In The Word
Read Proverbs 9
Wisdom’s Invitation
9 Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table;
3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the tops of the heights of the city:
4 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks understanding she says,
5 “Come, eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 “Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding.”
7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his 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 alone will bear it.
13 The woman of folly is boisterous,
She is naive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high places of the city,
15 Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
16 “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
And to him who lacks understanding she says,
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 Sheol.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Solomon used the illustration of two women, Wisdom and Folly, to describe the two spiritual forces that desire to have us. Both Wisdom and Folly cry out in the public places to people who are going about their daily lives in the hopes that they will listen. However, they are rivals with completely opposite intentions. God’s Wisdom has the good objective to save the life of her listeners and bless them with a good and abundant life full of love, peace, joy, and protection.
On the other side, the enemy’s Folly, which could also be translated to foolishness or stupidity, desires to rob the lives of all those who enter her doorway. But she disguises her trap well by making it look appealing and pleasurable. Those who have not gained godly wisdom and self-control are easily tricked and walk unaware of the pain and bondage that will follow.
Each day has with it many choices to either go down the path of Wisdom or Folly. And each choice can have significant, lasting consequences on your life, family, body, finances, relationships, and job. It only takes one wise choice to save you. Likewise, merely one foolish choice can destroy you and everything you hold dear. The lesson of this proverb is clear: choose only Wisdom and wholly reject Folly, there is no middle ground. As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Which voice will you choose to follow, Wisdom or Foolishness? Your decision will determine your path.