Proverbs 9 Verses 1 to 18 Two Invitations August 11, 2024

Proverbs 9 Verses 1 to 18 Two Invitations August 11, 2024

Lesson 6 The Search for Wisdom Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Romans 1:22-23 (NKJV) 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

· Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

· John 10:10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

· Proverbs 12:14-15 (NKJV) 14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him. 15 The way of a fool isright in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Main Idea:

· The foundation of God’s wisdom leaves nothing lacking in enabling us to build a life that is blessed and glorifies God.

Study Aim:

· To understand that choosing folly over wisdom is to choose self over God; to choose my way over God’s way; to choose sin over the Savior.

Create Interest:

· This chapter summarizes 1:8–8:36 by contrasting the invitations of wisdom (9:1–6) and of folly (vv. 13–18). Between the two invitations a brief series of briefly stated proverbs contrasts the nature and consequences of those who respond to each invitation (vv. 7–12).

· Wisdom and its rival folly are portrayed as two women each preparing a feast and inviting young men to their houses.

o Wisdom is portrayed as a responsible woman of character and wealth preparing a banquet,

o Folly is portrayed as a harlot inviting young men to a sensual meal of stolen water and food eaten in secret.

Lesson in Historical Context:

· The niventitles this chapter “Invitations of Wisdom and of Folly.” This certainly captures the main points, but it neglects verses 7–12. The personification of the two women, Wisdom (vv. 1–6) and Folly (vv. 13–18) is the proper way to end these chapters (1–9) which have been so dualistic: wisdom/folly, life/death, and good/bad[1]

· The opening prologue of a father’s wisdom passed on to his son concludes with an epilogue that contrasts the ways of wisdom versus folly. The father personifies wisdom and folly as two very different women.

o Wisdom labors diligently, prepares her home, manages her servants, and beckons the simple minded to eat of her bread. Such conduct ultimately reveals a fear of the Lord, knowledge of and insight into the Holy One of Israel (9:10).

o Folly, by contrast, is a loudmouthed seductress who seeks to entrap those who amble by. She touts the sweetness of forbidden fruit. But the father warns his son that folly is merely death veiled in a garment of seduction and the appearance of beauty.[2]

· Proverbs 9 speaks of these two voices—or rather, it articulates them. It’s the last of the nine opening chapters of Proverbs comprising a series of homilies interweaving talk about wisdom and marital faithfulness.

o Here, sexual promiscuity and stupidity are closely identified.

o Sexual unfaithfulness is the ultimate folly, and both unfaithfulness and folly are associated with failure to live in awe of Yahweh—that is, in obedience to Yahweh.

o The prominence of sexual exploitation and sexual wrongdoing in the Western church makes it especially troublesome to consider that link, and even more troublesome not to consider it.

§ It’s easier to avoid thinking about the issue.

o It’s therefore a great gift of God to have a book like Proverbs that gives such concerted attention to sexual temptation.[3]

Bible Study:

Proverbs 9:1-2 (NKJV) Wisdom’s preparation for the banquet 1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

· Vs. 1: The common Hebrew word for wisdom is ḥoḵmâh, but here it appears to be in the plural form (ḥoḵmôṯ) with a singular verb has built. “Lady Wisdom’s” activities of building her house, including hewing out for it seven pillars, suggest the industriousness that accompanies wisdom.

o It seems to say the seven pillars suggest that the house was large and spacious. This is consistent with statements in Proverbs that relate wisdom to a high station in life.

· Vs. 2: The meal that “Lady Wisdom” prepared included meat and mixed … wine (cf. v. 5). Prepared her meat is literally, “slaughtered her slaughter” (i.e., she butchered animals and cooked their meat).

o Mixing the wine may refer to diluting it, a custom in ancient Israel (cf. the apocryphal 2 Maccabees 15:39 and The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1939, 5:3087).

o Undiluted wine was considered distasteful by the Jews, and the wine for the Passover consisted of three parts water and one part wine. Or perhaps the custom of mixing spices with the wine to enhance its flavor may be in view (cf. Ps. 75:8; also note Isa. 5:22). Or possibly both are intended.[4]

Proverbs 9:3-6 (NKJV) Wisdom’s invitation to her banquet 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 "Whoever issimple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.

