Proverbs 1:22 “how long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? how long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?”
Growing up as a young boy in Scotland living in children’s homes and assessment centres brought moments of genuine joy and also times when life was challenging. There were often few resources for the children at these homes, and that caused difficulties. At one time there was no money for clothes. The school I went to required a uniform, and I did not have one. So I went to school after the holidays in my normal clothes. I was sent to the first aid room, where other boys came and scoffed. Even teachers come and just stared at me. Eventually, I was sent home with a note to say not to come back without the correct clothes. No one really understood the journey I was on, or what it felt like to be in this situation. The lesson for me in this situation was to try to care for those that may seem to be out on the margins.
I think that wisdom has great compassion, asks great questions, leads with great care, and looks for the moments to speak words of life to the weary, the hurt, the broken and the burdened. It’s possible to be really intelligent and still be simple, or a scoffer, and you don’t have to be book-smart to have wisdom, and that’s a thought worth meditation….
UNDERSTANDING: Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live? The word for “long” in Hebrew is pronounced as ” ‘ad”. This word is used 126 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into various English words such as; until; far; forever; before, extends, in spite of; since; by; and, forth. In our verse (22) we hear the implied meaning of “up until when?”.
KNOWLEDGE
Two questions back to back, there is compassion and correction in the cry of the writer’s heart – it’s like he has seen their end and is in despair because they continually will not listen. Is there a hint of frustration as well, how long – how long will he have to put up with these people? The people this is addressed to are those who are very deliberate in what they do, even if they are naïve, still that is no excuse as they refuse to listen to or take any counsel, but have become totally set in following this path. It’s not an accidental path, they are intentionally and energetically focused on staying this pathway beyond what a person pursuing moral purity can understand.
WISDOM
Q – What are my blind spots, where do others sense a concern or frustration with my consistent thought patterns or actions? (who will you ask?)
Strengths Thought – Discipline is a beautiful Executing Strength – be careful that your framework does not become a reformatory. The way you approach life, so ordered, deliberate and structured, allows you to eliminate chaos and strike out proactively in your chosen direction. The way you can see all the details enables you to avoid roadblocks and bypass problems. You are all about progress and getting on with the task at hand.
P.S. – stay open to the unexpected and exceptions.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [you, who so easily slip into the wrong ways, will you become so familiar with these ways? You intentionally deride and ridicule others, and love living in that place, adding mischief, immorality and deliberate falsehoods with vigour, despising any and all purity of Godliness.]
Prayer: Thank you Father for today. Please help me to see the areas of my life that need to change, and help me to listen to your guidance and take it to heart. Thank you.
I agree, wisdom asks great questions, shows great compassion…and ‘listens’ too. Sometimes we jump into trying to help someone solve a problem when what is much needed in the moment is to simply listen.
Ignorance can almost be overlooked but cynicism! The cynic mocks most things and makes many feel foolish but in truth, who is the fool?
Allan, I stand in amazement at the man you are as I learn more about your journey of life. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for your insight ps. Allan. Your story today is something that I have been praying and having insight into it. When we celebrate the day of Pentacost, we remember that we are walking in this journey of life with the Holy Spirit. One key of spirit that is enable us to change daily to be better and more like Jesus is having teachable spirit. This require us to be humble as human being and willing to learn and listen. I have been praying and meditate for this and praying for myself, my family and others having this Spirit. We learn a lot since the Covid 19 pandemic. Having Holy spirit as our Counsellor in our daily life, it is the key for this current journey of life. We will have so much peace, assurance and joy eventough things has been so tough. Amen
How much longer you cling to your deception?
I have so many memories as being deceived:
My husband and I came from two different cultures from India. When we greet a honourable senior person including your parents especially on a special occasions I was asked by my darling husband that I should prostrate before them as was his custom. We both are of Christian faith and this custom was uncomfortable for me to follow.
15 years after marriage on a Christmas gathering ,
my mother-in-law ( mum)gave new clothes for all of us to wear. As I was coming down all dressed up to go to Christmas service, I greeted mum and my husband.(they were having coffee at the dining table). As I saw them I greeted them with great joy of Christmas whole heartedly. Saying:”Good morning and happy Christmas “..
(I was wearing new Sari the gift I received from mum.
Christmas Eve when I received the gift, as their custom I thanked mum with prostrating.
In all preparation and excitement to get to church at 8am,)
There was an unpleasant look and rebuke from my beloved husband. I had this river of tears that I couldn’t control. For fifteen years I followed this custom and if this was going to measure my love and respect for them … I made a decision it’s time that I make it clear that I am not following this anymore.
Then I remembered that The Lord has instructed me to fast food on that day before we made the trip to India.
After church I went straight to my room and began to pray with fasting!
When mum finally found out that I was crying and fasting, she approached me and asked to come down and send off some guests.
