“For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Proverbs 1:32-33

Listening seems to be at the very heart of the wisdom that Proverbs is seeking to inculcate. ‘Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; at noisy street corners she cries out’ (vv. 20, 21a). Here, Wisdom is personified as a woman of high standing. The question is, will anyone listen? Will anyone notice her voice, give her the time of day, and pay attention to her?

Wisdom is not reserved for a special group with a secret code or special knowledge. It can be found in ordinary, everyday, public places, and is available to all at the price of opening our ears and paying attention: ‘whoever listens to me’, says Wisdom, ‘will live’ (v. 33).

CLOSING PRAYER

Forgive me, Father, when I am too busy, too distracted, or even too willful to listen to you. Give me a heart that is open to hearing all that you say to me.

(Edited from Encounter with God)