The Call Of Wisdom

THE CALL OF WISDOM.

Proverbs 9:1-6.

Even before she invited us, Lady Wisdom “built her house” (Proverbs 9:1). The hewing out of Lady Wisdom’s “seven pillars” speaks of completeness (unlike the ‘folly’ in Edinburgh which was never completed), spaciousness, and endurance. ‘I go to prepare a place for you,’ says Jesus, ‘that where I am there you may be also’ (John 14:2-3).

Throughout the Book of Proverbs, the personification of Lady Wisdom stands in stark contrast to that of Dame Folly. In this passage, Lady Wisdom invites us to a banquet. Her having “slaughtered her meat and mixed her wine” is synonymous with her having “prepared/ furnished/ spread her table” (Proverbs 9:2; cf. Psalm 23:5).

It is like when the men/ angels stopped by Abraham’s tent on the way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham detained them, ordered that water be brought to wash their feet, and invited them to rest under the tree. Then he went indoors to make use of Sarah’s skills in the kitchen and ran himself (an old man!) to the herd to choose out a good calf and gave it to a young man to prepare it. And Abraham stood by his guests while they ate (Genesis 18:1-8).

This is not the only place where God offers hospitality. It is illustrated in the extravagant way that the father in Jesus’ parable receives back the Prodigal Son, offering a feast in his honour (Luke 15:22-24) - even running out to meet the younger man (Luke 15:20)!

And do you remember when Israel in her rebellion asked, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’ (Psalm 78:19)? How He rained manna (Psalm 78:23) and quail (Psalm 78:27) upon them? Why do we ever question God’s provision when He has kept us hitherto?

God’s hospitality is seen in the way that He had the ravens feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:6). And in the provision of plenty from little to feed a hundred men in Elisha’s days (2 Kings 4:42-44). This is replicated in Jesus’ multiplying of the loaves and fishes to feed both the 5000 and the 4000 respectively, on two separate occasions.

Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall not thirst’ (John 6:35). ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink’ (John 7:37). Thus, we receive the ‘living water’ (John 4:10).

Lady Wisdom has sent out her maidens, and summons “the simple”: i.e. (literally) ‘those lacking heart’ (Proverbs 9:3-4; cf. Matthew 22:9). This summons echoes others made in the earlier chapters of the Book (e.g. Proverbs 8:5).

“Come, eat of my bread and drink of my wine,” she cries (Proverbs 9:5). This is like the call of the Gospel in Isaiah 55:1-2, where the feast offered is ‘without price’ to those invited. It also reminds us of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-28).

Ultimately, the true personification of Wisdom is Jesus Himself (1 Corinthians 1:30). Jesus says, ‘Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28).

Of Jesus it was said that ‘the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding…’ (Isaiah 11:2). Jesus grew in wisdom (Luke 2:40; Luke 2:52), taught with wisdom (Matthew 13:54), and worked through wisdom (Mark 6:2). Jesus manfully rose to the defence of the metaphor which I have called Lady Wisdom (Luke 7:35) - which was, in a sense, another way of defending Himself.

It was the wisdom of God that set the Cross at the centre of the plan of salvation. This was foolishness to the world, but not to those who are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:21). The world may think us strange to embrace this strange teaching – but it is our wisdom to do so.

“Leave behind your foolish companions” is the true meaning of Proverbs 9:6. It is inevitable that - when we follow the call of the gospel - it is not only foolishness which we must abandon, but foolish people (cf. Proverbs 13:20; 2 Corinthians 6:17). This is what it means to walk in the way of life.