Two Paths

Day 9:Proverbs 9

This is the end of the first nine chapters that have repeatedly presented a choice between the wise path and the foolish path. The wise path begins with a relationship with God. In verses 1-6, the woman of wisdom is inviting everyone to her house. This is a metaphor for God’s invitation to all mankind.

Much of Proverbs focuses on practical life situations, but verse 10 Is the most important principle. It says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One Is understanding .” If that sounds familiar, it’s because we read it on Day 1 of our Proverbs study. (Proverbs 1:7) The fear of the Lord Is not about cowering fearfully. It’s about reverence and honoring God because He is holy and the creator of all things. Wisdom begins with a right relationship with God.

The other choice is the path of foolishness. Living to satisfy your own foolish desires will separate us eternally from God our Father. There is no middle of the road option. Simply put, if you don’t choose wisdom and a relationship with God, you are choosing the way of foolishness. Those who accept the call of the foolish woman (verses 16-18) are turning to a life of sin and death – short lived pleasures and permanent misery.

Choose Him today, tomorrow, and forever.

Proverbs 9

Wisdom versus Foolishness

1 Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants; she calls out from the highest points of the city:
4 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says,
5 “Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; pursue the way of understanding.
7 The one who corrects a mocker will bring dishonor on himself; the one who rebukes a wicked man will get hurt.
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will learn more.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear [the consequences].”
13 The woman Folly is rowdy; she is gullible and knows nothing.
14 She sits by the doorway of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling to those who pass by, who go straight ahead on their paths:
16 “Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!” To the one who lacks sense, she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread [eaten] secretly is tasty!”
18 But he doesn’t know that the departed spirits are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.