Proverbs 9

PROVERBS 9

"Wisdom has built her house;
She has hewn out its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
She has also set her table.
She has sent out her maids,
And she calls from the highest point of the city.

Let all who are simple come in here!"
She says to those who lack judgment.
’Come, eat my food
And drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways and you will live;
Walk in the way of understanding.’"
(vs 1-6)

This Proverb actually reminds me of the oft portrayed person with the little angel on one shoulder, and the little devil on the other. On one side we have Wisdom calling to us, inviting us to eat of the Bread of Life, to partake of the body and blood of Christ, that we may live, and walk in the way of understanding. The Lord beckons us -

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live."- Isaiah 55:1-3

Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:48). That which Jesus gives us to drink fills us up with Eternal Life (John 4:14). The wisdom of God brings understanding about this wonderful Truth. Oh, how great the rewards for listening to His wisdom, and walking in His ways.

"Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life in yourselves. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." - John 6:53-56


On the other side we have Folly, or Stupidity (as Rotherham translates)

"The woman Folly is loud;
she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat at the highest point of the city,
Calling out to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way."
(vs 13-15)

Notice the call of Folly is identical to the call of Wisdom -
"’Let all who are simple come in here!’
she says to those who lack judgment."
(vs 16, same as vs 4)

But whereas to answer the call of Wisdom leads to Life, to answer the call of Folly leads to death.

"Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!"
But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol."
(vs 17-18)

Folly seeks to ensnare us us, tempting us with those things which God has condemned, calling that which is evil - good, sweet, and delicious. Following God’s Wisdom will lead us into His Kingdom. Choosing to partake of Folly’s food and drink will ban us from His Kingdom (1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21)


When we feel ourselves being pulled in opposite directions, may we enquire of the Lord which path to walk. When the temptations come, let us know that we always have a choice. May we follow the way of Wisdom, and turn from the way of Stupidity.

God’s wisdom and understanding to us all,

Michael


The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
(vs 10)