Whenever feelings and truth come into conflict, truth must win. Otherwise, folks won’t even know what’s real anymore, and the whole world will fall apart.”
–John Deacon (Kip)
“He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment.”
–Ecclesiastes 8:5 (NKJV)
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.20 — Wisdom call aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. — NKJV
Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square. — NASB
Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice. — ESV
.21 — She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words. –NKJV
At the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings. –NASB
.22 — “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. –NKJV
“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge? –NASB
“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? –NIV
.23 — Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. –NKJV
Turn to my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. –NASB
If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. –ESV
If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. –NIV
Wisdom, as Bob Beasley puts it is “the very voice of the God of creation.” It is up to each individual to heed this call, to listen to His voice, but sadly many choose not to hear. Paul tells us in Romans 1:20, that because they do not listen to the voice of God, this voice of wisdom, “they are without excuse.” “The words of God make people wise unto salvation, but even the knowledge of this higher level of revelation is despised by fools.” (Beasley)
“Simplicity is stupidity” (J. Vernon McGee) In other words the question is, “How long will you be stupid?” You can’t live in a fool’s paradise for the day is coming when there will be a reckoning. Warren Wiersbe says, “Fools enjoy their foolishness but don’t know how foolish they are!” Listen! Wisdom is calling; it is shouting. There is the opportunity to turn and God’s words will become known and real. The warning is clear: Listen to wisdom! Get rid of your stupid, simple ways. Someone has rightly said, “You can fix ignorance, but stupidity is fatal.” At the end of chapter 1 we read, “For the turning [lit. waywardness] away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” (NKJV) As J. Verson McGee says, “It is spiritual suicide to turn from Christ.”
The voice of wisdom cries when the child races into the street without looking. “Danger! Stop!” shouts the words of a frightened parent for they know the child is not trained, but is foolish. The child doesn’t listen, the consequences… As a parent will cry out in warning, so did/do the prophets. “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'” (Ezekiel 33:11, NKJV)
Wisdom cries out to the simple, those unwary and easily misled. This person has no foundation, no experience, no training. Wisdom cries out to the scorner; the one who is indifferent to the parent’s love and mocks them openly. The scorner is active against good. William Arnot writes, “Scorners love scorning. The habit grows by indulgence.” The voice of wisdom cries out to the fool. This is the one who would rather stay in their sinful state. They love moral darkness rather than light. These people should heed the following: “Life is tough, but it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” (John Wayne)
It is wisdom we listen to as we walk through the streets. It is what guides us in this journey of life. Sin is trying to get in, but we see wisdom trying to reach out–and if need be, shouting at us. Listen to the voice of wisdom, not that of impertinence, arrogance, hatred, and lies. There is no excuse for not hearing the voice of wisdom. Note the story of the ten virgins, five were foolish and were not prepared and were not invited into the marriage supper. Don’t be unprepared, “for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, NKJV).