Proverbs 1 reminds us that the wise should be willing to hear instruction and guidance and that the fool despises it. It’s easy for one to despise the advice and guidance others often offer. But this verse reminds us that we may be on the wrong side when we do this.

However, the part I want to highlight is from Proverbs 1:20-33. I couldn’t help but notice how wisdom referred to in this chapter sounds so much like someone sharing the gospel on the side of the road.

She is sharing the gospel, but the people do not listen. She says if you listen and turn, the spirit will be poured out on you. She says she will make her words known to this person who listens. This sounds like when we repent and are saved; God pours his spirit upon us. And the second part sounds like when we are saved, and the word of God is opened up to us, revealing all that God has for us.  

But most of it is a warning if we do not heed this wisdom. She says that because you have refused to listen, she will laugh and mock your calamity, terror, distress and anguish. And when you call, she will not answer. She does not answer because you hate knowledge and do not choose the fear of the Lord. They who choose not to listen will eat the fruit of their way, but those who listen will dwell securely and be at ease without dreading disaster.

So much of that is a warning of how dreadful it will be for those who refuse to listen. This is the gospel. This is the message for all. Proverbs tell us that we choose.

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
    in the markets she raises her voice;
²¹ at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
    at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
²² “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
    and fools hate knowledge?
²³ If you turn at my reproof,^[a]
behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;
    I will make my words known to you.
²⁴ Because I have called and you refused to listen,
    have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
²⁵ because you have ignored all my counsel
    and would have none of my reproof,
²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity;
    I will mock when terror strikes you,
²⁷ when terror strikes you like a storm
    and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
    when distress and anguish come upon you.
²⁸ Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
    they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
²⁹ Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
³⁰ would have none of my counsel
    and despised all my reproof,
³¹ therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
    and have their fill of their own devices.
³² For the simple are killed by their turning away,
    and the complacency of fools destroys them;
³³ but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
    and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”