A Walk Through Proverbs;Rejecting Wisdom

DAY TWO, PART TWO

From the Complete Jewish Bible, by David H. Stern

Michlei (Proverbs) Chapter One, Verses 20-33

Wisdom calls aloud in the open air and raises her voice in the public places.  she calls out at streetcorners and speaks out at entrances to city gates; “How long, you whose lives have no purpose, will you love thoughtless living?  How long will scorners find pleasure in mocking?  How long will fools hate knowledge?  Repent when I reprove–I will pour out my spirit to you, I will make my words known to you.  Because  you refused when I called, and no one paid attention when I put out my hand, but instead you neglected my counsel and would not accept my reproof; I, in turn, will laugh at your distress, and mock when terror comes over you–yes, when terror overtakes you like a storm and your disaster approaches like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble assail you.  Then you will call  me, but I won’t answer; they will seek me earnestly, but they won’t find me.  Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Adonai, they refused my counsel and despised  my reproof.  So they will bear the consequences of their own way and be overfilled with their own schemes.  For the aimless wandering of the thoughtless will kill them, and the smug overconfidence of fools will destroy them; but those who pay attention to me will live securely, untroubled by fear of misfortune.”

Notes:  Does anyone reading this particular passage see anything prophetic about it?  Let us remember that the Lord does use His people to correct the counsel of those who have perverted it or have a misunderstanding…warning them that what they are preaching is wrong, or that what they are doing in their life is outside of God‘s will.  I can’t tell you how many people I have personally tried to warn, not because I am perfect, for I am in no way sinless; rather, because I call sin as it is–sin, whether my own or a seriously misled brother or sister.  And do you know the response I received?  That I was judging them, that I was hateful, and the like, when all I did was point out what the Word of God says.  They mocked me, hated me, and ridiculed me for trying to shine the light of God’s Word on their darkness; which, by the way, is what we as God’s children are to do.  We must do it with love and care in our hearts; however, realize that to correct someone, if they are not in a place of repentance, is going to be taken negatively, especially now more than ever due to the increasing evil of the days we are living in.  To warn someone in attempt to save them from torment and eternal death, knowing you will more than likely receive criticism, judgment, and hatred as a result, is an act of great love.

My dear reader(s), know that today, there are more liberalized and lukewarm Christians than at any other time; having the appearance of godliness and love, yet not truly conforming to His Word.  Be prepared for these types.

For it is clearly written:     

2 Timothy 3

New King James Version (NKJV)

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ⁹ but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.  ¹⁰ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. ¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ¹³ But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴ But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

And…

Revelation 3:15-16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,^[a] I will vomit you out of My mouth.

And finally…

Matthew 7:21-25

New International Version (NIV)

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Coming up next in our study in Proverbs:  Cultural and historical notes on Proverbs Chapter One–Ancient Near Eastern Wisdom.  Be sure and watch for this post coming later today,  in the finalization of our study in Proverbs Chapter One.  Thank you, and God bless you today and always! 

Verse of the hour: 

2 Timothy 2:15

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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