Wisdom Lesson 3 - Turn at My Reproof!
Reflective Reading: Proverbs 1:20-33
Today we’re introducing the third Wisdom lesson. In the first two Wisdom lessons we read:
“My son, obey the correction of your father and do not forsake the teaching of your mother.”
“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent to go with them.”
In this third Wisdom lesson, not only is there a break in the usual 'My son' pattern, but there is also a pause in the father’s teaching. Lady Wisdom herself enters the scene, and you can tell, she’s on a mission. Let’s join the class and hear what she has to say…
Imagine yourself seated in the classroom. Two boys in the back are making jokes and laughing while the rest of the class settles into their seats. The door opens and a beautiful woman enters. Tall and distinguished-looking, this lady holds a commanding presence. Without a word, she glances around the room. The boys in the back instantly stop talking when they catch her penetrating gaze. All eyes are now upon her. There is complete silence. She is Lady Wisdom.
She opens a book and begins to speak. Immediately you realize that her words carry weight. They are both powerful and eloquent. Conviction and encouragement flood your heart as you hang on every word. Then suddenly, Lady Wisdom closes her book and says to follow her. You slip from your chair and follow her outside, wondering where she could be taking you.
“Follow me closely children,” she says.
She leads you into the streets, into the busy marketplace. Her demeanor starts to change; her voice begins to rise, and you can tell that she means what she says and says what she means. Chills run down your spine, and you are in awe at her words. Never in your life could you have imagined a lady so courageous, so powerful.
She then moves to higher ground where everyone in the busy streets can hear her. She cries aloud; she utters her voice. She speaks forth boldly in the chief place of the business district where leaders are meeting. In the busiest places of commerce she utters her words, saying, “How long, ye Simple ones, will ye love simplicity?” Then she turns to us and asks, “And how long will Mockers delight in their mocking? How long will Fools hate knowledge?”
At first her questions seem rhetorical, but you start to wonder. Could she be talking to me? Am I simple? Do I at times have a mocking attitude? Do I hate knowledge? All eyes in the class are looking either downward or away from her gaze. Everyone is asking himself the same question.
The silence is finally broken as Lady Wisdom looks at the businessmen who are hurriedly walking up and down the streets. She calls out, saying,
“Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I will make known my Words unto you,”(Proverbs 1:22-23).
They continue walking, as if they don’t hear. She repeats her words with a loud voice, “Turn!” She speaks to those who proclaim themselves to be wise yet have become fools (Romans 1:22). They believe they are rich and prospering and have need of nothing. They have degrees from Harvard and Yale, but don’t realize that they are really wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17).
Lady Wisdom is not discouraged, however. She continues to speak, her eyes flashing and her words penetrating. A few of the men and women on the street laugh at her. Most pay no attention, but there is one who is listening. He stops for a moment, but then continues walking away. Then suddenly, he stops in his tracks, turns, and slowly walks back. Their eyes lock on each other for a moment. It appears that they know each other. Her words are like distant memories, surfacing and awakening his soul.
Lady Wisdom turns her gaze away from the young man and toward the hurried businessmen and women. She speaks with authority and finality,
“Because I have called and you refused to listen, I have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.”
Turning to her class she says, “Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.”
Walking toward the edge of the curb, she looks directly at the young man, who hasn’t moved since she started her reproving speech. With a voice of compassion she says, “but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster,” (Proverbs 1:24-33).
Everyone on the streets moves on as if they hadn’t heard Wisdom, except for this young man. He has fallen to his knees and tears are flowing. He doesn’t raise his head again. Lady Wisdom walks over to him, bends down, and embraces him. The class is moved to tears. She whispers something and the young man nods in assent.
As she crosses the street, you once again hear her words, “Follow me.” As you follow after her, she shares what she told the young man, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise Wisdom and correction” (Proverbs 1:7). You wonder what this means until you hear her final words, “Embrace correction, my children, and the knowledge of God will enter your house, and Wisdom will follow.” The class has drawn to a close. What a lesson!
Lady Wisdom is gentle and grace-full, but she truly says what she means and means what she says. The rewards for listening to her are beyond compare. To learn more about these rich rewards, join us next week for a unique lesson on Protasis Apodosis.
God bless!
Dr. Mark Hamby
Choose your friends (and books) wisely! Here are our best books on learning to accept correction and reproof:
Little Threads (Ages 6-11)
Runaway Darling (Ages 6-11)
Struck by Lightning (Ages 9-14)
Bishop’s Shadow (Ages 12-99)
Hand on the Bridle (Ages 12-99)
