If I were to sum up today’s reading in Proverbs 1 it would be stated in a simple, familiar adage: “You made your bed, now you will have to lie in it.”
Proverbs 1:26-31 – “I [Wisdom is speaking] also will laugh [mock] at your calamity [misfortune]; I will mock [deride] when your fear [terror; dread] cometh; 27 When your fear [terror; dread] cometh as desolation [storm; destruction; ruin], and your destruction [calamity; misfortune; disaster] cometh as a whirlwind [hurricane; tempest]; when distress [trouble; affliction] and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they [those that had rejected wisdom and instruction] call [cry out] upon me [Wisdom], but I will not answer [hear; respond]; they shall seek me early [seek diligently], but they shall not find [attain; acquire] me: 29 For [Because] that they hated [enemies of; foes of God and wisdom] knowledge, and did not choose [select] the fear [reverence and worship] of the LORD: 30 They would none [would not consent or acquiescence] of my counsel [had rejected Wisdom]: they despised [scorn; abhor] all my reproof [rebuke; correction; chastisement]. 31 Therefore shall they [wicked who rejected godly wisdom] eat [devour; consume] of the fruit [reward; price] of their own way [road; course of life; journey], and be filled [satisfied] with their own devices [counsel; plan].”
So it is with those who reject God and godly wisdom. To understand and rightly interpret today’s proverbs you must remember that it is the personification of Wisdom who is speaking and denouncing those who rejected God’s Word and counsel.
The wicked of our day might appear more sophisticated in their attack on those who believe the Bible is the Living Word of God and the sole authority for faith and practice; however, their subtlety belies the reality they are vicious enemies of God and His Church. They call good evil and evil good. They reject God as the Creator (Romans 1:22-23); they champion sodomy and promote “Gay Marriage” in open defiance of God who calls their wickedness “vile affections…against nature…error” (Romans 1:26-27).
Solomon taught his son what the Apostle Paul warned would be true of those who rejected godly wisdom…they would be turned over to reap the consequences of their wicked ways (Romans 1:28-32).
I close with a New Testament principle that is evidenced in today’s proverbs and taught throughout the Bible: Principle of “Sowing and Reaping”
Galatians 6:7-9 – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”