I took this opportunity to tell her that I love and respect her very much. But from today I will not prostrate before anyone except my Lord!
I had the boldness to declare and stick with it.
I will always be respectful and grateful from my heart!
I Was not born again when we were married. I followed the culture for peace sake.
When the Holy Spirit opens our eyes we see His perspective and with His power and love and sound mind we overcome fears!
This Wisdom is always there if we would stop and listen.
God has led me to fast and pray many occasions but when I was instructed to fast on a ‘Christmas Day ‘as we families coming together from various places; I was not sure that I heard from the Lord.
This incident has compelled me to run to the Lord in prayer as well for the Salvation!And deliverance for us.
I love the Proverbs!
They are medicine to our heart and soul! They are nuggets of gold.
Thank you Allan.
wisdom that teaches us to be compassionate to others,to speak life to the weary ,hurt and broken is truly such a beautiful message,
What are my blind spots?
How does my attitude and behaviour impact or harm people around me ?
What would I do to bring effective change ?
So thankful that God’s word transforms our lives in a manner that we become more aware of our behaviour and thought patterns.
Thank you pastor Allan for these great questions that encourage us to look Into our own lives and be open for change .
Pastor Allan what an incredible example you are to so many coming from such humble & so undeserved beginnings .
I see here a call particularly to a young person who is lacking in life experiences & maturity to work at making good habits in his or her life because bad habits can be easily adopted which can steer you down the wrong path of life & it’s very hard to change bad habits. Cultivating Godly wisdom discipline being teachable and accountable showing compassion & empathy as well as being respectful of others are choices which will bring good opportunities & wise companions into your life. & set you up for a win. However it is often a daily discipline to check our attitudes before the Lord & be open to the Holy Spirit who can bring conviction to enable us to change
Is it the easy way out ? Does it just require too much discipline to follow wisdoms ways . Is it arrogance or insolence and only believing in yourself and your thoughts that cause such attitudes toward life ?
For me the blind spots are just those things in life I believe I’m yet to learn but I am willing and will continue to ask for help and desire always to be teachable. To do life better and be better equiped communicating and making wise decisions
“It’s possible to be really intelligent and still be simple, or a scoffer, and that’s a thought worth meditation….”
I agree with this statement you made Allan. God’s definitions are very different to our worldly ones.
“ wisdom has great compassion, asks great questions, leads with great care, and looks for the moments to speak words of life to the weary, the hurt, the broken and the burdened.” This is beautiful! I pray The Lord gives me this wisdom.
Thank you Pastor Alan, discipline is my top strength and todays devotional spoke directly to where I’m at currently. I need Gods wisdom more than ever before
I love the connection between wisdom and compassion, seems so obvious. Thankyou for these thoughts and honesty in Sharimg your sorry.
Wow hit me with your experience as I had a similar one been send home for not having the correct shoes as there was no money to afford them that resulted in always trying to fit and fighting to belong however values from God put you back in place
This world is losing those values now and wants more of you showing you and making you want things that will satisfy you for a minute but not for eternity not been ready for the time we get to meet the father
and I ask myself what do I want now what do I want for my children?
A life for now or an eternal blessing.
Thank you Jesus
I am finding these proverbs very helpful the way you have expounded, illustrated and given examples of, even your life experiences. This has been helpful in looking at studying better.
This is a heart cry, how long will the scoffers continue to ridicule. It is easy to continue doing the same thing which produces no growth and not be open to correction or rebuke. Simpleton –
I guess without others pointing things out it is easy to continue not realising the habits are a blind spot.
Being willing to learn and asking for help, swallow the pride and get knowledge in areas of weakness.
Hi Allan
After reading this Proverb 1:22 and then reading the break down of the sentence, Im feeling the Holy Spirit is saying “you foolish one stop thinking you can do it on your own”. I have put things or people in place to help you. Drop your pride & ask for guidance in your place of struggle.
Oh Simon – what a great insight to have! And I can hear the tenderness in the voice of the Holy Spirit as he whispers to you – he loves you sooooooo much!!
There were always well-intended scoffers when I share my dreams or desires who thinks we need to be ‘real’ and ‘wise’. I pray for discernment to see who I can share God given dreams and that I will always guard my heart.
I have certainly witnessed time and time again your incredible compassion and genuine care when working with people Allan. Certainly the fruits of the SPIRIT are clearly visible in you and your ministry.
If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be encouraging evidence to convict you ?
This reading was incredibly humbling. Wisdom isn’t about being book-smart. Growing up, I was taught that as you age, you naturally become wiser and that older people are always wise. However, as I got older, I started to question that belief. It wasn’t until I came to the Lord and met people who spent time with God and immersed themselves in His Word that I realised true wisdom comes from God. It isn’t tied to growing older, but to growing closer to Him.