ignoring wisdom doesn’t erase the truth. It only delays the consequences.
Wisdom warns us that there is a point when it will be too late. When calamity strikes—whether in the form of a failed relationship, financial ruin, or a moral crisis—there’s a limit to how much we can backtrack. The decisions we make today shape the outcomes we face tomorrow. God offers us wisdom, but He does not force us to listen. The choice is ours.
Calamity and Consequence
The passage speaks strongly about calamity. When disaster strikes those who have rejected wisdom, they will call out, but Wisdom will not answer. This might sound harsh at first, but it’s not meant to be cruel. Rather, it reflects a sobering reality: there comes a time when the opportunity to act has passed.
We’ve all experienced moments of regret when we realized, too late, that we should have chosen differently. The door of opportunity to listen and change eventually closes. This isn’t about a lack of grace from God but about the natural consequences of ignoring the truth. When we repeatedly dismiss wisdom’s voice, we eventually face the consequences of our choices.
Heeding the Call Today
But the passage doesn’t leave us without hope. The message is clear: listen to Wisdom today. Don’t wait for the storm to hit. Don’t wait until the consequences of ignoring sound counsel become unavoidable.
When Wisdom calls out, she doesn’t just warn—she offers an invitation. She promises, “Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.” God’s wisdom is generous. When we turn our hearts toward listening, He fills us with insight. It’s not about being perfect or always knowing the right answer; it’s about being open to correction and willing to change course when needed.
A Final Reflection
God's wisdom is crying out to you today. Perhaps she’s speaking through a challenge you’re facing, a conversation with a friend, or a nudge in your spirit. Don’t ignore the signs. Heed her call now, before calamity forces you to stop and listen. Wisdom is not a distant or impossible standard. She’s already in the streets, waiting for you to turn your ear to her voice. Will you listen before it’s too late?
This invitation is not one of condemnation, but one of grace—a reminder that no matter how many times we’ve walked past Wisdom in the past, she’s still there, ready to pour her insights into our lives the moment we choose to listen.