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They Could Have Found the Knowledge of God

Proverbs 1:29-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

²⁹Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of Jehovah,
³⁰they would not accept my counsel
and despised all my reproof,

Verses 29 and 30 are like verses 24-25, and they give us the reason for verse 28, explaining why wisdom will not answer when the foolish ones finally decide to accept the message and even though the foolish diligently search, wisdom will not be found. Yes, Verses 29 and 30 explain why the foolish, rebellious, defiant ones will now suffer the consequences for their decision to reject the help that Jehovah has continuously offered them. As we learned early on, “the fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7), and these fools “did not choose the fear of Jehovah.” If they had wisely chosen ‘understand the fear of Jehovah, they would have found the knowledge of God.’ (2:5) It is this rebellious, defiant attitude that moves these ones to ‘despise God’s reproof.’ If a fool refuses wisdom, it is, in essence, refusing the fear of Jehovah. (1:29) Thus, he or she must suffer the consequences of their decisions.

Lindsay Wilson writes, “As in verse 22c, they (the fools) hated knowledge, which has the force of rejecting a relationship with wisdom or God. Their hate or rejection of wisdom clearly has implications for their relationship with God, for the parallel expression is that they did not choose the fear of the Lord. By the time the simple have become self-sufficient fools, it is clear that they have failed to build on the foundation of respecting God as set out in 1:7. Everyday wisdom must be based on a relationship with God. The recurrence of fear of the Lord language draws attention to the contrast in this opening chapter between the path of folly (1:8–19) and the way of wisdom (1:20–33). It is clear from verse 30 that the persistent dismissal of wisdom’s advice and correction (mentioned in the earlier stage or example of the simple in v. 25) also characterizes the fool. This unwillingness to be shaped by wisdom is the natural (or perhaps unnatural) outcome of ignoring or rejecting God.”[1] Dave Bland writes, “Wisdom takes to the street to invite all who would listen to come to her classroom. Wisdom does not take a passive role; she is in the thick of the action in the public square. In this context Wisdom is not contemplative; one does not find her in solitude but in the hustle and bustle of life, in the public arena. This is ironic given that women were excluded from public life in the gate (cf. Prov 31:23, where the woman’s husband is in the city gates). Normally, a woman seen in the street was looking for men, going for water, or working (1 Sam 9:11–14). In this instance Woman Wisdom, who is a distinguished and reputable woman, is roaming the streets looking for those open to instruction.”[2]

Since true wisdom begins with the fear of Jehovah God (Ps 111:10; Prov. 9:10), this preferred superior wisdom goes beyond common wisdom and involves holding to high standards, exhibiting righteousness and uprightness, as well as submitting to and following the truth. (Prov. 1:2, 3, 20-22; 2:2-11; 6:6; 8:1, 5-12) Human wisdom is a product of Godly wisdom in that we are made in the image of God, and even in our human imperfection, we still reflect a measure of that image. Still, human wisdom does not measure up to that superior wisdom.

[1] Lindsay Wilson, Proverbs: An Introduction and Commentary, ed. David G. Firth, vol. 17, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2017), 70–71.

[2] Dave Bland, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Song of Songs, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 2002), 63.