Proverbs 9

The Explanation

Two women are calling out today, and they both want you to come to their house.

The first woman is named Wisdom. She has built a big strong house with seven stone pillars holding up the roof. She has cooked meat, she has mixed wine, and she has set a beautiful table. Then she sends her servant girls out into the streets. She stands on the highest hill in the city and calls out loud, so everyone can hear. "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" she cries. She is not calling the smart people only. She is calling the ones who do not know much yet, the ones who are still learning. "Come, eat some of my bread," she says. "Drink some of the wine which I have mixed! Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding."

But there is another woman too, and the Bible calls her the foolish woman. She does not build anything. She just sits at her door, on a seat in the high places of the city. She is loud. She calls to people who are simply walking by, minding their own business. She says almost the same words as Wisdom, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here." But listen to what she offers. "Stolen water is sweet. Food eaten in secret is pleasant." She makes something wrong sound exciting. But here is the scary part. She does not tell her guests what is really waiting inside her house. Dead spirits are there. Her guests end up deep in the place of death.

What Does This Mean?

Would you have known which door to choose? That is exactly the question this chapter asks you. Both women call out. Both say almost the same words. But one leads to a feast at a strong table, and the other leads to death hidden behind a smile.

The chapter also tells you something surprising. If you correct someone who loves mocking, he will not thank you, he will insult you. But if you correct someone who is wise, he will love you for it. Wise people want to learn more. Proud people get angry when you try to help them.

Then comes the heart of the whole chapter. "The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom." That does not mean being scared of God like you are scared of a monster. It means taking God seriously, the way you take a king seriously, or a mountain, or the ocean. That kind of respect is where real wisdom starts.

The Common Thread

Wisdom in this chapter builds a house and prepares a feast and invites people in with open arms. Does that remind you of anyone? Jesus did exactly that. He ate at tables with ordinary people, with people who did not know much yet, and he said, come to me. He is calling out in the streets still today, just like Wisdom on the hill. He is not calling the people who think they already know everything. He is calling the simple ones, the still-learning ones. That means you.

For You

Every day you hear two voices calling you, just like in the story. One voice says, do the right thing, even if it is harder. The other voice says, do the sneaky thing, it will feel exciting. This week, when you hear that second voice, in a small lie, or taking something that is not yours, remember the house of Wisdom. Choose her table instead. Ask God for wisdom before you decide, even on small things like sharing your toys or telling the truth.

Talk About It

If both women call out almost the same words, how can you tell which one is really good?

Has anyone ever tried to correct you? Were you more like the mocker or the wise person in that moment?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you for calling out to us like Wisdom calling from the hill. Help us hear your voice above the loud, tricky voices around us. Give us wisdom to choose your table every day. Amen.