Proverbs 1:24 - 27

The last time we studied together, we looked at this long passage about the pluses and minuses of seeking after wisdom. We studied the first and last verse of this passage, which had very encouraging words to say. This time, we will look at the verses in between which are about those who choose NOT to seek God’s Wisdom. Today, we will start by looking closely at Verses 24 thru 27:


Proverbs 1:24 - 27 (NKJV)
24 Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,


26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you




Remember, we are talking about wisdom, which is portrayed as a woman in these passages. Verse 23, talks about being given God’s Spirit to guide us and help us understand when we DO seek His ways. In the rest of these verses, though, we see a picture of those that refuse to seek after God’s wisdom. Remember, too, the way Hebrew poetry works… the second line sometimes reinforces and strengthens the first. In Verse 24, we see this in that “Wisdom” called, and was refused… so she stretched out her hand, but was ignored. How often have we heard that “still, small voice” deep in our hearts and refused to listen, and then something else got our attention a little more forcefully, but we still ignored it, and ended up regretting it.


Verse 25 starts the explanation of what happens when we “disdain” (disdain - lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike) the wise things and ignore the “rebuke” or admonition (see last blog) we find when we seek Godly wisdom. Verse 26 indicates that once we have ignored wisdom and gotten ourselves into a “calamity,” (calamity - An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster 2. Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy) and the problem starts to overwhelm us, then it will be to late, and we WILL experience “terror” (terror - 1. very great fear, panic, or dread). We won’t be able to back out of the problem… we will feel as though we are being laughed at or mocked.

Verse 27 is another of those examples of poetry where each line builds on the one before it to stress the “horror” that can come about from ignoring the wise path. It talks about the terror coming like a storm. Some storms come with a lot of forewarning, while others, like tornados or whirlwinds, suddenly appear and cause complete destruction. We have seen the effects of these horribly destructive winds on the news way to often. The “distress and anguish” brought about by them are clearly etched in the tears and horror-filled faces of those that have lost everything.



I am not saying that those that are hit by earthly storms aren't following God, because the scriptures tell us that everyone goes through problems in this life, but if we are following God and being wise, we will have been given "spiritual" help to get us THROUGH the storm or even to have been routed AROUND the storm area (or into a spiritual "cellar" or place of safety.)


These verses paint a devastating portrait of the life of those who don’t choose to follow a path of Godly wisdom.



LB NOTE: Many people who are blessed even if they aren’t following God, DO follow the general principles or "paths" of wisdom in their lives, and wisdom, in itself, usually leads to a more abundant life.

Proverbs 1:23-33 (NKJV)

Proverbs 1:20 – 33 is a section that goes together. In Verses 20 thru 22, we saw “Wisdom” calling to the young and/or immature and trying to get them to see that wisdom is there for the taking. She warns that turning away from SEEKING wisdom will cause people to turn to the wrong friends and go down a road that will lead to problems and pain for them and others.

Though this is a long section, I think we should start by reading all of the verses of the rest of this section with these things in mind:

Proverbs 1:23-33 (NKJV)

23 Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;

I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I have called and you refused,

I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,

25 Because you disdained all my counsel,
And would have none of my rebuke,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when your terror comes,

27 When your terror comes like a storm,

And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,

When distress and anguish come upon you.

28 “ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;

They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge

And did not choose the fear of the LORD,

30 They would have none of my counsel

And despised my every rebuke.

31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,

And be filled to the full with their own fancies.

32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them,

And the complacency of fools will destroy them;

33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,

And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

These are very strong words, both good and bad, from God and we will break down these verses in the next few studies. In verse 23, the verse that begins this section, and in verse 33, the one that ends it, we are given words of encouragement about what happens when we DO seek wisdom and start to follow its precepts. Let’s look at the first of these encouraging verses:

23 Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.

The word “rebuke” in this case means “a helpful kind of verbal correction.” Another word that it could be translated to mean is “admonition - cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)” . In this case, the admonition comes that IF you turn when given the admonition or warning, then the spirit of “Wisdom” will be “poured out” on you and you will start to understand the things you need to know to live a Godly life.

The last verse, verse 33, says :

33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,

And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

As we’ve studied before, this is a “proverb” and not a promise, but proverbs are PRINCIPALS that we can live by and the PROBABLITY is that those that live by the principle will receive the stated reward. Those that LISTEN to the words/principles of wisdom will be much more likely to dwell in safety and security.

