Proverbs 9 is a poem that contrasts the personifications of wisdom and of folly. Each consists of a description of the women, a call to the simple, an invitation to eat, and a statement about where each invitation will lead. The purpose of the similarity is to highlight the differences, which present Lady Wisdom as clearly desirable in all respects.
Proverbs 9:
Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
“Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
For by me your days will be multiplied,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
“Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
“Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
The description of Wisdom’s house (she built it and hewed seven pillars) and her preparations (slaughtered her beasts, mixed her wine, set her table, and sent out her young women) is a picture of prudence, strength, riches, and honor that she described as hers. In contrast, the description of Folly is a picture of one who lacks sense (she…knows nothing), strength and honor (she sits at the door), and riches (she offers stolen water and bread).
Wisdom calls the simple to her feast so that they may become wise. Folly calls the simple to come and not only remain simple but also to be further formed in the way of foolishness (1).
How can we be like Lady Wisdom?
– We can build our wisdom by reading God’s Word and praying, asking God for wisdom.
– We can prepare ourselves with wisdom by studying, meditating, and memorizing the scriptures.
– We need to desire to be wise to avoid feeling content with a simple life.
Mark Driscoll said:
If we fail to think, we fail to worship.
As Christians we need to be a thinking people. I believe that the more we understand God’s Word and His creation, including the solar system, the laws of nature, our human bodies, etc., the easier it becomes to see God in every aspect of our lives.
What are your thoughts about Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly? Do you have any advice for living more like Lady Wisdom? Please post your comments below. I love hearing you thought!
(1) ESV Study Bible
