Pearls From Proverbs – Chapter Nine
We will now look at Proverbs chapter nine:
Wisdom and Folly are portrayed in this chapter as rival young women, each preparing a feast and inviting people to it. But Wisdom is a responsible woman of character, while Folly is a prostitute serving stolen food. Wisdom appeals to the mind; Folly to the senses. It is easier to excite the senses, but the pleasures of Folly are temporary. By contrast, the satisfaction that Wisdom brings lasts forever.
THE INVITATION OF WISDOM
1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. 7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. 8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."
Proverbs 9:1-12 (NKJV)
Wisdom dwells in a house and not a tent. A house is intended to be much more permanent than a tent. A tent is designed to be a temporary shelter that can be moved from place to place. The house has a foundation which is to be solid. From it seven pillars are constructed. Pillars are strong and sturdy. There is much debate as to what the seven pillars refer to – I know that that seven, (in the Bible) represents completeness or fullness. If you follow God’s wisdom – your life will be full.
A banquet is here prepared. The meat has been slaughtered – the wine is ready. This passage of scripture reminds me of Luke chapter fourteen where Jesus describes a banquet in one of His parables. Many are invited – but few will attend. Jesus taught:
"A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, 'Come, for all things are now ready.' But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.' Still another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.' And the servant said, 'Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.' Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' " Luke 14:16-24 (NKJV)
Many may intend to go to the banquet, but they never make it because they get sidetracked by other activities that seem more important at the time. Don't let anything become more important than your search for God's wisdom.
In verse four we find a special invitation given to those who are simple and lack understanding. Wisdom’s desire is to teach them – instruct them – and provide a full life.
The Message Bibles says:
"Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me! I've prepared a wonderful spread—fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines. Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning." Proverbs 9:4-6 (MSG)
Are you a foolish person or a wise person? You can tell by the way you respond to criticism. Instead of replying with a quick put-down or clever retort when rebuked, listen to what is being said. Learn from your critics; this is the path to wisdom. This is what verses seven and eight are teaching. A foolish person is quick to snap back when criticized – rather than giving an evaluation to the remarks.
Wisdom begins with knowing God. To know God you must not just know the facts about him; you must have a personal relationship with him. Do you really want to be wise? Get to know God better and better. James tells us:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NASB)
To respect God (fear Him) is a great attribute. God is God and we are not. Much of wisdom is learning this simple truth. How often I want to be in control of my own life. I think that I know what is best for me – but that is not the case. The One who made me – who knows me inside and out – knows better than I what is best for me. I need to respect Him. I need to honor Him. I need to give Him control of my life rather than trying to be in control myself – for He is the Holy One. His ways are not my ways – thank God for that. My ways have led me down dead ends roads many a time. Thank God – that when I make a U-turn He is always there. He sits on the porch waiting for me to come home – and He always forgives me when I seek His forgiveness.
THE INVITATION OF FOLLY
13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. 14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, 15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: 16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here"; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 17 "Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant." 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell. Proverbs 9:13-18 (NKJV)
The foolish woman is the direct opposite of the woman of wisdom just as the antichrist is the direct opposite to Christ. Christ leads us to life – the antichrist leads us to death. Here we are told that the foolish woman leads to hell. (verse 18) In Revelation chapter seventeen an evil woman is described who is in direct opposition to God:
“I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.” Revelation 17:3-6 (NKJV)
The foolish woman is extremely foolish and simple, and most grossly ignorant. She knows nothing that is good – that is, spiritually good. She knows not God and is without the fear and love of Him. She has no faith in Him. She leads people astray in her ignorance.
The foolish woman has her house just as the wise woman does (verse 1) but the house of the foolish woman has not stately pillars set on a firm foundation. She has no train of maidens to wait on her – to invite her guests. She sits at the door herself. She entices with her own voice – with her own words. She says:
"Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant." Proverbs 9:17 (NKJV)
In her words we find two lies:
1. Stolen water is sweet
2. Bread eaten in secret is pleasant
This is not living water nor is it the bread of life.
Water that is stolen is obtained by a crime (sin). It has come into possession by the breaking of God’s law – thou shall not steal. How is it that all prohibited unlawful lusts and pleasures are desirable to men? They think that the grass is greener over the fence so they steal that which does not belong to them. They take other men’s possessions and other men’s wives. They try to hide it by doing it in the darkness of night – but it is not kept secret from God. It is not living water and it is not the bread of life.
Proverbs five says:
Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. Proverbs 5:15 (NKJV)
But we like that which is forbidden. We steal. We commit adultery. We think the grass is greener over the fence but in reality the grass is greener over the septic tank. It is not sweet but is a bitter pill to swallow.
False worship, superstition, and idolatry, following the inventions of men is nothing more than spiritual adultery. Yet often we listen to the wisdom of fools. How can one be wise who does not know the wisdom of God? How can one lead us to righteousness if they do not know the King of Righteousness? All paths do not lead to the same destination. I cannot pick up a phone and dial random numbers and expect to be calling home. The phone in my house has one number and if I am off by one digit – I will not be connected to my desired connection.
Private sins – secret lusts – willful disobedience does not lead me to God but is the path to hell.
Something is hypnotic and intoxicating about wickedness. One sin leads to another. Sinful behavior seems more exciting than the Christian life. We are more concerned in the here and now than we are in the hereafter. That is why many people ignore God’s banquet and eat stolen food. But drinking stolen food and water is folly. Don't be deceived – God is not mocked – sin is dangerous and leads to death and hell. Before reaching for forbidden fruit, take a long look at what happens to those who eat it. God sends us warnings for our own good.
