Proverbs 1:21

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about the voice of wisdom:

Proverbs 1:21 (ESV)

at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;

at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

As one of the commentators on this proverb states, the young man in the story of chapter one hears the voice of two people.  One is the tempter “folly” and the other “wisdom.”  This theme is the key to the book of Proverbs.  The voice of Folly crying out and seeking the young man to lead him into false enjoyment and a future of assured death.   The other voice is the voice of Wisdom.  She cries out, as well.  She shouts, in fact.  Here we see she shouts above the noise of Folly and the cries of the world.    She can be heard over the noise of this world.  We may not think that the world even hears Wisdom, but she is heard.   When Jesus was walking the earth, multitudes came to hear Him.    Today, God's Word goes out via pulpits, airwaves and internet.   The earth doesn't respond but it DOES here.   The "entrance of the gates" is Solomon telling us that Wisdom is heard at the key place where men meet.  The “entrance of the gates” was the “Wall Street” of Solomon’s day.  It was were business was done.   God is assuring that the world will hear the message of Wisdom, even if they don't respond; even if they are “busy” doing their “business.” No one will be able to claim, "I didn't hear the message."   God makes sure the voice of Wisdom is heard.   The young, naive men don't always respond, but they will hear.   The world might beat its drums loud and long.   But, God still allows the small, still voice of His Wisdom to be heard over the beat.  If we want to make great decisions about our life ... even in the midst of the “busy” noise of the “business” of life, we will have to hear and respond to God’s Wisdom, heard in the midst of Folly and all her friends at the city gate.