Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom cries without; she utters her voice in the streets:… I. A DIVINE CALL. 1. The subject of the call. 2. The places in which it is given. 3. The manner in which it is addressed. 4. The persons to whom it is applied. (1) The simple are those who are easily seduced, the thoughtless masses, who become the ready victims of evil-designing men. (2) The scorners are those who ridicule sacred things. (3) The fools who hate knowledge include both of the above classes. II. AN IMPORTANT EXHORTATION — "Turn you at My reproof." 1. The subject to which this exhortation refers. The great design of the gospel is to turn men from the error of their way. (1) We are to turn in the exercise of true repentance. (2) We are to turn with full purpose of heart. (3) We are to turn without delay. 2. The inducement given in order to lead us to comply with this exhortation. The sinner's inability to turn to God is not of the same nature as our inability to fly, which is a physical inability. To meet the moral inability, and to encourage those who are oppressed with a sense of it, the promise is given, "I will pour oat My Spirit unto you." He is bestowed in order to change our hearts, to aid our infirmities, and to strengthen us with strength in our souls. It is also said, "I will make known My words unto you." (1) They will be made known to enlighten. (2) To direct. (3) To quicken. (4) To console. III. A SOLEMN DENUNCIATION. Of the doom here denounced we have — 1. Its procuring cause. The disregard shown for, and the contempt cast upon, the Divine message. The act "stretching out the hand" is done — (1) To command attention. (2) To afford assistance. (3) To confer a blessing. (4) To make up a quarrel. 2. Its terrible nature. He who is shown as graciously promising and helping is now described as "laughing at calamity and mocking at fears." And the woe will be aggravated by the consideration that mercy will be sought when seeking it will be unavailing. (Author of "Footsteps of Jesus.") Parallel Verses KJV: Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:WEB: Wisdom calls aloud in the street. She utters her voice in the public squares. |
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