(some audio has been deleted but the majority of each session is available)

God answers prayer.

He saves sinners who call on his name.

We believe wholeheartedly in the free offer of the gospel: anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

So do we have a contradiction to that in Prov. 1:28?

Then they will call on me and I will not answer;

They will seek me diligently but they will not find me.

Who are the main characters here?  They and me.

Me is Lady Wisdom.

They are people who apparently are so ruined by sin that even their cries and search for salvation (wrongly motivated, pointless, inauthentic, insincere, past the deadline) are unanswered.

We need to get to know the main parties, and the context in which this threat is given.

A. Lady Wisdom

She is the hero of Proverbs. Wisdom is personified. She pre-figures Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, Col.2:3, and through whom God calls sinners to himself.

Everyone needs her. Only the wise find her.

The fool needs to forsake his folly and live.

The youth need parenting and experience.

The naïve need instruction and wisdom.

She is contrasted with Dame Folly, probably a personification of Satan.

They are both calling to the weary in Prov.9:

Dame Folly’s followers are fools. They despise the fear of the Lord, trust themselves, hate instruction, have to find out for themselves, etc. They are first detailed in Prov.1:8-11

They are crying out for folks to do evil with them. Examine their plea:

v.11f  power, thrill, excitement, adventure (without thinking)

v.13  possessions

v.14 family, belonging

What are they like?

v.16 quick, eager to sin (addictedv)

v. 17 foolish (self-destructive, unlike birds!)

v.19  greedy for unjust gain, self-destruction

B. The call of Lady wisdom

1) Two calls of God:

General (creation, conscience)

Specific, efficacious

How?  Aloud, raises voice

Where? Street, markets, head of streets, entrance to city (everywhere!)

What? An accusatory, rhetorical question: How long will you…

Strikes at the heart: you love, desire, hate.

Scoffing:

Invitation: If you turn to my reproof

Promise: I will pour out my spirit, will make my words known to you.

Benefit (implied): finds the path of life! Be saved from yourself, evildoers.

2) Threat:

Because you:

Refused to listen; 24a

No one heeded my stretched out hand 24b

Ignored all my counsel 25a

Would have none of my reproof  25b

I will:

Laugh at your calamity 26a

Mock when terror strikes you 26b-27

Result:

They will call, I will not answer   28

They will seek diligently but will not find me

Reasons:

They hated knowledge and did not choose fear of Lord 29

Would have none of my counsel, despised all my reproof 30

Self-inflicted moral consequences: (reap what you sow)

Eat the fruit of their own way 31

Have their fill of their own devices (judicial hardening)

Killed by their turning away  32

Complacency of fools destroys them

Delightful offer of righteousness, forfeited by foolishness:

Will dwell secure  33

Will be at ease, without dread of disaster

C. Conclusion

Today is the day of salvation! No guarantee for tomorrow.

Are there deathbed conversions? Yes!    Should you bank on one?  No!

Who needs to know?

If someone is on their deathbed, Christ calls out to save.

If someone today refuses the call, offer no promise of it on their deathbed.

Of course if you sense someone is in process, work with them!