“Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn? (Proverbs 1:22). That’s far too an intolerant thing to say in our modern world. But this is how Wisdom shouts out aloud in the first chapter of Proverbs. “She raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech” (Proverbs 1:20-21). God does not sugarcoat or tolerate sin. He cares too much for us and knows where our self-obsessed, self-guided delusions will lead. And so Wisdom says, “Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.” (Proverbs 1:23). It’s simple, even for a simpleton. Repent, then Receive. “First, pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy—you’re in good hands.” (Proverbs 1:33). As wisdom calls out to you in the book of Proverbs, will you pay attention to God?
