Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
in the markets she raises her voice;
at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks
Proverbs 1:20-21
The scriptures, full of truth, are rich with an abundance of insight hidden in plain sight. How often do we read passages and skip past more subtle verses, missing the glorious meat within? I was dumbstruck by those two, simple verses in Proverbs 1. I would guess most readers will ignore the setting of Lady Wisdom, and plunge into the feast that follows in verses 22-33. The context of where and what Lady Wisdom is and is doing is so often lost among Christians today. The situation of the passage should influence Christian thought, in how we view the world, unbelievers, government, schools, businesses, society; the aspects and nature of life. Wisdom is abundantly clear. Note, this isn’t “wisdom is abundantly clear on a topic.” Rather, the author speaks on the very nature of being of Wisdom. Wisdom is present, public, open to all, existing, therein, alive, real, is there. Lady Wisdom is not hiding behind intellectual understanding. She is not locked behind the comprehension of great books and philosophers of old, nor any spiritual secret knowledge obtained through enlightened meditation. Wisdom cries out in the streets, the whole world can see her! Lady Wisdom is the street preacher you walk past, declaring the truth to all, the one whom all people know about in the city, the loud, the one whose gaze pierces the soul. And where is Lady Wisdom? The market, the place where all people must come for daily life. From the farmer in the rural area to the noble, all must enter the market, for food, supplies, to live. And there she speaks.
Yet the people ignore Lady Wisdom. They chastise and scoff; they hate knowledge!1 They despise reproof and correction, hating the very gift that is offered freely.2 A tragic tale. Lady Wisdom loves the people; for if she hated them, why would she offer correction? Why would she offer reproof? Why give council? Why would she offer to pour out her spirit upon them? But the people do not love wisdom. They hate. This is the nature of man, in rebellion to their Creator, the God who is love.3
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:18-20
Oh how we see this truth. It screams at us. Rooted in the testimony of the martyrs of old, both in and out of the Scriptures, and today behind the screen of our phones and computers. And oh, how we suppress the truth. The biological realities of nature, of both man and woman, and children in the womb. The insanity of seeing the righteous punished, while the wicked go free. The blatant lies and absurdities told by our media. The unjust employer giving impossible deadlines and workloads, and the employee embracing theft and sloth. The worship of the self, the sacrifice of babies on the alter of abortion, the praise and love of spirits, demons, and beasts. All rebellious actions towards our God.
We will lie, we will run, we will numb our perceptions and senses to reality with drugs and technology, and we will lash out and kill, yes kill, to detract from the Truth. Satan has always attempted to destroy, and when given the opportunity, he kills. Be reminded of the slaughter of babies by Pharaoh and King Herod, and the betrayal of brother and friend in Cain and Judas. They will kill God’s people given the chance. Yet know Christian, God is real. God is King. God is the Judge. And our Lord will come back with a sword, to deliver His people and slay His enemies, to His praise and for His glory. The fool says in their hearts there is no God,4 and they have no fear of God in their eyes.5
Friends, humble yourself. For we too, were once fools, but God chose us foolish men, to bring about His glory and shame the wisdom of the wise.6 What lies did we cling to and believe? What wisdom of the world were we swayed with? All of us fools must repent. Know this Christian. The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.7 We are called and commanded to fear the one who can destroy the body and soul,8 and to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.9
In Acts 2, the Apostle Peter preaches on the death and resurrection of Christ. Peter holds no punches, he shows the people that the prophecy of old in Joel is at hand.10 Peter cries aloud in the streets, he cries to all of the people, that they crucified the Son on the cross.11 And with the testimony of prophecy and the speaking of foreign tongues, the people hear Lady Wisdom. The sign of the prophecy is unfolding before their very eyes! They are reminded of the foretold judgement and destruction of Jerusalem first hand, spoken by Joel, and are “cut to the quick.” The people fear the Lord! They beg, they cry out, “Brothers, what do we do?”12 And a beautiful response is given through Peter, preaching Christ crucified.13 Peter declares to the people,
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Acts 2:38-39
This story doesn’t end here. Be in awe and terror, Christian. There were many who scoffed at Lady Wisdom, those who refused to listen. Judgement came upon Jerusalem. The city was razed, the streets ran with blood, foreshadowing the Final Judgement. As the author of Hebrews writes,
For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Hebrews 2:2-3
Fear God. Hear Lady Wisdom crying in the street. Kiss the Son, lest in His wrath, you perish there along the way.14
Robert, thank you very much for the kind words, brother. That sincerely means a lot to me that your spirit…