· Vs. 3: Instead of going out herself as in the previous two “calls,” Wisdom now sends her lovely maidens to the highest places of the city to invite people to the feast.

o It was customary in those times for a host or hostess to issue two invitations. The first one, given some days in advance, notified the guests of the day and hour of the feast; the second one, given the day of the feast, ascertained who was actually coming (see Luke 14:16–24; Matt. 22:1–14).

o Knowing the approximate number of the guests, the cooks could then prepare sufficient meat so that there was plenty for everybody and nothing would be wasted. We don’t read here of any preliminary invitation. The maidens are simply saying, “Come right now!”

· Vs. 4: Note that they are inviting one class of people: the simple. Wisdom’s first call was to the simple, the scorners, and the fools (1:22).

o Wisdom and the “foolish woman” (v.13) speak from the same places and to the same class—the simple, undecided, wavering, standing at the diverging point of the two paths that lead to life or death.[5]

o The phrase translated “lacks understanding” in verse 4 literally says “lacks a heart.” The inexperienced are those who have not yet made a decision.

o Most often, this lack is a lack of understanding of divine law. The adulteress preys upon the simple fool who “lacks” sense (Prov. 7:7). Yet even the simpleminded, those “lacking” in sense, are invited by wisdom to turn from their foolish ways (Prov. 9:4).[6]

o Wisdom calls them to turn in at her house, come to her party, eat her feast, and drink her wine. This is very similar to the parables in Matthew 22 and Luke 14, where the kingdom of God is compared to a wedding feast—a banquet. All are ultimately invited to this feast. The servants are sent out to the highways and hedges to invite all. This meal gives life, and those who refuse it will die.

o Wisdom is not just offering food and drink. Like Jesus, she is offering herself as food and drink that brings life (cf. John 6) (Leithart, Blessed Are the Hungry, 71–74).[7]

§ Proverbs 1:22 (NKJV) 22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.

· Vs. 5: The scorners laughed at her, so in her second call she invited only the simple and the fools. But the fools didn’t want God’s wisdom, so in this third call she invites only the simple ones to come to her feast. It’s a dangerous thing to reject God’s invitation; you never know when it may be your last one.

o Luke 14:23-24 (NKJV) 23 Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.' "

A thought to soak on from J. Vernon McGee:

· She hath sent forth her maidens: she cries upon the highest places of the city.” What a picture is given here.

o May I remind you that we have the same invitation now. A wedding feast has been prepared, and the invitations go out to all the invited guests saying that all things are ready. Many of the guests decline the invitation. Then the servants go out onto the highways and byways with the invitation to the wedding feast (Matt. 22:1–14). It is interesting that wisdom must go out into the highways and byways to invite people to come in. And we are to go out on the highways and byways.

o Our message today is: God is reconciled to you; now you be reconciled to God.

§ “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

§ In our day the Word is probably going out more than it ever has in the history of the world.

§ The invitation is going out to the ends of the earth to come to the school of wisdom, that is, to come to the Lord Jesus Christ.[8]

Proverbs 9:6-9 (NKJV) Lessons to be learned

6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. 7 "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man onlyharms himself. 8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

· Vs. 6-8: When the simple people accept the invitation, it means leaving the old crowd, and the fools and scoffers will try to talk them into staying.

· Accepting this invitation entails repentance (i.e., turning from your simple ways), receiving life, and walking in the way of understanding (Prov 9:6). 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. You will live wisely if you know me.”

· So, recognize that you are a fool, marry Wisdom, eat her food, and Wisdom—Jesus—will produce wisdom in you now and give you eternal life.

o Sinners don’t want to be rebuked and reproved, but wise people will accept and benefit from both.

o Fools, scoffers, and the simple like to have their own way and be told they’re doing fine, but wise men and women want the truth.

o Because one may suffer shame (Vs.7; “abuse,” RSV), he is not free from his obligation to rebuke his neighbor for his transgressions.

o This passage recognizes realistically the reactions of the wicked.

· It is significant that, while Wisdom invites the naive (simpleton) to her banquet, she doesn’t bother asking the scoffer (9:7–8).

o The scoffer is proud and hardened beyond reproof. He mocks Wisdom (and Christ).

o If you join the scoffer in rejecting Wisdom, you will be to blame for your own doom (9:12b, 18).

o Folly is anti-wisdom and anti-Christ. Those who follow after her will die.[9]

· Vs. 9: Teach wise people and they’ll accept the truth and become wiser; try to teach fools and they’ll reject the truth and become even greater fools.[10]

Example of D.L. Moody:

· God loves the simple. That is why He uses so many uneducated and unsophisticated people to get His work done in the world (1 Corinthians 1:26). D. L. Moody, for instance, was a simple man. He was uneducated, unsophisticated, not much bothered by what people thought of him, and not unduly impressed by cultured people. Furthermore, he had a disconcerting honesty and directness that often ruffled his more polished neighbors’ feathers. This direct manner contributed in no small degree to his success as an evangelist.

