Prov 9 - Dinner Reservations

Introduction

In today’s text we see the core discussion wrapped by 2 descriptions of meals. Sometimes I like a sit-down feast, and other times I like grab-n-go fast food. But we’ve been told that a total diet of fast food will leave a body malnourished over time.

Junkfood or fastfood are not just nourishment for the body. Sometimes the diet of our minds, our inner man, our spiritual self, also slips into that which is convenient rather than that which nourishes.

When I was a teenager, the camp we attended scheduled each Saturday morning to talk about the evils of rock music. The only appropriate music was “Jesus music” and the “best” was psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

When I went to college we had a speaker in chapel with a different perspective. He said that “secular music is like an electronic twinkie” not necessarily harmful, but you can’t survive on a diet of only Hostess cakes.

In Pr 9.1-6 we see a pleasant and nourishing meal, in Pr 9.13-18 we will see the spiritual Hostess cake, the grab-n-go sandwich, that nourishes your soul no more than bread and water.

TRANSITION: Today’s chapter in Proverbs (the last we will study before moving into a series from the New Testament book of John) describes 2 meals for the soul. First we see...

The Prepared Feast of Wisdom (PR 9:1-6)

At the End of July Burkharts from all over the Midwest will gather for the annual reunion in South Haven. Invitations have already been extended. Travel plans are being made and room reservations are being requested. While the meal will be potluck, preparations will be necessary for the Feast to come together.

Likewise, we see that Godly wisdom plans and prepares a feast with a wide invitation.

The description starts off with a reference that stumps us (and biblical scholars throughout the ages). What is meant by the...

Seven Pillars (Pr 9.1)

Contrast to heathen temples with 7 pillars - heathen temples in the ANE were documented to be made in a sturdy fashion with 7 pillars. It is as if godly wisdom is saying “other religions have their meeting place, I also have a safe and sturdy place to find rest.

Ezekiel’s Temple - 7 exterior pillars, 2 posts and a lentil.

Any well-built home - others do not see a hint toward the heathen temples, but just (in contrast to nomadic tents) any sturdy, protective structure. The contrast is to the passing winds of modern thought, Wisdom is established.

7 days of Creation - some see a reference to the week of creation or the Sun, moon and 5 known planets at that time. I discount this idea because the God who made the planets knows there are more than 5 and creation is 6 days followed by a day of rest

here is the weekly reference to 67 for our junior high worshippers.

Regardless of any hinted nuance, we can surely conclude that wisdom presents her nourishment from a prepared and protective place that is complete. 7 in the Bible frequently refers to that which is complete and not lacking anything.

TRANSITION: from within this royal structure the host presents to her guests...

Meat & Wine (Pr 9.2)

Two weeks ago, Ann and I participated in a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity and House of Hope. I quickly learned that in the past this summer luncheon has always featured salads, but everyone at our table mentioned how much they preferred having a piece of fried yardbird this year. Somehow a meal lacking protein just seems to be missing something.

mixed wine was celebratory, not ordinary. Honey, cinnamon or other spices would have been added to increase flavor.

The feast is spacious, royal and celebratory.

A broad invitation (Pr 9.4-6)

Just as a sinner comes to the cross and empty tomb with empty hands, the only thing that guests need to bring is their appetite, their need.

cf. Luke 14:23 - Jesus’ response to those too preoccupied to dine with him.

finally in this section, note Pr 9.6 that a change takes place. leave, & walk in the way both indicate that the way of wisdom requires a new direction. We don’t just add Jesus to our already busy live, we pursue after Him instead of the things we seek in this world.

Before Jesus speaks of the great banquet in Luke 14, He speaks of our priorities in

Luke 12:34 ESV:2016

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

TRANSITION: This new treasure, this new direction creates a contrast illustrated in the central part of this chapter.

Two postures of living (PR 9:7-12)

Sociologist and Anthropologist divide humanity in many different ways that have been flexible through time: Indians have been divided into those from India and those from North America, Blacks have been divided into African and Caribbean sources, Hispanics are divided into Spain or Central/Southern American origin. Orientals are now Asians and Pacific Islanders.

