Proverbs – Day 9
Scripture: Proverbs 9
Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
“Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
“Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
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 to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Devotional:
Remember in cartoons where one character is torn between helping or hurting the other? A little “angel” sits on one shoulder while a “devil” sits on the opposite shoulder. These two forces cajole him until, usually, he chooses the foolish choice to hurt the other… which always backfires. Proverbs depicts a similar scene, but with Wisdom and Folly personified as women hosting parties.
Wisdom “has prepared her meat and mixed her wine,” “set her table,” and sent her servants to invite people to her house. In other words, she’s put effort into the meal. And far from being a boring “wisdom party,” she has a great spread waiting for her guests! I’m reminded of the parable in Luke 14 in which a wealthy man (an allegory of God) is hosting a great banquet but is spurned by those he initially invites. As a result, he sends his messengers out – twice – to pull in anyone who is available to participate in the feast. Everyone – not just the rich, learned, or “spiritual” – are called to God’s table to feast on wisdom and understanding and to participate in fellowship and joyous celebration.
Or, you can choose to accept Folly’s invitation. She’s also hosting a party, but her catering includes “stolen water” – it’s given to her guests not at her expense, but of those from whom she stole it. She allows her guests to dine “in secret”; her guests hide from accountability in their own private grave. She doesn’t even get up from her front stoop to invite her guests, she just shouts at them as they pass by! Some hostess!
Key Verses:
“‘Let all who are simple come in here!’ she says to those who lack judgment. ‘Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.'” ~ Proverbs 9:4-6
Question:
- If Wisdom’s party sounds so much better than Folly’s, why would we ever accept Folly’s invitation?
