Proverbs 9

Attributes of Wisdom

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 5 “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.”

7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.

Folly Calls for a Hearing
13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, 17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” 18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave. (NLT)

insights

The attributes of wisdom sets the example for us. Wisdom has the strength to build her own house and to carve its seven columns. She has the skill and creativity to prepare a great banquet, even to mixing her own wine and setting her own table. She calls not only to the righteous, but to the simple as well. And she has personally attended to every detail. The attributes of wisdom result in a most elegant invitation! What an honor indeed to be welcomed into the presence of wisdom!

Everyone needs wisdom, and the attributes of wisdom in this chapter give us a standard to measure ourselves against. The knowledge of God is foundational to wisdom. We must therefore share our knowledge of God, not only with those we deem acceptable or worthy, but with all who come within our sphere of influence. Some will understand, some will listen and still not hear, and some will not listen at all. Some may mock you, even persecute you for your faith, but even then stand firm in your knowledge. Don’t stress over trying to convince those who do not want to hear. Call to them as wisdom calls, then let them make their choices.

The attributes of wisdom are the way of life, but wisdom is not the only one calling us. The way of foolishness calls to us as well. Foolishness will lead us away from wisdom, away from God, and into spiritual death. In this, the age of business, we are constantly bombarded with both of these voices, just like the stereotype of an angel on one shoulder and devil on the other, we are caught in the middle. We are constantly faced with the choice between clinging to life or clinging to death. We bring on much of our own suffering by our foolish choices.

lynnibug