Competing Calls Series

Competing Calls

Proverbs 8-9

SCRIPTURE READING: Proverbs 9:1-6

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever gone shopping across the border in Mexico? I remember one particular time. I was walking through the “tiendas” (shopping district) in Monterrey, Mexico. On every side “hawkers” were standing at the doors of the shops, trying to lure me away from a competitor and into their shop. I thought one “hawker” had the best line of all. He said, “Hey, senior, come inside my store, We got good junk.” I thought, “I’ll bet that’s the truth!”

Along that same line, Chapter 9 of Proverbs gives us a picture of two women calling out to the people in the streets. In this case, the women are inviting them to come into their houses. Like the hawkers in Monterrey, each woman is calling out an advertisement of what they have to offer.

In Proverbs the Call to Wisdom and the competing Call to Folly represent two competing “world views.” These two “world views” have been calling out to mankind ever since the garden of Eden, and they are still calling today. Both ways claim to be the right way.

· One way appeals to the mind- the way of wisdom. The other way appeals to the senses – the way of folly.

· One way believes in TRUTH – God’s Truth; the other way believes that everyone should create their own truth, whatever that may be.

· One way believes that God’s laws are the path of life; the other way believes God’s laws are harsh and old-fashioned and pointless.

Proverbs 8:1-3 describes the call of wisdom: Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud… This lady is giving THE CALL OF THE WISE.

1. The Call of the Wise Proverbs 9:1-6

Look in Proverbs 9:1-6 and notice some telling details about this invitation from the Woman of Wisdom:

· She invites you into a strong house supported by 7 pillars. The foundation of this house is found in Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

It’s more popular now days to dwell on the LOVE of God than the FEAR of God. But a proper fear is an appropriate response to the Judge of the Universe. Hebrews 4:13 says Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Have you ever started to do something you knew was wrong --- something where no one would know? But then you stopped and changed your mind because you felt someone looking over your shoulder … and you knew that someone was God… That’s the value of proper fear of the LORD.

· She has taken the time and trouble to prepare a banquet. In other words, she’s ready for company. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.” The meal is prepared and waiting on the table.

· She has sent out her maids to invite people because she doesn’t want anyone to miss the invitation. After all, it’s a matter of life and death.

And wisdom is still a matter of life and death. That’s why we don’t ever want to have a “one-man-show” in the church. . In II Timothy 2:2 Paul instructs the young preacher, Timothy: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”

Godly wisdom needs to be preached from our pulpit. Wisdom is taught in our Bible Classes and Pueblo groups. But that’s not enough. If everyone is going to have a chance to hear the call of God, all of us need to echo the call to wisdom in our daily lives. Then the people you come in contact with … at work or school or even at the grocery store … can hear the call. God’s wisdom is not a secret to be hoarded. Wisdom is meant to be shared with anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere.

Why is it so important for us to take the CALL OF THE WISE outside the church walls? Because another invitation is going out into the streets every day. We’ll call it the CALL OF THE WILD.

2. The Call of the Wild Proverbs 9:13-19

Look at the description of the Woman of Folly: 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. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "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 the grave. Proverbs 9:13-18