Proverbs 9, Be Wise and Not Foolish

Be Wise, and Not Foolish!

Proverbs 9

1. THE CHARACTER OF WISDOM & HER INVITATION (vv. 1-6)

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Jesus is our wisdom.

Isaiah 55:1; Song of Solomon 5:1

2. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN WISDOM AND FOLLY (vv. 8-10)

Solomon gives a cautionary warning about trying to point out the error of their ways to a scoffer.

Proverbs 1:5 is a parallel to this. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Compare Proverbs 1:7 here. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Reverencing God and gaining a more intimate knowledge of Him are among the highest and most beneficial pursuits one can have in life.

3. THE CALL OF FOLLY AND HER END RESULT (vv. 13-18)

“clamorous,” the woman Folly is “simple” and lacks knowledge.

Note Proverbs 7:11 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.& 5:6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Proverbs 3:5, 6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 9:18) But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Here is the “test of end result,” similar to that taught by Paul in where the end result is glory for God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Here the end result of “turning in” to Folly’s house is death and residence in the “depths of hell.”