“Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.”
These two verses are part of a longer poetic wise saying (:22-33) from God’s Wisdom, personified as a lady (:20-21). While applicable for us all, it’s particularly addressed to the “simple…mockers…and fools (:22).
This entire poem is a series of four warnings from God’s Wisdom (see also :26-27; 30-31; 32-33). She uses strong words to communicate honestly and frankly the state of things between us and her!
Our verses are the second of those four warnings. Based on our past bad choices (:22) and our negative responses to her previous efforts to help us make changes (:23-25), she’s going to let us “stew in our own juices” as my grandma used to say.
In recovery we call it “tough love” as opposed to “enabling.” When another covers for us and we don’t have to face the consequences of our bad choices, that’s enabling – and that’s not how God’s Wisdom conducts business!
Instead, if we don’t want to listen and learn – we don’t have to! But we will have to deal with the alternative.
Not only do we have to live with the results of our bad choices but, “since we hated knowledge and did not chose the fear of the LORD” we’ll have to face the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance, too.
So, we’ll “call”…but God’s Wisdom “will not answer.” We’re ready to “look for her…but we will not find her” – she’s nowhere to be found.
Serious business, messing around with God. But it doesn’t have to be a permanent situation. Once I understand what’s happening and am ready to be and do different, everything can change.
Otherwise, we’ll have you go to the next set of warnings (:30-31)!