Solomon relates to his audience of simple ones, scorners, and fools – of God’s Action of Judgment upon them for rejecting and despising His Wisdom.

Hebrews 10:29-31 is a commentary on the reason for God’s Judgment on the simple, the scorners, and the fools. Matthew 24, Luke 21, and 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 are commentaries on the extent of God’s Judgment upon His People who are rebellious to truth and reject truth.

However, note the immediate context in Proverbs 1:26-32:

The What

1) “I also will laugh at your calamity (or at your great distress or misfortune)” (Proverbs 1:26a).

Wisdom said He would “laugh” at their calamity. The word “laugh” here is defined in Psalm 2:4; not meaning a mockery, but a decree of God. God is a God of Purpose. This means His laugh is the execution of His Wrath upon their rebellion, according to His Purpose, or His Appointments.

2) “I will mock when your fear cometh;” (Proverbs 1:26b).

Again, God is not a God of emotions; but of Eternal Decree. God doesn’t not mock or make fun of individuals; but God does judge. And fear is the pre-curser of His Judgment. (See Luke 21:26.)

3) “When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you” (Proverbs 1:27).

Solomon used the words “desolation… destruction… distress… anguish” (or loneliness, sadness, confusion, barrenness, devastation, ruin, suffering of body and mind, trouble, affliction, agony, anguish, misery, pain, torment, tribulation) to describe the condition of the rebellious ones as their judgment approaches and comes to them. Their judgment would come “as a whirlwind” (without notice).

4) “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me” (Proverbs 1:28).

These statements of Jerusalem are statements of fact and finality. There is no mercy in these words – but final judgment upon the ones rebellious to truth. That is, the simple ones who love simplicity; the scorners who delight in their scorning; the fools who hate knowledge – these have crossed the line of no return of God’s Mercy.

It would do us of the 21st Century to understand this fact of God. Therefore, we should take heed to Hebrews 10:29-31:

“Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29)

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30)

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)

The Why

1) “For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 1:29).

This is not in reference to their initial conversion to Christ – but to those who knew God (the Jews especially), but refused and rejected truth. (Again refer to Hebrews 10:29-31, printed above; also see Job 21:14.)

2) “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof” (Proverbs 1:30).

Again, this is showing the hardness of the hearts of the simple, the scorners, and the fools toward the truth.

The Results

First, the Result of the Fool:

1) “Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:31).

That is:

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” (Job 4:8)

It is the law of sowing and reaping:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:8)

Solomon is speaking of a physical (or temporal) reaping of the rebellious, as happened to Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. (See Numbers 16:1-34; also Jude 11; 2 Peter 2:15.)

2) “For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (Proverbs 1:32).

Solomon relates that these will suffer an irreversible Judgment of God. They will die off the earth for their rebellion. (See Matthew 12:31-32.)

Second, the Result of the Wise (Son):

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33).

Contrary to the result of the simple, the scorners, and the fools – Solomon presents the result of the ones who surrender, submit, obey, and endure in Wisdom’s Message. This is a temporal blessing of this life on earth:

1) “Shall dwell safely” – That is, God will guard and protect these. There will be a wall of fire of protection around them; and the enemy cannot have them. (See Job’s story.)

2) “And shall be quiet from fear of evil” – That is, they will have rest and peace, even as they dwell among and in the present evil world of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, and the pride of life.

God promised to protect and provide for the faithful ones of God:

a) Those that know wisdom and instruction;
b) Those that perceive the words of understanding;
c) Those that receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and equity;
d) Those who are counted as “wise” men;

They will hear and will increase in learning and shall attain unto wise counsels. They will understand a proverb, even a dark saying, and will have the interpretation thereof.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

Which type are you? Are you a wise son of God; or are you a simple one, a scorner, a fool, who despises wisdom and instruction?

When you answer this question, then you will understand your present circumstances and condition. It really is no mystery. It is very simple. You either hear and perceive and receive and walk in Truth; or you hear, but rebel, and reject Truth.

The problem is not God – it is you, if you are a simple one, a scorner, and a fool.