The Proposal of Two Paths (1:10-33)

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

As we consider a passage such as , full well knowing that it was intended for a younger audience, there is need for all of us to take to heart the exhortation found within its’ verses. The reality is that, regardless of one’s age, we are all tempted to believe the lie that sin will bring greater happiness than holiness brings. Even if it is for a moment, we believe the lies that our flesh or the world feeds to us about the pleasures of sin. On the contrary, Wisdom cries to us to listen to her honest and blessed voice, “Follow me and with me there is life.”

Making important decisions in life is not limited to those who are about to go into college, make career decisions, choose a spouse, etc . . . We all make decisions, each day, whether or not we are going to follow Woman Folly or Woman Wisdom.

A study of will help each of us better discern the characteristics and qualities of the foolish and the wise.

The Foolish Proposal is Deceptive, Greedy and Selfish (1:10-19)

The proposal is presented in secret. In chapter one, we are not really told where or how this foolish proposal is made to the young naïve man. We do however see the manner of presentation in chapter 7. “In the twilight, in the evening, at the time of night and darkness. And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait” (). The lure of foolishness is often in secret. We are told that this is true because those in the darkness fear being exposed.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. ()

People don’t want their evil to be revealed. They cloak their actions and motivation in that which appears to be good, and they avoid places which might reveal their true intent.

The proposal is appealing (1:11-14). I hesitate to use the word appealing because this particular proposal seems anything but appealing to me personally. In fact, I’ve often struggled to understand why the proposal is presented in the manner it is.

If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse” ( ESV).

I would imagine that any culture has struggled with what we would consider to be gang culture. As presented, this proposal would likely appeal to that type of subculture. Israel would not have been exempt from such a problem. In fact there is evidence that “’Jerusalem . . . sheltered a miscellaneous population, and a distinct criminal class became more prominent.’ Gangs and robbery were surely a widespread . . . phenomenon.”[1]

With that said, the reality is that the proposal in verses 11 and 12 would be a turn off for most people. I tend to think that the father in this passage is telling the son what the foolish actually mean, not what they actually will say. The purpose of these quotations is to expose the perverted values and acts of these evil doers with their own words. There are other examples of this rhetorical device in the Old Testament. “In , God says: “And you come and stand before Me . . . and say, ‘We are saved, so that we may do all these abominations.’” Job quotes the wicked as saying to God: “We don’t want to know your ways” ().[2]

While this particular wording might not appeal to a great number of people, the principle proves true. Sin will present itself as appealing. In this case, if we can weed through the brash statements, we find that the evil doers appealed to an ever present desire, within most of us, to possess power, excitement, liberation from boredom, wealth, and comradery. These are the elements that are proposed to this naïve young man. “Come with us. You can live in comfort! You can have a family! You don’t need to remain oppressed by this tyrannical and oppressive culture!”

The proposal is dishonest (1:11-16, 19). The content of proposal is dishonest (1:11-16). The evil doers make a lot of promises, but in reality they are unable to fulfill those promises and in all reality don’t intend to fulfill those promises. Of course some of the promises they make are true. They probably will ambush, rob, and destroy. They may likely acquire some kind of money from these adventures. They will likely, for at least a time, feel the freedom of doing whatever they want.

But, this proposal is a lie in a number of ways. They probably aren’t looking at those they steal from as innocent. They probably don’t think they are robbing without reason. They’ve probably developed a rather complex rationale that justifies who they rob and why they thinks its okay to rob them. This is true of any sin. We are amazing lawyers. We offer creative arguments for why we can and even should do the things we really know to be wrong. Somehow we get ourselves to believe these lies.

The motivation of the enticer is dishonest (1:19). The stated motivation is the wealth and stability of the naïve man. The true motivation is their own wealth and stability. This group of fools acts as if they are motivated out of concern for this naïve man, and yet their real motivation is their own personal wealth. Likely this young naïve man will find himself in the way and simply discarded at some point.

The fact that sin presents itself coated with lies is clearly not a new invention. We know that Satan’s temptations often present themselves in much more subtle ways and in ways which appear to be good.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” ( ESV).

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ( ESV).

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ( ESV).

There are a couple of facts which we know to be true concerning Satan. He wants to destroy us and he lies all the time. Therefore he is going to wrap temptation and destruction in a box of beautifully wrapped lies. The wrappings on this particular box were camaraderie, wealth, and protection. These wrappings are alluring to nearly everyone. Most people want friendship and financial and physical stability. When those items are offered, they are hard to refuse.

Those proposing are oblivious to their own destruction (1:17-18). The foolish are ignorant of their own demise. They present their lives as prosperous and full of companionship and the reality is that they have set a trap in which they will destroy themselves.

