Proverbs 1:26-33

 

Prov 1:26 (KJB)

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

 

Fear - Terror

 

Those who have rejected wisdom and have mocked at it because they thought they knew it all, will face calamities and fears in their life and since it was the rejection of wisdom which got them into their predicament, wisdom will actually scoff at the predicament because wisdom, when utilized, will keep a person from getting into trouble and from ruining their life. This is what Solomon is trying to convey to his readers. The opposite of wisdom is foolishness. (Prov 22:15 KJV) Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Foolishness is equated to having the mind of a child and that means immaturity. Those who reject wisdom will do it from an immature mindset and immaturity always leads to problems.

 

Prov 1:27 (KJB)

When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

 

Desolation - Devastating storm

Destruction - Calamity or distress

Whirlwind - A destructive storm wind (fig. to bring to an end)

Anguish - Affliction or oppression

 

Those who have rejected wisdom will eventually face major calamity in their lives to such a point that they will be facing destruction in a moment. Just as a tornado can devastate a house in seconds, this is how swiftly the destruction of those will come when they reject wisdom. Some people can live for decades and not face much adversity but there will come a day when they must face the Lord for their transgressions. If you notice at the beginning of the verse it does not say “if your fear cometh” but “when your fear cometh.” In other words, it is a definite event which will happen in the lives of the unbeliever. They may be taken out in death and the next thing they know they are standing before the Lord to give an account. It will be swift like a whirlwind destroying a home.

 

Prov 1:28 (KJB)

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

 

When calamity befalls an unwise person, they will then try to make amends by seeking wisdom to get out of their predicament. The problem is that they have so distanced themselves from true wisdom, that they would be unable to recognize wise words. It is a truth that some people have to hit bottom before they are reachable. Here wisdom is refusing to answer them and to be found. Those who die unsaved may cry out for the mercy of God but it will be too late because wisdom must be gained on this side of the grave. Many times unwise people get themselves into predicaments and then hope others will get them out of it. That is not always the case and it cannot be counted on.

 

Prov 1:29 (KJB)

For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

 

Here is a repeat of the previous indictments. These people hated knowledge and that would be the knowledge which is tied to the fear of the Lord. This is the rank unbeliever who believes that they know it all and in their darkened understandings think they have more wisdom than those whom the Lord has enlightened. If these people would have chosen the fear of the Lord, then they would have received the knowledge which accompanied it but man in his lost estate cannot and will not bring himself under the authority of God. If God saves that person, then they will receive the knowledge of the Most High.

 

Prov 1:30 (KJB)

They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

 

Despised - Rejected

Reproof - Correction

 

The unbeliever always rejects the counsel of God and rejects all His corrections. The unbeliever is so steeped in their sins that they do not even consider a correction or reproof as a warning from God that further calamity will happen. Anytime we set aside the counsel of God, we are setting ourselves up for disaster. Even a Christian can reject the counsel of God and that will set them up for a major reproof, if they respond properly, they will go back on the straight and narrow, if they reject it further, they will face much harsher chastisement.

 

Prov 1:31 (KJB)

Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

 

Here is the consequences of their actions. We live in a society which believes and teaches that actions have no consequences. When we look at TV we see the free sex on primetime and always without consequences. We also see much drinking of alcohol and they always show it without consequences. Here we read that there is no action without consequence. These people chose to go their own way and have rejected wisdom, therefore they will bear fruit from their pernicious ways and it there will be no crop failure. (Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. It is the simple law of sowing and reaping. Whatever you sow, you will reap. Keep in mind the principle that you plant a tiny seed and it grows to be a plant hundreds of times bigger than the seed. This is how sin is, you only need to sow a little bit before you reap a much bigger crop. This is the deceitfulness of sin as many believe a little bit cannot hurt or that they can control it.

 

Prov 1:32 (KJB)

For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

 

Simple - Young, naïve, or inexperienced

Prosperity - To be at ease

 

Those who are young or naïve and reject wisdom, it will literally kill them. The time to seek wisdom is when you are young so you can build your life on wisdom’s principles. Then the second half of the verse states that a fool who is at ease, that is, the fool who consistently commits sin with a very lackadaisical attitude will be destroyed. This person does not recognize sin and goes along with the ways of the world without even questioning his lifestyle. To be at ease and not question anything is the life of a lazy person who does not want to rock the boat but goes along with anything. That attitude is the destruction of a person’s life. Vigilance in righteousness is the mark of a true believer.

 

Prov 1:33 (KJB)

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

 

Hearkeneth - Listens

Shall be quiet - Shall be untroubled

 

True wisdom when adhered to will not only be the antidote of a life heading toward destruction, but it will cause a person to maintain a true peace when tough times enter a person’s life. (Phil 4:7 KJV) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. The world will always look at us twice when we maintain a thorough peace during rough times. This is a great testimony that our lives are not shattered but is kept together under times of adversity. This first chapter warned of judgments against those who rejected wisdom and is designed to bring about a repentance in those who have rejected its teachings.

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