Proverbs 9

Two Ladies

Proverbs 9

v.1-2 This chapter includes two invitations. One is from Lady wisdom the other is from the foolish woman (13). They symbolize the two ways that exist for humanity. There is the way of wisdom and the way of foolishness. Both are calling for us. We must choose one.

Wisdom lives in a large house that she has built herself. It is supported by seven pillars. This emphasizes the size of the home. There is plenty of room for all to enter it. Not only has she built her own house, but she has also prepared a feast for her guests. It consists of meat and wine (the mixed wine could refer to the dilution of it as it was a custom). The table is set. All she needs is guests.

v.3-4 In order to get guests she sent her maidens out to search for them. She calls through her young women from the highest point of the city. From this point it will be easy for everyone to hear the call.

She calls the simple (naive) and those who do not have sense to come to her feast. These are the people who sincerely need help. She has the resources to entertain the upper class in her beautiful home, but she chooses to call out to the entire city instead.

v.5-6 She appeals to them to come and feast with her. Eat her food, drink her wine. This means to consume her teachings. Wisdom offers us the opportunity to feast on the knowledge of God. If we choose to do this, we are forsaking the foolish and entering into the path of understanding. The benefit of eating from her table is life.

It is easy to see a parallel between wisdoms call and Jesus parable of the great banquet in Luke 14:15-24. In both a supper was made, the unlikely were invited, and great benefit came to those who came to the supper.

We are going to skip verses 7-12 and come back to them at the end. The purpose is so that we can compare and contrast the two invitations.

v.13 The foolish woman is described in this verse. She is simple. In other words, she does not know anything. She is also loud (clamorous). Foolish people often masquerade their foolishness with loud speech. If they cannot reason to get their point across then they will scream to get it across. The loud, foolish, ignorant woman is nothing to be impressed over.

v.14-15 She sits at her house in a high place overlooking the city and calls all who pass by. She invites those who pass by her home to come inside. She wants to get them to deviate from their path into her house. She is not quite as diligent as Lady wisdom, but she is motivated and intent on convincing the town to follow her ways.

v.16 She calls out to the naïve to come into her house. She promises understanding (knowledge). The problem is that she does not have the proper knowledge to give. She can only educate others in the way of sin.

v.17 Stolen waters refers to sex outside of marriage (5:15). Bread eaten in secret describes a person who is enjoying something they have gotten in a sinful manner. The bread is eaten in secret so no one sees the person with it. The bread does not belong to the person eating it.

The foolish woman teaches that sexual immorality and gain by immoral means is permissible. Probably because it brings pleasure.

v.18 The guests of the foolish woman end up dead and in hell. The foolish people that enter her house perish because of their ignorance. They responded to the call of the foolish woman and refused the call of Lady Wisdom. They will forever pay the consequences. It is far from being sweet and pleasurable, it is bitter and tormenting.

Similarities                                           Differences

* Both are ladies.                                  * One is foolish and the                                                                                                                                                                                                   other wise. 

* Both have homes.                              * One built her house

                                                                 the other did not.

* Both prepared a feast.                        * One offers quality                                                                             food the other bread &                                                                water

* Both are busy inviting guests.            * One sent out helpers                                                               the other did not.

* Both are willing to receive anyone.    * One encourages sin                                                                          the other says to                                                                   forsake it.

* Both give promises.                            * One leads to life the                                                                            other to death.

v.7 A scoffer is someone who mocks the Word of God. When he is corrected, he will insult the one correcting him. The wicked man is equated with the scoffer. He loves to indulge in sin. When he is rebuked he may even respond violently. The scoffer may physically attack the person who corrected him.

v. 8-9 When a scoffer is corrected he responds with hate toward the person. When a wise person is corrected they respond with love. One shows their pride, the other their humility. The wise and righteous man will benefit from correction. They will grow wiser through it. The fool only gets angrier and more rebellious. How a person responds to the truth says a lot about their state of heart.

v.10-11 This verse makes it clear that two things are necessary for us to have God’s wisdom. We must fear Him and know Him (have a personal relationship with Him, John 17:3). The benefit of fearing and knowing God is long life. It may include a long physical life, but it always includes an eternal life with Him.

v.12 This verse emphasizes personal responsibility. We must seek the wisdom of God personally. No one can do it for us. If we seek wisdom personally experience the benefits of wisdom. If we choose to be a scorner we will personally pay the price for that. We are responsible in eternity for our own choices.

Thoughts To Consider

1. God has a wonderful celebration prepared for those who answer His call.

2. Don’t let the fear of abuse keep you from warning the wicked.

3. There is one choice you must make for yourself, heaven or hell.

4. Sin is sweet until you have to settle your account with God