If they follow these principles (again, seeking God and His kingdom first) then they will live under His protection and can trust that whatever happens isn’t going to end in the destruction that evil brings, but in the knowledge that He WILL fulfill the PROMISE of Romans 8:28 (NKJV) : 28 And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

We can have faith that even when evil or bad things happen to us (which is part of living in a fallen world) then GOD can make them work out for good. For instance, my daughter-in-law recently passed away (January) and part of it was not making wise health decisions (which is a major problem for most of us). This death was a horrible, “evil” thing for our family… especially my son and their four girls, BUT they have been turning to God and seeking HIM first in their lives. Because of this, they have been wonderful examples of having faith in God and in the fact that their wife/mother has gone on to heaven because she believed in Christ, etc.

As a result, many of the children in their AWANA classes and adults in their church have come to the place of accepting Jesus as their Savior, have been born again, and will also be going to heaven now. So many others have seen their faith and testimony to Christ’s love in the way that He has taken care of them, (my son had been laid off from his job through no fault of his own last November) that they have had their faith strengthened as well.

In our next study, we will take a look at the verses that go between these two verses of encouragement. Hope to see you the next time.

Proverbs 1:22

LB Notes: 1. How does the proverbs help in our daily life? The book of Proverbs is a sort of Manual for Life. It gives us principles that apply to everything a man says and thinks… to reactions, attitudes, decisions, justice, work, home life and relationships. We can be totally obedient to God’s laws, and still not be wise in our lives. If we do make wise decisions, then our lives will be more abundant because, in being wise in GOD’S ways, we are “seeking first HIS kingdom and righteousness” which results in His providing all we need.

Note 2: Proverbs weren’t meant to be counted as “promises,” like some of the other scriptures are. They are general “guidelines or principles” and not iron-clad laws. In other words, the proverb that says “the righteous will be healthy and wealthy and the wicked will die young” is not a “promise,” but a probability. Proverbs are good principles to live by, but God is always wiser than we could ever be and sometimes, He makes exceptions when He has a good reason or lesson to teach (which we don’t always see until later.)

Proverbs 1:22 (NKJV):
22 “ How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?

For scorners delight in their scorning,

And fools hate knowledge.

Remember in the verses we’ve studied before, that “Wisdom” was portrayed as a woman that was calling out for the young and/or immature to come to her. God IS “Loving Wisdom,” and His longing is that we would seek or aspire to grow and not “love simplicity.” He WANTS to bless us, and He WANTS us to learn to seek Him first because THAT scripture IS a promise.

You can see the principles of Hebrew poetry in this verse very clearly. The first line asks a question that starts the idea. It is, again, talking of those who are just young and/or immature.

The second line is stronger and talks of people who are like so many we see in gangs or cliques (which are often just high class gangs.) They sit around in a group and scorn (cut down others) and sort of “egg each other on…”

The third line uses even stronger language, stating that “fools” (those that actively hate and avoid wisdom) also hate to get knowledge. Remember, knowledge is the acquiring of facts while wisdom is using those facts in practical ways to live a Godly life. Remember Matt. 7:24 - 27 talks of those who build on God's foundation (rock) and those who don't:

Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV)
Build on the Rock 24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Hebrew Poetry… Proverbs 1:20 and 21

I have been doing a lot of research on the Book of Proverbs and came across some information that I felt I should share because it helped me understand the way Hebrew poetry (which is one of the basic ways that the book of Proverbs is presented) is written. The structure of Hebrew poetry is called “parallelism or intensification.” This means that the lines of each verse are parallel in some way and the second line intensifies or “concentrates” the meaning of the first one… if there is a third line, then the idea is even more powerful.

There are 4 main different types of parallelism as well. Sometimes the first and second lines are sort of the same, and the first just adds more emphasis to the second as illustrated by Prov. 1:18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! Sometimes, the second line is an illustration of the OPPOSITE of the first line, which enhances the meaning by doing something like illustrating a point from another angle (Prov. 10:1 A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, grief to his mother).

Another type of parallelism paints a word picture as we saw in Prov. 1: 11 and 12, (If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit) to get the point across. The last type, continues the same thought in the second line as was introduced in the first such as Prov. 1:19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Anyway, I thought that it was interesting that the Proverbs were a form of Poetry and that is why much of it is written in “idea groups” of two or more. Ok, on with the study...

Proverbs 1:20 and 21 (NKJV): The Call of Wisdom

20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses; at the openings of the gates in the city, she speaks her words:

These verses paint a picture of “Wisdom” being like a woman that should attract others to her. The Hebrew word that is used for “wisdom” is hokmah which was used to indicate the skill of a craftsman. When used in this context, the skill would involve skill in Godly living. It indicates a skill that comes from knowledge and experience in living a Godly life.

In the Hebrew culture, the older men of authority often congregated in the “open squares,” “chief concourses,” and in the “gates of the city,” so these verses talk about places where the young could go to hear these elders speak and discuss the important matters that were going on around them. Again, as in the first parts of this chapter, the young and inexperienced at told to go to the wise to learn the things they need to know.

