Wisdom Vs. Foolishness

INTRO

Our word or phrase to describe the Messiah in the book of Proverbs is Wisdom. Many times, the book of Proverbs feels like a letter from Solomon to his kids. But Proverbs 9 is a little different. There is no mention of a son, and the chapter takes on more of a feel like a party. When you have a party, you have to have something to celebrate. Then you announce it and prepare for it. Then you actually have to have the party—that’s what Proverbs 9 is about. The question is, who will respond to the invitation?

TEACHING

Proverbs 9:1-2: Wisdom has prepared her house and prepared the feast on her table. In ancient Israel, wine was a staple part of the feast. Jesus’ first miracle, recorded in the Gospel of John, was turning water into wine. Wisdom’s house was carved on seven pillars (v. 1). Tom Constable gave several options for what this means: “They could be an allusion to the cosmos (Proverbs 8:22-31) that God made in seven days. Some of the ancients envisioned the world as resting on seven pillars.” Others point out there are seven sections in Proverbs 2 through 7. Also, the number seven implies perfection, completion, or wholeness.¹

Proverbs 9:3–9: The female servants called out to those who were inexperienced and lacked sense (vv. 3–4). As if calling from a mountaintop, the servants invited all of the people to come (v. 5). The image of the bread and wine points to the New Testament. In John 6:51, Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever.” In Jesus’ discourse, the bread and the wine symbolized life. So, the servants issued an invitation to come to a banquet where they would receive life. Those who responded were encouraged, “leave inexperience behind, and you will live” (v. 6). As the church today calls people to come to God, we need to say the same thing: leave the inexperience and lack of sense behind. You don’t have to have this whole thing figured out—just come and partake. We can’t earn a place at the table because we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). We hear this invitation, literally, from Golgotha and the cross. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, He invites us to His table. Through His blood and His body, He invites us to Himself. This aligns with Ephesians 2:8–9, which emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God.

When the invitation is issued, there will be mockers and scoffers and people who question all of the above (v. 7). As people respond to the invitation, they have a humble spirit and are open to receiving more (vv. 8–9). There are consequences to whether and how we respond to this message. Will we receive it in humility or walk out in arrogance?

Proverbs 9:10–12: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (v. 10a). Hebrews 12:28–29 gives us a healthy perspective on the fear of the Lord. Since we’ve received the invitation, then let’s come to the table in awe and reverence of who God is. Further, “knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (v. 10b). When we respond, we gain greater respect and deeper knowledge of God. If we live according to the Word of God, the wisdom He has given us, then “years will be added to your life” (v. 11). When we respond, we experience the presence of the Lord. But if we mock the message and the presence of God, we will bear the consequences (v. 12).

Proverbs 9:13–18: There is another banquet that’s opposite of the feast of wisdom. The woman Folly is rowdy, gullible, and knows nothing (v. 13). She also calls out from the highest point of the city to those who pass by (vv. 14–15). Notice the contradiction between Wisdom and Folly. Folly offers the same invitation to those inexperienced and without sense (v. 16). The enemy will always mask itself with light. The same message is delivered, but Wisdom’s invitation brings life, and Folly’s invitation leads to death. Look at the counterfeit food offered by Folly: stolen water and tasty bread eaten secretly (v. 17). The devil is a counterfeit to the truth. He makes himself attractive enough that people want him—but, then it’s a trick. Folly promotes a funeral, not a feast—death, not life (v. 18).

Proverbs 9 parallels Jesus’ message in Luke 14 when He invited everyone to a feast. Generally, in these feasts, there were two invitations. Some days in advance of the celebration, the host notified guests of the day and hour of the feast. Then, on the day of the feast, the host went back to confirm the guests were coming—an RSVP, so the host knew the exact number of guests so the

cook could prepare the feast. In Proverbs 1:22, Wisdom called to three groups of guests: foolish ones (simple), mockers, and fools. In Proverbs 8:5, the invitation was issued only to two groups: the inexperienced (simple) and fools. Then, in Proverbs 9, the third invitation was given only to the simple (inexperienced).

In Luke 14:16–24, Jesus told a parable about a master who gave a great banquet. He issued the first invitation, then on the day of the banquet, when his slave went out to gather those invited, every guest made an excuse for not coming to the banquet. The Master of all masters then went to great effort to invite everyone—the poor, maimed, blind, and lame (the simple and foolish)—to come to His table. As these filled his house, the master stated none of those men originally invited would enjoy his banquet. Although not specifically stated in the Proverbs 9 passage, once the invitation is sent out, you have to decide whether to accept or reject the invitation. People have a list of excuses for not accepting the Master’s invitation—they’re not ready, their friends and their family will think they’re crazy, they’re having too much fun, or they’ve done too many bad things. The list can go on and on!

CLOSING

No matter what excuses are offered, we are not exempt from going out and inviting people to the Master’s table. We are not exempt from telling others what Christ has done—sacrificing His body (bread) and shedding His blood (wine) so we can accept His invitation. We are responsible to deliver the news/invitation; we’re not responsible for how they respond. Who would have thought Proverbs 9 would spur us on to issue the invitation? Once people get the invitation and accept it, it’s time to celebrate.