The Calls of Wisdom and Foolishness

In this lesson we want to consider Wisdom and Folly, the two “women” who are out to woo and win the hearts of people.

In Proverbs we see that there are three calls from Wisdom and three from Folly.

Wisdom calls us to God and life; Folly calls us to sin and judgment.

I. Wisdom’s First Call—Salvation.

Proverbs 1:20–33 BSB

20 Wisdom calls out in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; 21 in the main concourse she cries aloud, at the city gates she makes her speech: 22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? 23 If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you. 24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, 25 because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction, 26 in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, 27 when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. 28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. 30 They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. 31 So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”

This is an open call out in the streets where people can see and hear.

God’s call to hearts is not a secret matter; His Spirit invites people openly to come to Christ.

Note that Wisdom invites all three classes: the simple, the scorner, and the fool.

Proverbs 1:22 BSB

22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge?

Wisdom can see judgment coming and she wants sinners to escape it.

What a wonderful offer she makes to those who will hear: the gift of the Spirit of God and the Word of God (v. 23).

How do sinners respond to this call?

It seems that they totally reject it.

Proverbs 1:24–25 BSB

24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, 25 because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,

They refused to heed; they did not regard God’s outstretched hand; they even made light of it.

What will the result be?

Destruction.

And God will laugh at them just as they laughed at Wisdom.

Proverbs 1:28 BSB

28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

They will reap just what they have sown.

Why did they refuse God’s gracious offer?

Proverbs 1:32 BSB

32 For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

God’s delayed judgment gives them a false security that they can “get away with it”.

Following Wisdom’s first call we have three chapters that present the path of wisdom.

The message of chapter 2 is that Wisdom protects our paths, of chapter 3 that Wisdom directs our paths, and of chapter 4 that Wisdom perfects our paths.

Wisdom offers people salvation, but in chapter 5 we see Folly offering them condemnation. Wherever God gives His gracious invitation, Satan is there with an alluring offer of his own.

The wicked woman is always so attractive to our flesh, yet she is very dangerous!

Proverbs 5:5 BSB

5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol.

God warns us not even to come near her door.

Proverbs 5:7–8 BSB

7 So now, my sons, listen to me, and do not turn aside from the words of my mouth. 8 Keep your path far from her; do not go near the door of her house,

Sin is always a costly thing: you can lose your reputation, your possessions, your health, and your very life.

II. Wisdom’s Second Call—Wealth

Wisdom is back in the streets again, calling sinners to follow God’s path.

Proverbs 8:5 BSB

5 O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding.

In v. 5 she calls the simple and the fools, but not the scorner.

He was the one who laughed and mocked, so God now passes him by.

How solemn to think that hearts can be so hard that they no longer hear the voice of God.

The invitation is to true wealth, the wisdom that is far above silver, gold, and precious jewels.

Proverbs 8:10–11 BSB

10 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. 11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

In fact, to know God’s wisdom is to reign like a king.

Proverbs 8:15–16 BSB

15 By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; 16 By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

Wisdom invites us to wealth, but in chapter 6, Folly invites us to poverty.

Proverbs 6:20–35 BSB

20 My son, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. 23 For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life, 24 to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. 25 Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. 26 For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life. 27 Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? 28 Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? 29 So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. 30 Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. 31 Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house. 32 He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. 33 Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away. 34 For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance. 35 He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.

Here is the “strange woman” again, all painted up, flattering the young man, tempting him to sin.

True, many ungodly people today seem prosperous, but their wealth will not last.

III. Wisdom’s Third Call—Life

Wisdom’s first invitation was to the fool, the scorner, and the simple; her second invitation was only to the fool and the simple; but her third invitation is only to the simple.

Proverbs 9:4 BSB

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment.

The fool decided to follow Folly, and he experienced death.

Alas, the simple too will reject Wisdom’s gracious call and end up in the depths of hell.

Here are the results of these invitations:

(1) The scorner rejected Wisdom and met destruction.

Proverbs 6:32 BSB

32 He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.

(2) The fool rejected Wisdom and was led to death.

Proverbs 8:36 BSB

36 But he who fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.”

(3) The simple rejected Wisdom and went to hell.

Proverbs 7:27 BSB

27 Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

The lesson is obvious: to reject Wisdom is to accept Folly.

There is no middle ground.

“He that is not with Me is against Me,” said Jesus.

“No man can serve two masters,”

We either follow Wisdom or Folly, Christ or sin.

Conclusion:

Wisdom is calling today and so is foolishness.

Proverbs 9:6 BSB

6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”

Proverbs 9:11–12 BSB

11 For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences.