Proverbs 9: Wisdom's Invitation and Folly's Deception
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Proverbs 9 stands as a pivotal chapter, contrasting the life-giving path of wisdom with the destructive allure of folly. Building upon the earlier portrayals of wisdom as a woman calling out to be heard (Proverbs 8:1-4) and the seductive dangers of wickedness (Proverbs 7:7-27), this chapter presents two distinct invitations. Lady Wisdom extends an offer of life and understanding, while the foolish woman, Folly, lures the naive toward ruin. In essence, Proverbs 9 emphasizes the critical choice before us: to embrace God's wisdom or succumb to worldly foolishness. This chapter serves as a bridge, leading from Solomon's extended praise of wisdom (Proverbs 1-9) into a collection of individual proverbs (Proverbs 10-22).
Wisdom's Prepared Feast (Proverbs 9:1-6)
Solomon depicts Wisdom as a gracious hostess who has meticulously prepared a grand banquet. "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars" (Proverbs 9:1). This imagery suggests a firm foundation and a well-established dwelling, symbolizing the stability and security that wisdom offers. Wisdom is not merely an abstract concept but a practical guide for building a fulfilling life.
She has prepared her food, mixed her wine, and set her table. Then she sends out her servants to call all who are simple, inviting them to turn away from foolishness and live. Wisdom's invitation is clear: "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 insight" (Proverbs 9:4-6).
This is an invitation to transformation. Wisdom offers nourishment for the soul, a banquet of blessing for those who accept. Rejecting this offer is akin to rejecting the very source of life. As Tony Evans notes, if you don't feel hungry for wisdom, it's a good sign that you're actually starving for it. We desperately need God's wisdom, so we need to RSVP immediately and partake of the feast offered. Wisdom says, come and you will live (Proverbs 9:5-6). The path of wisdom, though requiring effort and discipline, leads to life and success. It's an expression of common sense, not an overly literal guarantee. Those who pursue truth and godliness are more likely to thrive and less likely to suffer consequences.
The Response to Wisdom: Humility or Arrogance (Proverbs 9:7-12)
The middle section of Proverbs 9 highlights the contrasting responses to wisdom. "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse" (Proverbs 9:7). Those who are arrogant reject correction and despise those who offer it. They are unwilling to admit their need for wisdom and are closed off to learning. As Tony Evans points out, Humans don’t typically enjoy being rebuked, but Proverbs insists that the difference between a mocker and the wise lies in an individual’s willingness to be corrected. Solomon says, if you rebuke a mocker . . . he will hate you—and maybe even hurt you (Proverbs 9:7-8).
In stark contrast, "Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning" (Proverbs 9:9). The wise are teachable, humble, and eager to grow. They recognize that they don't have all the answers and are open to correction and instruction. They understand that continuous learning is essential for a life of wisdom. He wants to be wiser still (9:9), so he’s open to correction. He’s not satisfied with making a few good choices in life. He wants to make them all the time.
Verse 10 underscores the foundation of all true wisdom: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom begins with reverence for God and a recognition of His authority. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding of God's character and His ways. Wisdom, the ability to understand the divine perspective and apply it to life, comes from God. He’s the only source. If you’re going to become wise, you have to get to know God through his Word and take him seriously.
The benefits of wisdom are clear: "For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life" (Proverbs 9:11). While wisdom doesn’t guarantee a long life, it protects us from the foolish choices that can lead to premature death. You can’t purchase years to add to your lifespan. But, if you accept Wisdom’s banquet invitation (9:1-5), she’ll keep you from dying an untimely death through foolishness (9:11).
Folly's Deceptive Invitation (Proverbs 9:13-18)
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast to Wisdom's invitation. "Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing" (Proverbs 9:13). She is loud, seductive, and ignorant. Her invitation is a deceptive trap. Don’t miss that there’s another party going on, distracting people from the pursuit of wisdom. The devil has a banquet prepared too, hosted by Folly. But this hostess is rowdy; she’s gullible and knows nothing (9:13).
"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 in here!' she says to those who lack judgment, 'Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!'" (Proverbs 9:14-17). Folly offers immediate gratification and illicit pleasure. She tempts with the allure of the forbidden, promising satisfaction in things that are ultimately empty and destructive. Her meal may be sweet and tasty (9:17), but it’ll kill you (9:18).
However, "the guests of Folly are in the depths of the grave" (Proverbs 9:18). Those who succumb to her seduction do not realize that they are on a path to destruction. Her path leads to death. You won’t come home from this party. Folly's fleeting pleasures ultimately lead to ruin and despair.
Proverbs 9 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of choosing wisdom over folly. The path of wisdom, though sometimes challenging, leads to life, understanding, and fulfillment. The path of folly, though initially appealing, leads to destruction and death. Let us heed the call of Wisdom and embrace the life that she offers.