Tthe two sexes are now divided in many people’s minds into dozens of genders.

Amidst all this human-introduced complexity, the Scriptures remain relatively basic: There were only 2 of each species on the Ark.

In a world where scores of religion clamor for attention, God still separates into 2 groups: Those in Christ, and those outside of Him. Even before Christ came to earth in flesh, these two groups separated themselves into the descriptions found in Pr 9.7-12.

Descriptions of the godly life

wise man (Pr 9.8)

righteous man (Pr 9.9 b)

lover (Pr 9.8) of others

become wiser & increase in learning (Pr 9.9)

multiplied days (Pr 9.11)

Descriptions of the earthly life

scoffer & wicked man (Pr 9.7)

hater (Pr 9.8) of others, AKA selfish

isolated and alone (Pr 9.12)

TRANSITION: The frustration and emptiness of the scoffer may be due to his diet. The one who rejects Wisdom’s invitation finds himself at

The Empty Table of Folly (PR 9:13-18)

Pr 9.13 links foolishness to loudness.

A preacher noted his sermon notes “this point is weak, pound the pulpit harder!” Experienced preachers learn that if everything is loud, nothing is emphasized.

We’ve all seen demonstrations where weak points are magnified through a bullhorn or repeated by a group as if the louder it is, the more true it becomes.

“Mostly peaceful” demonstrations leak into outrage or property damage when a weak point is not generating interest, headlines, publicity, or action.

Or the more annoying I am, the more important my cause becomes, moving a demonstration from a park to a roadway or blocking the Interstate does NOT give more credibility to a cause.

Lady Folly is loud because she knows nothing. Because she knows nothing, her meal is underwhelming.

Nothing of quality is mentioned, contrast to 7 pillars (Pr 9.14)

In contrast to a built house with hewn pillars, lady Folly’s home is simple “her house.” Perhaps a tent? Perhaps built with mud bricks? Nothing distinguishing.

Invitation is just a stranger in a doorway. (Pr 9.15)

Lady Wisdom sends out servants and daughters to call guest to her feast, lady Folly lazily stands at the door trying to catch attention of bypassers.

What is the best way to fill a table with diners? We used to receive invitations to formal events, now we get a “save the date” announcement, THEN an invitation, and finally hosts greet us at the door to create an inviting environment.

I VERY rarely enter a hole-in-the-wall eatery just because there is an “OPEN” sign in the window.

Meal is just bread and water (Pr 9.17)

mixed wine > water

slaughtered meat > bread

One way to make bread & water appealing is to steal them. There is something strangely enticing about taking something for ourselves that is not ours. Taking for self is an act of selfishness.

Selfishness is at the root of sin. Eve wanted for herself something that God chose not to supply to her.

I recently sat in a circle of people discussing the difference between a life of wisdom and a life of folly. We concluded that Wisdom brings abundance which is able to be shared with others. On the other hand, the fool who dines with lady Folly is only about what he can get for himself.

All of the discussions I have heard in the last year about “democratic socialism” are focused on selfishness. I have not heard a single person say that if we were socialists, I would be able to share more.  It is always about individuals getting more of somebody else’s wealth.

Conclusion:

Is your life better described by Eve who wanted it all for herself or Christ who desired to be a blessing to all? Eve’s selfishness led humanity AWAY from God’s best, Jesus’ selflessness provides the only way to be reconciled and drawn TOWARD God’s best for those we love.

Wisdom’s feast is a place for us to dine fully and have our souls nourished. Wisdom’s feast is also a place so abundant the meal is available free of cost to any who will admit their hunger, to come and eat.

Light for the Path

Godly wisdom offers a prepared and lavish feast in contrast to earthly basic subsistence.

Lamps for my steps

· Head – Knowing wisdom is the result of listening to God thru His Word.

· Heart – memorize Colossians 3:2 & Matthew 6:21

· Hands – intentionally share some piece of wisdom you have received with another person.

Response Song #293....................................... “Amazing Grace”

Benediction:

Ephesians 3:17–19 ESV:2016

[I pray] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.