· D. L. Moody, essentially a simple man, heard Wisdom’s call. He ate at her table and drank her wine. He was so wise that even the great ones of this world wondered at him. They said of him what had been said of Jesus: “Whence hath this man this wisdom …?” (Matthew 13:54)[11]

· “When I pray, I talk to God, but when I read the Bible, God is talking to me … I believe we should know better how to pray if we knew our Bibles better.” “Bear in mind there is no situation in life for which you cannot find some word or consolation in Scripture.”

Proverbs 9:10-12 (NKJV) The Celebration for our understanding 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear italone."

· Vs. 10: Know the beginning point of wisdom:it is the fear of the Lord, trusting and knowing the Holy One.

o The fear of the Lord is the prerequisite to wisdom, and there is no wisdom apart from fearing—trusting and knowing—the Lord (v.10a).

o Fear is frequently attested in wisdom contexts. Indeed “the fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 1:7).

§ Wisdom is based upon following the laws of Yahweh. This reverence is rewarded, according to traditional wisdom teaching (which is undermined by the theme of Job), as a person receives long life (Prov. 10:27), avoids trouble (16:6), and “riches, honor, and life” (22:4).

§ It is fear which enables people (not necessarily in wisdom contexts) to live righteously (Jer. 32:40), to not economically oppress the weak (Neh. 5:9), to show hospitality to the stranger (Gen. 20:11) and to show kindness to friends (Job 6:14).[12]

o The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: The statement of Proverbs 1:7 is repeated again, here towards the end of this section of the book of Proverbs. Though Proverbs is a book that focuses on practical life, it is founded on this important principle: wisdom begins with a right relationship with God.

o The Holy One: Holy One is actually plural in the Hebrew. This may refer to the fullness of God’s holiness or it may refer to the Trinity.“ (v.10b).[13]

§ Knowledge (da’ath) is derived from the Hebrew word yada: to know by experience.

📷 Job 28:28 (NKJV) 28 And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.' "

📷 Psalm 111:10 (NKJV) 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

· Vs. 11-12: A note to insert here for clarity: Wisdom rewards her followers and judges mockers.

o Every person must bear the consequences of the choices he or she makes in life.

§ On one hand, wise choices produce good fruit.

§ On the other hand, foolish choices result in decay and death.

§ For those who fear the Lordand accept wisdom’s invitation (act wisely), this fruit is sweet (vv.11–12a).

· Wisdom rewards her friends with long life—many days and additional years (3:2, 16; 4:10).

o Ultimately, the number of our days is in God’s hand (Jas. 4:13–15), but natural law decrees that people who live by God’s wisdom will live longer than those who lead lives of sin.

o Wisdom enriches all our days and years with the benefits promised in the first eight chapters of Proverbs.

o For those who mock God and His wisdom, the fruit is repulsively bitter. Those who scorn God’s reproach and scoff at His truth must suffer the consequences of rejecting Him.

· To try to wrap up these thoughts, character is the outcome of a man’s personal choices, and for his ultimate destiny he must bear full responsibility. This truth is fittingly placed here between the two invitations of this chapter.[14]

o In the end, each one of us stands responsible for our own decisions and actions (v.12). This does not mean that our choices do not affect others, but that we will answer to God only for ourselves. We are fully accountable to Him as our Judge.[15]

Proverbs 9:13-18 (NKJV) Reject Folly’s call: A picture of a prostitute’s call. 13 A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. 14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, 15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: 16 "Whoever issimple, let him turn in here"; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 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 hell.

· The forbidden woman is now personified as Folly. Embracing Woman Folly will lead to the same place as embracing the forbidden woman—the grave (5:5; 9:18).

· The forbidden woman epitomizes folly (just like the noble wife epitomizes Woman Wisdom; ch. 31).

o This Woman Folly is a counterfeit who copies but perverts everything Wisdom does.

o Folly’s house is a temple too because it is at the highest point of the city (9:14). This is how we know that Folly stands for idols (Longman, Proverbs, 222).

o Turning away from Wisdom was characterized as unfaithfulness to God (1:32). One is unfaithful to God when one is whoring after idols. That’s exactly what’s happening here.

