Wisdom is a Noisy Lady – Proverbs 1

I’m away at the Oregon Christian Writers coaching conference this week, so I’m sharing a favorite post from my archives.

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How much noise can you tolerate? Because of my sensitive hearing, I withdraw from situations where the noise level is uncomfortable. If I’m behaving foolishly, however, I want wisdom to raise her voice.

In the first chapter of Proverbs there’s a list of warnings for those who ignore wise counsel.

“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 ESV).

We don’t have to copy other people’s mistakes. We can learn discernment from paying attention and making changes. This will bring more desirable outcomes, as the last verses in this chapter promise.

“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me (wisdom) will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster” (verses 32-33).

Do you hear me now? 

These verses are telling me that if I listen to wisdom I will be secure, at ease, and not need to fear disaster. I want to hear what wisdom’s saying, and not turn away or become complacent. I don’t like being yelled at, but I’d prefer hearing her warnings than losing my way.

by Kathy Sheldon Davis