Proverbs 1:25 “because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof”
When I was very young we lived in a street that was a designated “play street” – so no cars were allowed in unless the people lived there. And to be honest no one on our street owned a car. The only car we saw was a little bubble car that opened at the front, and that came late at night as a boyfriend visited his girlfriend in the next tenement. The houses were single rooms with a bedroom and alcove of the main living area. No running hot water and some tenements had outside shared toilets. We had one common back grassed area – that was really for washing to dry for the hundreds of families that lived in the tenement blocks surrounding it. All the children played together out on the street and we had great fun with very simple resources.
One summer afternoon one of the boys (we would all be maybe 7 years old) came out to play and offered to buy everyone an ice lolly. This was unheard of – most families had so little extra. He went off down the street and around the corner out of sight, which again was unheard of us – we were all under the unwritten rule that if your parents came to the window and could not see you, you were in big trouble.
I remember him walking back around the corner about 10-15 mins later both hands full of iced lollies – and not the cheap ones, but multi-coloured, rocket-shaped, the stuff of dreams.
He was about 20 yards away from us when his mum came out of the stairwell of their house. I could tell by the look on her face that something was not right. She shouted towards her son “did you take money out of my purse?” – oh, oh! We all stopped what we were doing frozen in our positions, and his mum took him by the ear and they (and all the ice lollies) disappeared into the dark stairwell. We all were hushed – we all knew that taking money from your mum’s purse was up there with all the other capital crimes.
We knew when his dad came home as we could hear the wailing as he was punished (in those days spanking was very normal – and wooden spoons were commonly used).
I remember thinking even then that there were some bits of advice that were really good to listen to. Although I could nearly taste the ice-lolly……
KNOWLEDGE
Here is a second back to back “because”. God is about to impart some new information to us and he is first setting out his reasoning. The actions we have chosen or not chosen to take in response to his instructions are about to deliver their consequences. Those being addressed have no excuse, their ignorance is their choice.
God has given great advice and backed it up with a father’s loving correction so that the listeners can make choices that will bring health and prosperity to them. From the hearers there is no recognition, not a glimmer, it’s as if the advice has never even been given. God is about to respond to this hard-hearted stance.
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 Hebrew word for counsel is pronounced, “esah” and has 87 mentions in the Old Testament, It is translated into English as the following words: purpose; order; plan; schemes; design; counsel; advice; and, strategy. For us reading Proverbs 1:25, we would pick up on the idea of plans, purpose and advice.
WISDOM: What understanding have you gained from reading the bible, or in the church from a preacher, but have closed your ears to it?
Strengths Thought – Individualisation is a beautiful Relationship Thinking Strength – don’t assume that you already know who people are and what they have to say – start a conversation and then really, truly, listen. Beware of being focused on only getting your own way in the relationship through attempting to manipulate others. The rules do apply to you – don’t be difficult, get on board. You have such an ability to recognise and embrace their uniqueness with an authentic sensitivity to others’ needs. Your understanding of others makes for beautiful partnerships built on genuine trust.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version: [you turned your back on me when I was speaking, and blocked out everything I said to you.]
Prayer: Father thank you for today. Please help me to listen to your leading with a heart that loves you for who you are.
God’s wisdom is ignored at my own peril. Wait on the Lord until I have that wisdom is never a waste of time, it is only ever beneficial for me.
Thank you Jesus for your wisdom!
I can think of a couple of times when I have ignored what God was trying to tell me and I missed opportunities that could have been mine. Winging it just doesn’t work. God has given us His word to live by , His warnings and instructions are there( I love how the Bible is so balanced- not all warnings or not all everything’s ok) we reap what we sow!!
Oh to have listened when I was younger and thought I knew what I wanted . Pushing away the warning, blocking out what God was saying to me . He knows what’s for our best because He has prepared the best for us. Amen
Wooden spoon:
A great reminder and will help is when we grow up. At that moment of punishment you don’t necessarily understand that you were wrong.
The teachers used to Cain students. This brought so much fear and often skip schools because you are afraid.
But kindness and correction will have a transforming impact!
We need wisdom and understanding at all age and at all times.
Upholding the truth, respecting the elders and wise counsel and willingness to obey.
This is only possible from the position of our right relationship with God and people by The Spirit of God!
I am learning this now!
This gives me an earnest desire to pray for the little ones to be filled with God’s Spirit and Wisdom.
Thank you Ps Allan
“ do you recognise the people God has positioned in your life, those who have exactly what you need and those who need exactly what you have.“ what a powerful question. I will take time to really think this through.
I so pray I am person who is always willing to listen to the council and advice of the Holy Spirit.
Here we see further warning of being stubborn & hard hearted in ignoring what God is directing us to do. The sooner one learns that God’s ways are always higher & much wiser than often our flesh is telling us what to do the better. Surrounding ourselves with mature wise Christian people who we can be accountable to is a great privilege & it’s so worth cultivating this. Being isolated & not having wise counsel can be often dangerous in our lives where we can become independent & self reliant on our own decisions & not include Godly wisdom in the mix which ultimately can lead us astray from God’s best!!
Growing up I have listened to many sermons at church,but I would sometimes
forget all the advice and do what I thought ok at the time.,not thinking of the consequences of my actions.
I can look back at my life then ,and be really dissopointed on how I have acted,
Today I’m so thankful to Him who saved me ,
Who gave me a new life and new hope .
I chose everyday to follow his teachings and apply it to my life to the best I can ,and even when I fail I know his merciful and gracious and loves me in all my imperfections .
If I don’t listen I won’t understand His plan and I will fall
Recently I said Is not about you is about them
But God needs to shape us into place so when we stand in front of others and we are questioned His word will protect us
If I rebuke to my father I will pay the consequences however God is so loving He still gives us a chance to repent and go back to Him
Through Jesus we find our way back and through the Holy Spirit we can walk with strength
Jesus help me understand your plans your ways and not my ways
Often has happened to me, I listen to or read a scriptures and halfway I have come to my own conclusion or my mind has drifted to own understanding! And to learned I haven’t listens carefully enough!
Hi Allan,
Basically saying because you didn’t listen to me or my word and being stubbin and not forgive, this is the reason why you fall.
I have gained so much from reading His word and doing this study
Desperately important to listen and be open to God prompting
Thank you again Ps Allan
I recognise that god has put people in my life for the better but honestly feel that I dint really have anything for anyone else
We were asked at work to bring a “gift”…”talent” to show others how to DG o it as a team exercise…… I had nothing …….something yo work on
I’ve had many a sermon impact me then forget it as quickly as I heard it which is not good … but I always seem to recall them when it’s a low or challenging day …
Bless you Allen for bringing all these points to mind
I love how bluntly honest God is with us and how kindly He corrects us and teaches us in details. Listening is common theme throughout Proverbs and listening & responding to right person is crucial in gaining wisdom. I pray that my ears are open to His wisdom not to the words of the foolish.
God’s councel, direction or advice always comes with the instructions of the consequences of not following them or ignoring them.
Sometimes the sugary,shiny and colourful worldly desires and its pleasures tempting to to ignore the councel and follow the path of darkness even though it’s looking shiny and bright.
Allowing someone wise in my life to direct me to the right path and listening to someone who’s struggling with their choices without judgement is also important. It’s the whole idea of God about His church.
Learning is a process of every day.