Proverbs 9 - An Invitation to Wisdom’s Feast

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God…(1 Corinthians 1:30a ESV)

Section 1 - Verses 1-6 describe the house of Wisdom, and a great feast that has been planned.
Section 2 - Verses 13-18 describe the house of Folly, and the reality that awaits her guests.
Section 3 – In-between the previous two…Verses 7-12 – they hold a key to understanding the heart of the message and what God wants for us, what He has designed for us…and then the choice for what we will do.

1. Wisdom has built its house.

[1] Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.
[2] She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
[3] She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,
[4] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says,
[5] “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.
[6] Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”

“Wisdom is here introduced as a magnificent and munificent queen, very great and very generous; that Word of God is this Wisdom in which God makes known his goodwill towards men; God the Word is this Wisdom, to whom the Father has committed all judgment. He who, in the chapter before, showed his grandeur and glory as the Creator of the world, here shows his grace and goodness as the Redeemer of it.”
~ Matthew Henry

“Like Jesus, she is offering herself as food and drink that brings life (see John 6). Accepting this invitation entails repentance, receiving life, and walking in the way of understanding. In essence, what Wisdom is saying is, ‘Repent of your foolishness, come to my party, marry me, and I will make you wise and give you an abundant and eternal life.’”
~ Daniel L. Akin

2. The House of Folly

[13] The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
[14] She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
[15] calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
[16] “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says,
[17] “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
[18] But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (ESV)

3. The Key in the Center

[7] Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
[8] Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
[9] Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
[11] For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
[12] If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

The depth of friendship can never be known or realized between two friends…until there is a conflict between them.

“Man is not at the center of Proverbs, God is. And His counsel comes with a condition. Proverbs 1:7 says, ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.’ This fear is not terror, but humility and reverence before God. Above all else, Proverbs counsels us to be in awe of God, recognizing that we cannot earn this wisdom or ever deserve its beauty.”
~ Rachel Price

The knowledge of God and the wisdom from God are not only invaluable. They are available to every believer.

The wise are wise for themselves. If you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Questions to ask ourselves:

1. Have I responded rightly to wisdom’s invitation?
2. Do I regularly and practically show the Father my thankfulness for the invitation He has given, to have life with Him eternally?
3. Am I aware of the face of Folly in my everyday life?
4. How do I process Folly’s invitations to me-do I leave my path and linger, and turn to follow her?
5. How would friends or your spouse respond if someone asked them if you are teachable?
6. Would others think of me as a mocker, or a wise man/woman?
7. What decision as to wisdom or folly have I made?
8. Do I fear the Lord?