The story goes that a driver had to detour because he came to a dead end. Actually, at the end of the road there was someone who warned him that the road in front of him was a dead end. But he was suspicious of the person and ignored him. On the other hand, he felt that he had passed a similar road and was fine. Finally, his ignorance had to end badly. Forced to turn around and start all over again. Friends of the Bible, isn't it often the case that this experience also happens in our lives. Unfortunately, we don't encounter roadblocks but struggles, challenges, and even deadlocks that occur because of our ignorance of the warnings of others and God. When that happens, only regret remains. If only we had listened to His warnings.
Our reading this time echoes something similar. The ancient Middle Eastern tradition used to personify things in order to affirm what was being said. This time it is wisdom that is personified, but the process is not mere decoration. The writer of Proverbs wants to emphasize the Wisdom that is to guide all humanity that listens to it. Wisdom speaks, calls out to all, and is present in public spaces in order to proclaim God's way of wisdom to His people. This is how God reaches out to His people.
Wisdom calls out to those who are inexperienced, love ignorance, scoffers, and fools who hate knowledge. They are those who are busy with themselves. Unwilling to accept instruction and teaching, they ignore God's commands and live in the demands of their own lusts.
These people are warned to turn to Wisdom's rebuke. She gently calls people to listen to her instruction and live according to divine wisdom. He who listens to wisdom will dwell securely, safe from the terror of calamity (v. 33).
Thank God, if at this moment we are reading or listening to this devotional, it means that the cry of Wisdom is also offered to us. Let us submit to God's grace in His word and wisdom. By living in wisdom and the fear of the Lord. The world offers its perspective and wisdom. But it is only in God that we find true wisdom.
