Read Proverbs 9
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
9 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Go Deeper
We have met the characters of Wisdom and Folly (aka “the adulterous woman”) already in Proverbs 1-8, and Proverbs 9 brings them together in one chapter to give us a concise summary so we may recognize their call in our lives. We’ll take a look at the differences in these characters, and then dive into how that applies to our lives.
First, we see that wisdom values preparation; folly finds convenience. Wisdom prepares a place for those who are inexperienced, providing shelter and nourishment, investing in others. Folly, on the other hand, invests no effort, choosing to sit on her front porch and speak to those who happen by her way.
Next, we see that wisdom instructs; folly distracts. Wisdom broadcasts the call to come so that everyone can hear the invitation. She recognizes the cacophony of messages in this world and clearly tells all to come to her for help. Folly, meanwhile, distracts passers-by from their efforts, keeping them from their purpose.
Finally, wisdom offers meaning, but folly offers emptiness. Wisdom invites everyone to a safe place to learn truth and to live a meaningful life. Folly has nothing to offer but empty words and bad ideas that lead to death.
So we come to the end of this chapter with a good overview of the two paths we can choose. We can choose the path of Wisdom–an open invitation to come to a place intentionally prepared to meet all our needs and offering an abundant life. Or we can choose the path of Folly–a convenient option to the path of least resistance offering lies and emptiness.
In our daily lives, this choice shows up in how we choose to spend our time, talents, and treasures. It may look like: the choice between doing what is right ethically or doing what is easy economically. It could be the difference between diving into God’s Word each morning or going back to sleep. Maybe it’s investing in a community need or buying something we don’t need. Or perhaps for you it’s arguing over worldly things instead of learning about Godly things.
The choice between wisdom and folly started in the Garden of Eden and continues today. Jesus summarizes this situation in John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Wisdom through God offers clarity to the confusion in this crazy broken world. We are called to refuse and avoid the convenience, distraction, and emptiness of folly that leads to confusion and emptiness. Instead, God calls us to wisdom–to value preparation, instruction, and truth guiding us to the meaningful life He designed for us.
Questions
- Folly calls each of us at different times in different ways. Which tactic of Folly listed above tempts you the most?
- Which aspect of Wisdom can help you overcome Folly’s temptation?
- What is one choice you have to make between wisdom and folly this week?
By the Way
Check out what James (the half brother of Jesus) has to say about the topic of wisdom in James 3:13-18:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
