Proverbs 9 - Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

Good Evening Girls!

This was supposed to go out last night but it just didn't happen. I will have to make sure that I keep up my end of the deal and keep the scriptures going out! I hope that you all enjoyed Saturday. We enjoyed a very WARM soccer game and then after we got home and got the crew down I decided to go for a run... I know a very not smart idea. (1) It was over 90 degrees yesterday (2) I had already been outside for 2 hours at soccer (3) I didn't wear sunblock (which is really no surprise to many of you). So I got a pretty intense sunburn - haven't had anything like this in a long time. Lesson learned and I went to walmart and loaded up on sunscreen for me and the crew.

Well let's get into the Word, I know I really need it!

Proverbs 9
Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”

7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.

My thoughts and take-aways!
So we start with wisdom building her house with seven (number of perfection and completion) pillars (v1). Then we read about a great banquet which symbolizes a celebration of a committed relationship with God (v2). Then we are told a committment to wisdom involves a committment to the Lord (v3). Wisdom makes her appeal to the simple and those who lack good judgement because they have not yet decided between wisdom and folly (v4). In verses 7-9 we are given a warning about mockers and are told to stay away from mockers as well. In contrast we are told the wise appreciate corrective advice; they welcome it and benefit from it. In verse 13-18 the invitation from 'folly' is given also to the simple and those who lack good judgement. The woman named 'folly' is brash , a fool, and without shame (v13). Folly will mimic wisdom and prepared a banquet but hers will serve a meal that is perverse and dishonest (v17). Folly's dinner guests end up in the depths of the grave (v18).

I think the portion of scripture that stirs my soul is verses 10-12:

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

I know speaking from personal experiance that having a loving Lord is easy to wrap my mind around. It was truly when I started studying the word and asking questions that I began to truly FEAR the LORD. It was only then that I could barely imagine the depths of his power and greatness. So to me this scripture is so honest and valuable in life. The Lord commands us repeatidly to seek wisdom and that we will be rewarded - here he states time will be added to our live. In contrast he also throws in a warning to 'mockers' - you ALONE will suffer!

In pondering today's reading -
Are you a wise-seeker or a mocker?

Love to all!
M