January 8

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof,
therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.
For the simple are killed by their turning away,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
Proverbs 1:28-33

This is the final section of Lady Wisdom's condemnation on those who refuse her.

Somewhere in the difficulties and distress the ones who have rejected wisdom realize their mistake. But now their problem is even bigger. For even though they have come to understand how much they need wisdom, it is too late. "They will call" and "seek diligently" for her but she is out of the office. She isn't taking calls. She is unreachable.

We might say something like: "what goes around comes around." Or maybe we would say: "you've made your bed, now you've got to sleep in it." There are fruits that come from following our own way, but it will be an undesirable harvest. Having "despised" reproof and heeding none of her "counsel" the aftermath of foolishness is catastrophic.

Verses 32 and 33 provide a final summary of contrasts. There are those who listen and there are those who turn away. Some are eager to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God while others are contented to a fault with their foolishness. In the end, only some will find the peace of life they so desperately long for. The rest will be lost ("killed" and "destroyed").