How often do we instinctually turn to others that we feel have “gone through” the things that we are going through to get guidance? I think that this is something that God has put in us or that He has taught us over our lifetimes. It is an important principal of life that we should utilize when we need it and that we should be willing to share when our children or other younger or less mature people need it.

Reading and studying the word of God, who is omniscient (all knowing) is another important way of gaining wisdom. Various parts of the Bible will teach us wisdom in the different areas of life that we need to learn it. God illustrates His love and long-suffering throughout the Old Testament. He illustrates the concepts of what sin causes and how it has to be judged or it will take over and ruin everything around it. He illustrates His continued forgiveness to those who turn to Him, turn away from sin, and choose to follow Him.

His greatest illustration of love was when He knew we COULDN’T be sinless, that we needed someone to pay the price of sin, which is death, and then HE paid that price by sending HIS son to die in our place, and wash away our sins. THEN He illustrated that there is a life after death by raising His son to give living proof of the truth of His Words. That is the whole point of the New Testament…

Proverbs 1:14-20

Proverbs 1:14-20 (New International Version)
15 my son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; 16 for their feet rush into sin, they are swift to shed blood. 17 How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds! 18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they waylay only themselves! 19 Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Verse 15 starts with “My son,” again reminding us that a parental figure is guiding those that would listen. Parents were so VERY important in God’s plan. He calls himself a “father,” and His original plan called for a “father” that was a male figure in charge of the family, but so full of love that a child could trust that his/her “father” would only teach and make wise decisions in guiding that child through childhood and into young adulthood.

The warning is continuing to talk about the “evil friends” that are trying to turn the young or immature person into paths that would lead to destruction:

Matthew 7:12-14 (New King James Version) Warning to stay on the “narrow” path
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The verse warns against even putting a foot on that slippery slope of a path. Things seem to speed up… “feet RUSH to sin…” and “they are SWIFT to shed blood.”

It doesn’t take long once you start down that path… especially if your “friends” are urging you on, or taunting you into doing things. We MUST choose our close friends carefully!

Verse 17 says, “How useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds!” This is talking about people who set up snares for wild birds or animals. The point is, most hunters don’t set up a trap WHILE THE CREATURE IS WATCHING, for this would be stupid… if the animal KNOWS about the trap, it would have to be a pretty STUPID animal to walk right on into it. Unfortunately, there are a few animals that will still do that, and this is talking about people that follow these stupid animal’s lead.

Verse 18 and 19 goes on to say, that the foolish people that do evil, “waylay only themselves…” Sooner or later (and it might not be until they have to explain themselves to God) they will pay the price for their sins. They WILL end up losing their lives. THIS is the end of “all who go after ill-gotten gain.” This father wants to warn the young person about this path BEFORE he starts down it, as our Father GOD wants us to be warned.

Proverbs 1:10-14

Warning Against Enticement

10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. 11 If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul; 12 let's swallow them alive, like the grave, [a] and whole, like those who go down to the pit; 13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder; 14 throw in your lot with us, and we will share a common purse" (New International Version)

In these verses and some of those that follow, a father is warning his child (son is used as a generic term) not to let “sinners” (those that don’t follow God or His teachings) entice you... (draw you away from what is right). We should look at these verses as God, our father, talking to us. If we take His warnings to heart, we will be gaining wisdom..

How do these “sinners” entice? Verse 11 says that they want to form a group/gang that plans evil, then hide and ambush “harmless” people who pass by. They “talk each other up” just as so many people in the gangs of today do, saying things about how “great” they are that they can “swallow them alive and whole…” They persuade the young (either in age or in wisdom/maturity) that by taking advantage of others, they will “get all sorts of valuable things…” They make promises to work together and then they will “share a common purse…” (they promise to share the proceeds of their evil plots.)

This is such a common scenario in today’s world and we see it on the news and in TV shows all the time. It isn’t just the “gangs” that have this type of mentality, though. So many TV shows portray many kinds of people doing the same thing. Think about some of the shows about housewives that verbally gossip and/or actively tear up people’s lives.

What about the movies that tempt (ambush) people into thinking about sex outside of God’s plan. Think about drug dealers that “waylay” harmless young or immature people into believing that drugs won’t hurt them, and that they will get something “good” (share a common purse) if they follow along (throw in your lot with us…).

There are so many ways that we are tempted, lured, or beguiled into sinning (following the lusts of the flesh). God, as our Father, warns us against giving into these temptations. He warns us not to become “friends” with people (TV, movies, etc. ) that would corrupt our morals and lure us closer to ambushes that are planned by evil people or even those “powers or principalities” that “war against our souls…” By becoming aware of the evil that lays in wait to attack us, we can avoid dangerous zones in our lives, too, as well as not joining the attackers.