Proverbs 1:23: Wisdom shouts—TURN!

Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Proverbs 1:23 (NKJV)

Turn: turn back, return

Rebuke: reproof, chiding, scolding

Surely: certainly

Pour out: as a well or issue forth

Spirit: as endowing men with various gifts—wisdom, understanding

Words: as the sum of that which is spoken

known: be instructed

Proverbs 1:20-22, Wisdom is SHOUTING to get our attention. This is one more plea, to listen and follow after Wisdom. 

VERB: TURN. Take action and not only hear what is being said, but take further action and turn around! 

We all have seen it when a toddler is about do to something wrong. He looks at the parent with a sheepish grin and slowly begins to do the act. The Parent says, very strongly, "NO". But the toddler continues with the action in defiance of the greater wisdom. Then the toddler has to deal with the consequences of disobedience. 

Sadly, this toddler response is too often true of adults. We fully know that the action, attitude, we are about to do is in direct opposition to God. We may hesitate for a moment, then we go right ahead and sin. 

Wisdom tells us "NO", and is willing to instruct us and teach us. But, too often we show a sheepish grin and in defiance — ignore the sound advice. 

Why do we ignore Wisdom? Why do we, knowing that there are consequences to sinful actions, continue to choose sin? Why do we turn a deaf hear to instruction and not accept the gift of wisdom and understanding? 

The answer to each of those questions is the same. We do not have a reverence for God. We do not fear God. We do not respect God. For when there is a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), one will choose to obey God—simply out of respect and love for Him. 

As Wisdom shouts and asks for my response to TURN—will I listen or will I ignore Wisdom and continue on the path of destruction? That is a daily, and sometimes multiple times in a day, question to ask one's self.