“When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:28-33 NLT
It does not help that just before I read this passage out of Proverbs I watched a news clip about a famous group of “influencers” trashing a 10 million dollar home in Hollywood Hills (I flipped on the tele just for a weather report 🥴). These TikTok/YouTube “stars” make money living like kings off eyeballs, clicks and likes from companies who pay them! They have now grouped together signing deals with Netflix for an even larger audience, and generally wrecking havoc on our social culture.
But, influencers aren’t the point here and neither are their antics. The point is wisdom, personified as God Himself, will only call or warn for so long, then she will let you do what you are determined to do – even to the point of your own demise. Earlier in the chapter Wisdom shouts, cries and calls out to those who are simpletons (fools) and mockers. Here in these verses, she is done trying to convince youthful, boundary-less souls to change their ways. Now, she will not answer, she will remain hidden because they hated common sense knowledge and CHOSE not to fear God. You know that even though God can save a soul, He rarely saves us from the consequences of our sin.
Wisdom warns that the fruit of ignoring her is very bitter and she’ll laugh (vs 26) when we choke on our own selfish schemes. Exasperated, Wisdom says that fools are destroyed by their own complacency. You can run, play your games and lap up a sense of power, even wealth, feeling indestructible and untouchable. However, it won’t last forever and the end of that story, your story, will be a tragedy.
Here’s the good news! Proverbs wasn’t written for the wayward fool. Wisdom calls for the young who are looking for answers, for guidance purpose and direction. Wisdom speaks to the curious, the learner, the lonely.
Wisdom is not really trying to warn the influencers, she’s trying to warn the followers, millions of teens looking for entertainment, but aching to fill an unquenchable void in their lives. There are 2.47 billion zoomers (Genz) in the world and 68 million of them are here in the U.S. This is the population that Wisdom (God) wants to warn and win over.
I had to survive similar situations in the seventies, but it was nowhere near the level of difficulty today. Divorce and deadbeat Dads were just on the rise when I was a teen. Single parenting, blended families, “latch-key,” and all day preschool care were still outliers. Now, “intact” marriages are rare and fractured families are the norm.
Teens are raising themselves or worse leaning on highly addictive social media for guidance. Company’s don’t care about their souls, they are after their MONEY. Children and youth should not be left on their own to learn about life! Teachers and mental health hotlines, whether helpful or not, cannot be the foster parents for America’s children. America needs Wisdom. This generation needs God.
Prayer
Dad,
My heart aches and breaks for the disparity and despair in this next generation that needs You so desperately. I would have never made it without you. THEY will not make it without you. Pour out your Spirit on our zoomers! Lavishly distribute your wisdom among them. Show up in their dreams, whisper to them in their darkest moments. Be THEIR God, their father and mother. They are orphaned without your help.