Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9:1

L. Invitations from Wisdom and Folly (9:1-18)9:1 Here Wisdom is seen building her house and preparing a great feast for those who will answer her invitation. A feast is especially appropriate as a picture of the joy, fellowship, and satisfaction which she provides for her guests. Various interpretations have been given for the seven pillars. Some commentators refer us to Isa_11:2, the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit which rested on the Messiah; but actually only six are clearly listed. An alternative interpretation is found in Jam_3:17 where the wisdom from above is described as (1) pure, (2) peaceable, (3) gentle, (4) willing to yield, (5) full of mercy and good fruits, (6) without partiality and (7) without hypocrisy. 9:2, 3 Meat and wine are served in abundance. The table is richly furnished. The regal hostess sends forth her maidens to issue the invitation from the highest places of the city. The commission of the maidens should remind us who have come to know the Wisdom of God, i.e., the Lord Jesus, to share this Wisdom with others, inviting them to come, find, and enjoy it for themselves. 9:4-6 The actual words of the invitation are given. It is issued to the simple, that is, to impressionable people who are prone to go astray and therefore need help and guidance. It is not issued to the wise because they are already inside the palace. The menu includes the finest foods and the most exquisite wine, mixed by Wisdom herself. Those who come are expected to part company with foolishness, and show that a moral change has taken place in their own lives. 9:7-9 The continuity here seems to be broken, but perhaps these verses explain either why the invitation is not sent to scorners, or why Wisdom’s guests must forsake them. If you correct a scoffer, you get only abuse for it. If you rebuke a wicked man, he will turn on you and assault you. The way in which a man receives rebuke is an index of his character. A scoffer hates you, whereas a wise man will thank you. How do you react when parent, teacher, employer, or friend corrects you? Instead of resenting criticism, a wise man takes it to heart and thus becomes still wiser. A just man benefits by increasing his store of useful learning. 9:10 Once again we are reminded that the starting point for all true wisdom is in the fear of the LORD. “To know the Deity is what knowledge means” (Moffatt). Because he knows the Holy, a true believer can see more on his knees than others can see on their tiptoes. The Holy One (plural) may be the plural of majesty, excellence, and comprehensiveness, or it may modify Elohim (understood), a plural word for God. 9:11 Wisdom leads to multiplied . . . days and increased years. . . . It provides not only for long life, but for good and productive living, and thenbeyond thatfor the life that never ends. 9:12 It is for a man’s own best advantage to be wise; he benefits himself more than anyone else. On the other hand, if he chooses to scoff, he will suffer the penalty of his choice, though others may be dragged in as well, of course. In the long run, he alone is the winner or loser. 9:13 Those who reject Wisdom’s feast are prime prospects for Folly’s fast. Notice the obvious contrast between Wisdom’s elegant offer (vv. 1-6) and Folly’s tawdry proposition (vv. 13-18). The foolish woman is loudmouthed, empty-headed, and brazenfaced. 9:14-16 She sits outside her front door or on conspicuous heights of the city, not as a gracious lady, but as the shameless harlot she is. She is out to seduce men who are easily led, simple fellows who have no sense. 9:17 Her line is, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” Basically she means that illicit intercourse is attractive because it is forbidden and because there is the intrigue of secrecy about it. When fallen human nature is forbidden to do a certain thing, that prohibition stirs up the desire to do it all the more (see Rom_7:7-8). The harlot appeals to this depraved instinct in man. She invites the gullible and the “easy touches” in for a visit. 9:18 But she doesn’t tell them the other side of the story. Following the moment of pleasure and passion is the lifetime of remorse and the eternity in the depths of hell. Even the world sometimes recognizes the truth of this verse. A very popular French song of the past century, speaking of the world’s idea of “love,” put it well: Love’s pleasure lasts only for a night; Love’s chagrin lasts for a lifetime.