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city,
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
To call passengers who go right on their ways:
Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Proverbs 9 stands as a pivotal chapter, contrasting the life-giving path of wisdom with the destructive allure of folly. Building upon the earlier portrayals of wisdom as a woman calling out to be heard (Proverbs 8:1-4) and the seductive dangers of wickedness (Proverbs 7:7-27), this chapter presents two distinct invitations. Lady Wisdom extends an offer of life and understanding, while the foolish woman, Folly, lures the naive toward ruin. In essence, Proverbs 9 emphasizes the critical choice before us: to embrace God's wisdom or succumb to worldly foolishness. This chapter serves as a bridge, leading from Solomon's extended praise of wisdom (Proverbs 1-9) into a collection of individual proverbs (Proverbs 10-22).
Wisdom's Prepared Feast (Proverbs 9:1-6)
Solomon depicts Wisdom as a gracious hostess who has meticulously prepared a grand banquet. "Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars" (Proverbs 9:1). This imagery suggests a firm foundation and a well-established dwelling, symbolizing the stability and security that wisdom offers. Wisdom is not merely an abstract concept but a practical guide for building a fulfilling life.
She has prepared her food, mixed her wine, and set her table. Then she sends out her servants to call all who are simple, inviting them to turn away from foolishness and live. Wisdom's invitation is clear: "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 insight" (Proverbs 9:4-6).
This is an invitation to transformation. Wisdom offers nourishment for the soul, a banquet of blessing for those who accept. Rejecting this offer is akin to rejecting the very source of life. As Tony Evans notes, if you don't feel hungry for wisdom, it's a good sign that you're actually starving for it. We desperately need God's wisdom, so we need to RSVP immediately and partake of the feast offered. Wisdom says, come and you will live (Proverbs 9:5-6). The path of wisdom, though requiring effort and discipline, leads to life and success. It's an expression of common sense, not an overly literal guarantee. Those who pursue truth and godliness are more likely to thrive and less likely to suffer consequences.
The Response to Wisdom: Humility or Arrogance (Proverbs 9:7-12)
The middle section of Proverbs 9 highlights the contrasting responses to wisdom. "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse" (Proverbs 9:7). Those who are arrogant reject correction and despise those who offer it. They are unwilling to admit their need for wisdom and are closed off to learning. As Tony Evans points out, Humans don’t typically enjoy being rebuked, but Proverbs insists that the difference between a mocker and the wise lies in an individual’s willingness to be corrected. Solomon says, if you rebuke a mocker . . . he will hate you—and maybe even hurt you (Proverbs 9:7-8).
In stark contrast, "Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning" (Proverbs 9:9). The wise are teachable, humble, and eager to grow. They recognize that they don't have all the answers and are open to correction and instruction. They understand that continuous learning is essential for a life of wisdom. He wants to be wiser still (9:9), so he’s open to correction. He’s not satisfied with making a few good choices in life. He wants to make them all the time.
Verse 10 underscores the foundation of all true wisdom: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). True wisdom begins with reverence for God and a recognition of His authority. It is not merely intellectual knowledge but a deep understanding of God's character and His ways. Wisdom, the ability to understand the divine perspective and apply it to life, comes from God. He’s the only source. If you’re going to become wise, you have to get to know God through his Word and take him seriously.
The benefits of wisdom are clear: "For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life" (Proverbs 9:11). While wisdom doesn’t guarantee a long life, it protects us from the foolish choices that can lead to premature death. You can’t purchase years to add to your lifespan. But, if you accept Wisdom’s banquet invitation (9:1-5), she’ll keep you from dying an untimely death through foolishness (9:11).
Folly's Deceptive Invitation (Proverbs 9:13-18)
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast to Wisdom's invitation. "Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing" (Proverbs 9:13). She is loud, seductive, and ignorant. Her invitation is a deceptive trap. Don’t miss that there’s another party going on, distracting people from the pursuit of wisdom. The devil has a banquet prepared too, hosted by Folly. But this hostess is rowdy; she’s gullible and knows nothing (9:13).
"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 in here!' she says to those who lack judgment, 'Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!'" (Proverbs 9:14-17). Folly offers immediate gratification and illicit pleasure. She tempts with the allure of the forbidden, promising satisfaction in things that are ultimately empty and destructive. Her meal may be sweet and tasty (9:17), but it’ll kill you (9:18).
However, "the guests of Folly are in the depths of the grave" (Proverbs 9:18). Those who succumb to her seduction do not realize that they are on a path to destruction. Her path leads to death. You won’t come home from this party. Folly's fleeting pleasures ultimately lead to ruin and despair.
Proverbs 9 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of choosing wisdom over folly. The path of wisdom, though sometimes challenging, leads to life, understanding, and fulfillment. The path of folly, though initially appealing, leads to destruction and death. Let us heed the call of Wisdom and embrace the life that she offers.