Wisdom Calls Out

Wisdom, according to Scripture, is synonymous with God’s word.  To be wise, we must read the Scripture.  In this particular passage we learn that wisdom is calling out to us.  The author of Proverbs tells us as much at the beginning:  Does not wisdom call out?  So we should be asking, How does wisdom call out?     Wisdom calls out to us three ways.

1.  Wisdom Calls out Continuously

The Author asks, Does wisdom not raise her voice?  She calls out at the highest point, she calls out where the paths meet.  Wisdom takes her stand.  Wisdom calls out at the city gate.  The indication here is that there is not one area of life, there is not one corner of the world, there is not one stone left unturned where wisdom does not speak.  In fact, there is not one situation, nor one relationship, nor any area of life that wisdom does not continually call out to us.

2.  Wisdom Calls out to All Humanity

Again, we are told that wisdom cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.  You need to understand that in ancient cultures, the city gate is where all business was transacted, where all legal disputes were dealt with, and where all news was heralded.  Anything of importance took place at the city gate.  Therefore, the city gate was where all people gathered in order to be a part of the city life and not one person was left untouched by what occurred at the city gate.  In other words, wisdom calls out to all people because we all need wisdom!

3.  Wisdom Calls out with Boldness

There is no timidity with wisdom’s call (Does she not raise her voice?).  It is a loud ringing cry that echoes off the walls and rattles the windows.  To raise one’s voice does not always mean we must yell to get our point across.  But there will be times when a loud clarion call is necessary.  But there is more.  The author tells us:  Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.  My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 

The word ‘listen’ means to hear in order to receive and to adhere to / to submit and obey what you are being told.  When we ask our children, “Are you listening to me?” We are not saying, “Is your hearing apparatus working?”  We are saying to our children, “Why aren’t you obeying me?”  That is what wisdom is saying as well.  When wisdom says, listen to me, wisdom is really saying you must believe my word and obey it for this is truth.  That’s what wisdom does.  Wisdom calls out and tells us to listen.  But the question remains:  While wisdom calls out to all of us continuously and with boldness, are we ready to listen to what wisdom is saying?