In verse 17, we come to, potentially, a confusing statement. “For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird” ( ESV). If you were to consider this phrase alone, you would probably walk away with the lesson that “an obvious trap is not going to work, even if its set in front of a creature with low intelligence.” In other words, even a silly bird is not going to step into a trap laid right in front of him.

The question then must be asked. Who is the bird referring to in this passage? The naïve young man or the foolish criminals? If it is referring to the young naïve man, in essence the father is acknowledging to the son that the trap is really clear. There is no reason you can’t avoid that trap. And yet, sadly, in chapter 7 we see this young man follow lady folly into her home and “as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life” ( ESV).

An alternative view is that the bird is referring to the foolish criminals. This takes the foolishness to a new level of stupidity. Not only do the fools set the net, they foolishly fall into their own trap. The next verse seems to clearly indicate that this is the case. “For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives” ( ESV).

The Wise Proposal is Universal, True and Straightforward (1:20-33)

The wise proposal is universally available (1:20-21). “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks” ( ESV). The nature of woman wisdom’s proclamation reveals its universal nature. She is not trying to keep her wisdom from anyone. This bold announcement indicates that wisdom is easily accessible to all. She is not hiding truth. She wants all people to have access to it. If someone is destroyed it is not because the truth was hidden from them.

The wise proposal is straightforward, even confrontational (1:20-23). Note the extreme difference between where Woman Folly breathes her lies and where Woman Wisdom shouts her truth.

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks ( ESV).

Woman folly hid in the darkness and laid in wait at each corner. She whispers into his ear with smooth and seductive speech. In contrast, woman wisdom cries aloud in the streets and the market. Her speech may not be as smooth or seductive but its true. There is no shame or dishonor in what Woman Wisdom is presenting. She has never been found to be deceitful, and therefore does not fear heralding her request to follow her to life and real blessing.

The wise proposal is uncomfortably honest (1:24-32). She honestly and briefly offers the positive results of following her. “If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” ( ESV). She doesn’t add much in the last verse of the chapter either. “Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster” ( ESV).

She uncomfortably outlines what will happen if you don’t listen to her. The foolish most often present their lies in a fashion that will appeal to people, whereas wisdom speaks plainly and often in an unappealing manner. The truth is often hard to digest, and yet Woman Wisdom chooses not to cloak the truth. The truth in this instance is hard to swallow. Through the next 9 verses, we are told that if a fool rejects the truth, Woman wisdom will (1) laugh at their calamity, (2) mock them when dread comes, (3) not listen when they call, and (4) is no longer able to be found. The Psalms have similar statements.

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury ()

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. ()

With that said, if anyone comes with a broken heart to God they are received and redeemed. We must come in brokenness though. God refuses a formal return when it is not accompanied with true repentance.

With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the LORD, but they will not find him; he has withdrawn from them. . . . I will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me. (, )

You have rejected me, declares the Lord; you keep going backward, so I have stretched out my hand against you and destroyed you – I am weary of relenting. . . . 19 Therefore thus says the Lord: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. . . . I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless. (Jer 15:6, 19-21 ESV)

This passage dramatically displays the justice, righteousness and wrath of God. We should be careful if we are tempted to lighten the intensity of these verses simply because they seem harsh to us.

This demeanor of woman wisdom seems a bit harsh and may appear to have little room for grace and forgiveness. Remember that Proverbs presents things in a black and white manner. You decision results in certain consequences. As well remember that the Father in this passage is using dramatic speech to persuade his son to not follow the foolish but instead follow the wise. While his speech is dramatic it is still true and must be considered as such.

The wise proposal offers real reward. “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster" (). In stark contrast to the destruction that comes with the foolish, security and ease in the face of evil are the result of following Woman Wisdom.

Conclusion

First, if you are rejecting God (Christ) then take to heart the rather provocative statements in verses 24-32.

Second, there are many who would be the direct recipients of Solomon’s letter – the young people. Young people, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they tempt you do not walk in the way with them. They will destroy you. And remember, our own hearts can be the source of lies and temptations. Follow wisdom. She will reveal truth to you. She will allow you to dwell secure, live at ease, and not dread disaster.

Finally, many of you may consider yourselves past the point of the simple or naïve person. Many of you should be. This does not mean however that the same principles being presented to these young people are not directly applicable to you. It doesn’t matter the age, sin presents itself in deceitful, exciting, and enjoyable ways. Wisdom at times seems a little annoying and unpleasant. Whatever lie others present to you or you think up yourself is empty and destructive. While wisdom may not appear to be as enjoyable long term or as easy to immediately accomplish, wisdom is honest and results in long term spiritual health and joy.

[1] Michael V Fox, : A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, 2010, 86.

[2] Fox, 86.

[2] Fox, 86.