I love the book of Proverbs, because in so many ways they resemble the teachings of Jesus as he walked with the Disciples. It makes sense though, because Christ is Wisdom personified in the flesh of Jesus.
Now as you read today's proverb, it's beneficial to understand why Solomon was led by God to refer to wisdom and folly as women. This is because the proverb is directed towards his son. In order for the boy to understand the difference between wisdom and folly, the best way was to bring it down to a level he could grasp.
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Lady Wisdom vs Lady Folly
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Wisdom is discussed in Proverbs 9:1–12, where it is personified as a wise woman. This wise lady has built her house (v 1), has prepared a great dinner (v 2), and gives wisdom to those who lack it (ve 3–5).
The benefits to those who seek wisdom include becoming wiser and increasing in learning (v 8). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (v 10). Wisdom is even said to add years to one’s life (v 11).
In Proverbs 9:13–18, folly is associated with a seductive woman. Lady Folly is loud, seductive, and knows nothing but carnal lust(v 13). She seduces the simple who pass by (v 14–17). Those who turn to her find death (v 18). Lady Wisdom provides her gusts fine food and wine, Lady Folly offers stolen water and bread eaten in secret (v 17).
Proverb 9 calls the reader to embrace the wisdom of God and flee from the grips of Satan's folly. Wisdom offers many benefits while folly can only lead to the Final Judgement reserved for the lost. King David spoke of the this in Psalm 1;
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish. (Proverb 1:3-6)
In today's proverb, you will notice a similarity to the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 22:1–14 and Luke 14:15–24 of responding in a positive manner to God’s Word. The call to wisdom also closely resembles the New Testament’s call to salvation.
Lady Wisdom offers meat and wine to her guests. Her house is where the true abundance and a really great dinner is already set. It is a true banquet of life that is opened which anyone, no matter who you are, can join in. The needs of the guests will always be satisfied, as they hear her words of knowledge and wisdom.
Lady Folly on the other hand, only offers bread and water she claims is sweet because it's stolen. The metaphor of "stolen waters" refers primarily to adulterous intercourse, as to "drink waters out of one's own cistern" that harkens back to Proverbs 5:15 which signifies the chaste connection of lawful union of marriage. Lady Folly's meager meal is in secret and will leave the guest craving for more. Her meal is poor and ultimately unsatisfying. Like the apple in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3:1-6 folly has a sense of forbidden charm to her. Yet the ultimate reward is death.
The personification of both wisdom and folly as two different women presents the benefits of wisdom and the judgment associated with folly. A woman of wisdom benefits her husband, just as a woman of folly can destroy a husband. Thus the comparison of Lady Wisdom offering meat and wine to her guests while Lady Folly offers only bread and stolen water.
These words are written as advice from a father to a son.
(Proverbs 2:1;
3:1;
4:20;
5:1;
5:20;
6:20;
7:1).
His advice is that a person does not mature by experiencing the sweetness of wickedness or the deliciousness of sin but by learning the nourishment of God's wisdom. By this means, one can "live" in the real sense. One can live abounding in life's joy and strength, instead of perishing with the carnal delights of the world.
So the illustration of two kinds of women is a powerful method to illustrate God’s wisdom. Reading Proverb 9 (NKJV) in this context, provides a deeper understanding of how its application for life in today's world is can be priceless. We are called to choose wisely. We can either take the path of a person who discerns wisdom and live, or we can take the path that leads to death in the depths of hell.
Choose Wisely Christian
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Proverb 9 (NKJV)
The Way of Wisdom
Wisdom's Invitation
01 Wisdom has built her house,
00 She has hewn out her seven pillars;
02 She has slaughtered her meat,
00 She has mixed her wine,
00 She has also furnished her table.
03 She has sent out her maidens,
00 She cries out from the highest places of the city,
04 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"
00 As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
05 "Come, eat of my bread
00 And drink of the wine I have mixed.
06 Forsake foolishness and live,
00 And go in the way of understanding.
07 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself,
00 And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
08 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;
00 Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
09 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
00 Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
00 And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
00 And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
00 And if you scoff, you will bear it alone."
The Way of Folly
13 A foolish woman is clamorous;
00 She is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,
00 On a seat by the highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by,
00 Who go straight on their way:
16 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here";
00 And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 "Stolen water is sweet,
00 And bread eaten in secret is pleasant."
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
00 That her guests are in the depths of hell.
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