Proverbs 1:24

24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

Proverbs 1:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 1:24

Because I have called, and ye refused
This is to be understood not of the internal call of Wisdom, or Christ, which is by the special grace of his Spirit; is according to an eternal purpose, the fruit of everlasting love, peculiar to God's elect, and by a divine power; and is also a call to special blessings of grace, and to eternal glory; and which is always effectual, unchangeable, and irreversible, and can never be refused, rejected, and resisted, so as to become void and of no effect: but of the external call by the word, to the natural duties of religion, and to an attendance on the means of grace; which may be where no election goes before, no sanctification attends, nor salvation follows, ( Matthew 20:16 ) ( 22:14 ) ; and this may be refused and rejected, as it often is; as when men, notwithstanding that call, do not attend on the ministry of the word, or, if they do, it is in a negligent careless way; or, they show an aversion to it, despise, contradict, and blaspheme it, as the Jews did, who were the persons first called to hear it; see ( Matthew 22:2-5 ) ; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
this is a gesture of persons calling to others, as orators and preachers, requiring silence and attention; and when eager and fervent, and importunate in their discourses; it is attributed to Christ, ( Isaiah 65:2 ) ( Romans 10:21 ) ; but, notwithstanding all Wisdom's eagerness, zeal, warmth, and importunity, expressed by words and gestures, it was all disregarded; no attention was given to it, which is here complained of.

Proverbs 1:24 In-Context

22 "How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge?

23 Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you.

24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

25 and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you,