Matthew Henry Commentary Proverbs 1:20-33

"Wisdom crieth aloud in the street; She uttereth her voice in the broad places; She crieth in the chief place of concourse; At the entrance of the gates, In the city, she uttereth her words: How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded; But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof: I also will laugh in [the day of] your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as a storm, And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish come upon you. Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of Jehovah: They would none of my counsel; They despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices. For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, And shall be quiet without fear of evil." — Proverbs 1:20-33 (ASV)

Solomon, having shown how dangerous it is to listen to the temptations of Satan, here declares how dangerous it is not to listen to the calls of God. Christ himself is Wisdom, is Wisdoms. Three types of persons are here called by Him:

1. Simple ones. Sinners are fond of their simple notions of good and evil, their simple prejudices against the ways of God, and flatter themselves in their wickedness.
2. Scorners. Proud, jovial people, who make a jest of everything. Scoffers at religion, who run down everything sacred and serious.
3. Fools. Those are the worst of fools who hate to be taught and have a rooted dislike for serious godliness.

The precept is plain: Turn you at my reproof. We do not make a right use of reproofs if we do not turn from evil to that which is good. The promises are very encouraging. People cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you.

Special grace is necessary for sincere conversion. But that grace will never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with His reproofs, surely should have the attention of everyone. It may well be asked: How long do people intend to continue on such a perilous path, considering the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ?

Now sinners live at ease and defy sorrow; but their calamity will come. Now God is ready to hear their prayers; but then they will cry in vain. Are we still despisers of wisdom? Let us listen diligently and obey the Lord Jesus, that we may enjoy peace of conscience and confidence in God; be free from evil, in life, in death, and forever.