Daily Devotional | Wisdom's Cry

Have you ever heard a street preacher crying out for his hearers to turn to Christ? Or have you yourself stood on a street corner and called people to repentance? If so, chances are good that you’ve seen that person receive mockery, scorn, or simply endure the stone faces of people passing by. Street preachers are seen as abnormal in our culture not only because of their message but also because not many people communicate that way today. It was far more common in the ancient world of Proverbs’ original audience.

In today’s passage we learn that “out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square” (Prov. 1:20). While we may think that wisdom is some secret knowledge given only to the most studious or wealthiest, the Bible tells us that wisdom cries out in public, making her case to everyone who will listen. Wisdom does not hide, and she does not charge for her wares. Wisdom is free to all who seek it, her reward is great, and “whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” (v. 33).

However, wisdom’s invitation includes a stark warning. Those who refuse to listen, who refuse to “accept my advice” (v. 30) and “did not choose to fear the LORD” (v. 29) will experience shame and derision “when calamity overtakes you” (v. 27). We should not wait to respond to wisdom’s call! Wisdom is fulfilled by the arrival of God’s Son, Jesus, who came centuries after Proverbs was written. Though the gospel of Christ crucified is foolishness to the world, it is the “wisdom of God” to those who heed the call to trust in Him (1 Cor. 1:23–25).

>> If you have not responded to wisdom’s call to trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, we urge you to act today while the opportunity is still here! Go to moodybible.org/knowing-christ to learn how.

Pray with Us

Walking with You is a continual process of repentance and surrender. New believers or veterans of the faith, we all thank You, God, for Your infinite forgiveness and grace. Help us grow in wisdom and in faith.

BY Dr. Russell L. Meek

Russell Meek teaches Old Testament and Hebrew at Moody Theological Seminary. He writes a regular column on understanding and applying the Old Testament at Fathom Magazine, and his books include Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World and the co-authored Book-by-Book Guide to Biblical Hebrew Vocabulary. Russ, his wife, and their three sons live in northern Idaho.