Blog - Proverbs 1:29

If you like this blog, then you will like Get Wisdom, Get Understanding which is Pastor Wagner's commentary on Proverbs chapter 1 which is available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle. Find out more here. For all the blogs in this series, click here: Proverbs Commentary. Proverbs 1:29 "For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:" (Pro 1:29)

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That God "might[] be justified in [his] sayings, and might[] overcome when [he is] judged" (Rom 3:4) for destroying those who reject His counsel, the LORD reminds the foolish why calamity has befallen them (Pro 1:26-27) and He has stopped calling and listening (Pro 1:28) and started laughing (Pro 1:26): because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD. Having pleaded with them with a stretched out hand asking how long they would hate knowledge (Pro 1:22), only for them to continue headstrong in their folly, and to finally turn and call upon Him simply because anguish had taken them; the LORD now gives an answer to their cries which can be summarized by "I told you so," simply reiterating their sinful attitude which caused their judgment. In his affliction, man often forgets the foolish decisions which put him in that dreadful condition, but the LORD doesn't forget and is quick to remind him when he begins to complain. Instead of turning his attention inward and examining himself to search for possible causes of the judgment under which he suffers, too often a man instead turns his attention heavenward and blames God for letting it happen.

Pro 19:3 - The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Wisdom goes on to give the underlying cause of these fools' hatred of knowledge: they did not choose the fear of the LORD. In that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" (Pro 1:7), it is little wonder that they hated knowledge, having not the prerequisite for it. The LORD here reveals that the fear of the LORD is a choice for a child of God, not an inalienable attribute. Reprobates do not have the spiritual capability to fear the LORD (Rom 3:18); but such is not the case with the regenerate who have the ability to do so through the new birth, but nevertheless can choose to fear not the LORD by not departing from evil (Pro 16:6). But with choice comes culpability; those who do not choose the fear of the LORD inevitably choose the desolation which will invariably result.

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