· Woman Folly is loud, seductive, ignorant, and lazy (9:13–14). She will produce this in her followers.

o She invites everyone to her party (vv. 15–16).

o She calls out to the same crowd as Wisdom—those who lack heart.

o She says to turn in at her house, come to her party. Her meal is illicit.

o Her water is stolen, and her bread is to be eaten in secret. This may seem “tasty” (v. 17), but the way that seems right will not end well.

· Picking up on Proverbs 5:15, where water refers to sex, this seems to be an invitation to an affair.

o She’s not just offering food and drink; she’s offering herself as food and drink. She’s offering an illicit relationship that will lead to apostasy, to walking away from God.

o Solomon knows that sexual sin leads to abandoning God.

§ We see that she seduces her victims by giving them half-truths. Yes, this affair will bring temporary pleasure, but she does not reveal the death that awaits them (v. 18).

· Foolishness is not seeing the connection between your actions and their consequences.

o Like a cow walking into a slaughterhouse, you don’t know that you’re about to become filet mignon.

o Her guests do not realize that accepting her invitation is accepting an invitation to their own funeral. They go into the grave (v. 18; “depths of Sheol”).

o There may be a destruction now like public shame, loss of family, or loss of money; but all of that is simply a foretaste of what’s to come—hell.

Conclusion

· Proverbs 9 is the story of Wisdom sending out her servants to invite us to a meal—a party—that brings life instead of death.

o Proverbs says that those who eat this meal will be made wise.

o The New Testament says that Jesus is the Wisdom of God, and he invites us to a meal as well. He invites us to feast on him. Those who eat this meal—those who feast on Christ’s flesh and blood—will live and be a part of his kingdom. Christ’s meal is not for those who think they’re wise; it is for those who know they are fools and who want to grow in wisdom. Have you accepted Christ’s invitation?

· Jesus lived a perfectly wise life, yet he took the punishment our foolishness deserved. He went into Sheol—the grave—and came back in victory three days later.

· He invites you to accept forgiveness from him.

o If you do, he will transform you into a wise person. The choice is yours!

o If you are an unbeliever, recognize the foolishness in your life, repent for the first time, and come to Jesus for salvation.

o If you are a believer, ask the Lord to reveal your foolishness to you, then confess it to him, repent of it, run to Jesus, and ask to be made like Him.

Reflect and Discuss

· What does this passage teach us about the nature of wisdom and the way someone can become wise?

· How does your choice of Jesus or idols affect whether or not you walk in wisdom in your daily life?

· In what ways do the details of your daily life—like finishing tasks and controlling your tongue—reveal your relationship with Jesus?

· What are some indicators that a person who will not listen to your correction might be a mocker? What are some indicators that a person might be wise and instructed by your correction?

· How do you respond when you are confronted or corrected? What does that reveal about you?

· What does this passage teach you about sin?

· What does this passage teach you about redemption in Christ?

· In Christ, how can you obey the commands of this passage? What will that look like in your daily life?[16]

[1]Roland E. Murphy and O. Carm, “Proverbs,” in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, ed. W. Ward Gasque, Robert L. Hubbard Jr., and Robert K. Johnston, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012), 42. [2]Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: Old Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020), Pr 9:1–18. [3]John Goldingay, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs for Everyone, Old Testament for Everyone (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press; Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2014), 40. [4]Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 923–925. [5]Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Jeremiah, Lamentations & Ezekiel, ed. F. C. Cook and J. M. Fuller (London: John Murray, 1879), 32. [6]Thoralf Gilbrant, “(2) חָסֵר,” The Old Testament Hebrew-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1998). [7]Jonathan Akin, Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 93–94. [8]J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary: Poetry (Proverbs), electronic ed., vol. 20 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), 89. [9]Jim Newheiser, Opening up Proverbs, Opening Up Commentary (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2008), 93–94. [10]Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Skillful, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 31–32. [11]John Phillips, Exploring Proverbs 1–19: An Expository Commentary, vol. 1, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009), Pr 9:4–6. [12]Thoralf Gilbrant, “יִרְאָה,” The Old Testament Hebrew-English Dictionary, The Complete Biblical Library (WORDsearch, 1998). [13]David Guzik, Proverbs, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2017), Pr 9:10–12. [14]Earl C. Wolf, “The Book of Proverbs,” in Job through Song of Solomon, Beacon Bible Commentary (Beacon Hill Press, 1967), Pr 9:7–12. [15]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Proverbs, The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible (Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2012), 150. [16]Jonathan Akin, Exalting Jesus in Proverbs, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), 95–97.