“Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel, and did not want my reproof…” (Proverbs 1:24-33, NASB)

“I told you so,” said my wife. She tried to warn me, and even tried to physically hold me back. It was too late. My body was already in motion, trying to lift the heavy furniture into the moving truck. My leg gave out, and I fell with the furniture on top of me. As I lay in bed for a couple of days, she lay on me. “I told you not to do it. I told you so.” I hated hearing those words, but I deserved it. As I read today’s passage, I can feel God saying those words to those who refused His wisdom. It says,

“Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; and you neglected all my counsel, and did not want my reproof; I will even laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, when your dread comes like a storm, and your calamity comes on like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come on you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they shall not find me, because they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, and be satiated with their own devices. For the waywardness of the naive shall kill them, and the complacency of fools shall destroy them. But he who listens to me shall live securely, and shall be at ease from the dread of evil.”

Solomon wrote as if he were wisdom itself, expressing disappointment with those who ignored knowledge. As if shaking his head, he said he would “laugh” at their downfall, and “mock” at their distress. Such a posture goes beyond just saying, “I told you so.” It appears as if Solomon is taking pleasure in their calamity because it proved him right. This is how humans feel when people ignore or reject their advice, but not so with God. God’s commandments offer wisdom to those who follow them. On the other hand, when they are not heeded, they come back to haunt them. Don’t confuse consequences with God abandoning you. I do not believe for one second that God sits above, pointing fingers at us, laughing and mocking us, saying, “I told you so.” God is much gentler, merciful, and sympathetic towards us sinners. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

Often, when we ignore God and commit sin, we feel guilty and sense reproach coming at us from His laws. Even if God were saying, “I told you so,” it is coming from a heart of compassion and correction. It is to remind us of what He told us, so that we will get back to the right path. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” Solomon even concludes this chapter with the words, “But he who listens to me shall live securely, and shall be at ease from the dread of evil.” When my wife said, “I told you so,” I didn’t interpret it as pride or enjoyment at my mistake. Instead, I saw it as her expressing concern for me and encouraging me to heed her advice in the future. I believe this is also the heart of God. Next time, when you feel God’s Spirit gently saying, “I told you so,” don’t view it as criticism. Instead, accept it as a caring reminder to pay attention to God and rest in His peace and safety.

• Why do you think Solomon spoke harshly to those who ignored or rejected wisdom?
• How do you typically react to correction: defensiveness, excuses, discouragement, or humble repentance?