Proverbs 18:1

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 those who isolate themselves: 

Proverbs 18:1 (ESV)

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;

he breaks out against all sound judgment.

This proverb is usually interpreted in two different ideas.   They seem to be standing in contrast to one another as one way to interpret it is positive and the other is negative.   The context seems, however, to indicate that a person who avoids wisdom and who struggles or "quarrels" against it, is someone who has withdrawn from that wisdom and is in the process of seeking out "his own desires."  There are some who would interpret the verse as being a positive step to withdraw from worldly wisdom and seeking their own way in life for the pursuit of God.   But, that doesn't fit the context of Proverbs or of the Wisdom taught in Proverbs.   Solomon teaches that "personal pursuit" in Proverbs is an indication of folly not wisdom.   In this proverb we see the downfall of those who may withdraw to seek their own ways - they stand in contrast and in a quarrel with sound wisdom.

Later Solomon gives additional insight in regard to those who don’t withdraw from sound wisdom:

Proverbs 18:15

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Another way to consider this proverb is, as follows:  Have you ever met someone who was "standoffish?"   There are people in this world who are less sociable than others.   Gregarious behavior in our society is overrated.   We tend to think interaction is king and we should ALL worship at its feet.    However, there are those who are not social and would rather withdraw, at times, like a turtle.  That is not a "wrong" way to approach life and those who get energy from private, alone time, should not be  inferred in our understanding of the above proverb.   God has made some people outward in regard to how they get energy and others private.  Both are a creation of God.   Paul seems more extrovert, Moses more introverted.    Both are God's humble servants.  In the above proverb, however, we are not talking about extroversion or introversion.  Solomon is describing for us someone who withdraws from sound wisdom and seeks their own way of doing things.   Sound wisdom is available on the open square, as we have read in Proverbs 8 and 9.    Those who want it, only have to seek it (James 1).    But, those who seek their own desires are only quarreling against sound wisdom.   We read about them in Proverbs 1:22-27.   They refused wisdom. They actually scoffed at it.   We read in that passage God, in their cases, will have the last laugh.   In the above proverb we see that one who withdraws from those who can give them wisdom creates a quarrel they can't win.   If wisdom is offered, take it in.  God gives it liberally to those who want it.