Who Are You Going to Answer (May 15)

So, the other day, I read a devotional on this topic and thought it was something that we all need to hear and think about.

Proverbs 9:4

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Proverbs 9:16

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

If you read through the book of Proverbs, you will not only find a lot of passages about wisdom, but you will also find many parts where wisdom takes on a voice, calling the reader to seek that which is Godly and to turn away from folly. But check out the two calls that I listed above. They are the same call. One of them is wisdom calling out to those that are seeking wisdom, to come in and feast on wisdom's richness, forsaking the foolish ways. But the other, which sounds pretty much the same, is the voice of folly. We talk a lot about the call of God and how you should answer His call and obey His voice. “God is calling you,” we always say. All through Proverbs we hear the voice of Wisdom, calling us to walk in the way of understanding, fearing the Lord, and obeying His commands. But how often do we talk about that same call that comes with a different voice? How often do we consider that call of folly seems to always be echoing the call of wisdom?

“You want wisdom and understanding?” she says, “Come in here.” But she is a temptress, calling all passers-by to come in to her secret place. She doesn't have wisdom and understanding to offer; she has only confusion and distraction. It reminds me of the woman cautioned against in Proverbs 2.

Proverbs 2:10-22

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: 16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; 17 Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. 18 For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. 19 None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. 20 That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. 22 But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

So—everyday you will probably hear the calls from both wisdom and folly. Which voice are you going to answer?