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Because they hated knowledge
    and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
would have none of my counsel
    and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
    and have their fill of their own devices. (Proverbs 1:29-31)

Today’s passage is spoken by Wisdom, personified.  In Proverbs, Wisdom calls out, daily, in the streets to those who will hear her.  Some respond to her, while others reject her.  Proverbs are meant to instruct.  So here is what the LORD is teaching me today:

• We must not despise knowledge.  Knowledge here is translated from the same Hebrew word, Da’at, that is used in this verse: For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6).  This is not a “head knowledge” but the sort of deep, intimate knowing that exists in the covenant of marriage, between husband and wife.  Despising intimacy with God is rejecting Him, personally.

• We must choose to fear Him.  We’ve talked about having a “healthy fear” of the LORD recently.  To fear Him, is to remember that this is how He speaks of His enemies, “I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them” (Ez 25:17).

• We must respond to the counsel and reproofs of Wisdom.  The Holy Spirit and the Word act, together, to teach the believer.  In order to grow in Wisdom, we must hear the Word, and do it.  Our hearts are remade in His image as we conform to the Word.  The Holy Spirit enables this to happen.  Intimate relationship with the LORD, changes us.  We cannot come close to God and remain the same – encountering the Holy One rescues, renews and repurposes us.

• Rejecting the LORD and the gospel, means God will give us over to the consequences of our own choices.  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries…For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-27, 30-31).

God gives us His Truth and His Wisdom, because He loves us and wants to instruct us so that we can know Him better, so that we can glorify Him and so that we can participate in His plan of reconciliation.  Growing in the love and knowledge of Him brings us the peace and hope that rise above the noise of this life.  Isn’t He good to teach us His ways?

What is He teaching you today?

Hugs,

Britta ~ justAgirl…just like you!