Who Will Listen to the Voice of Wisdom?

Are sinners actually aware that their course is disastrous?  Have they been warned of the outcome of their ways?  Ignorance is no excuse, for a very pointed message is proclaimed in public places.

Solomon declares:  "True wisdom itself keeps crying aloud in the very street. In the public squares it keeps giving forth its voice.  At the upper end of the noisy streets it calls out.  At the entrances of the gates into the city it says its own sayings."  (Proverbs 1:20, 21)  In a loud and clear voice, wisdom is crying out in public places for all to hear.  In ancient Israel, the older men gave wise counsel  and rendered judicial decisions at the city gates.  For us, Jehovah has caused true wisdom to be recorded in  his Word, the Bible, which is widely available.  And his servants today are busy publicly declaring its message everywhere.  God indeed has wisdom proclaimed before all.  

What does true wisdom say?  This:  "How long will you inexperienced ones keep loving inexperience, and how long must you ridiculers desire for yourselves outright ridicule . . .?  I have called out but you keep; refusing, I have stretched out my hand but there is no one paying attention."  Foolish ones give no heed to the voice of wisdom.  Consequently, "they will eat from the fruitage of their way."  Their own 'renegading and easygoingness will destroy them.' -Proverbs 1:22-32.

What, though, of the one who has taken the time to listen to the voice of wisdom?  "He will reside in security and be undisturbed from dread of calamity."  (Proverbs 1:33)  May you be among those who gain wisdom and accept discipline by paying attention to the Biblical proverbs.

Next time: DOES JEHOVAH ASK TOO MUCH OF US?

The Watchtower, 1999