Saturday, July 31, 2010

Proverbs 9

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn out its seven pillars.

2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; 

she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her maids, and she calls 

from the highest point of the city.

4 "Let all who are simple come in here!" 

she says to those who lack judgment.

5 "Come, eat my food 

and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; 

walk in the way of understanding.

7 "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; 

whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.

8 Do not 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 add to his
learning.

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, 

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many, 

and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; 

if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

13 The woman Folly is loud; 

she is undisciplined and without knowledge.

14 She sits at the door of her house,

 on a seat at the highest point of the city,

15 calling out to those who pass by, 

who go straight on their way.

16 "Let all who are simple come in here!" 

she says to those who lack judgment.

17 "Stolen water is sweet; 

food eaten in secret is delicious!"

18 But little do they know that the dead are there, 

that her guests are in the depths of the grave.

Questions to consider:
  • Contrasts the banquets of Wisdom and Folly. Whom do each call? What do they offer? With what results?
  • Distinguish the responses of the scoffer and the wise man.
  • How does this picture summarize the teachings of chapters 1-8?
  • What is your attitude toward reproof and instruction? Why?
  • To what extent do you have wisdom and insight according to the definitions of verse 10?
Possibilities for prayer:

I think that the imagery of wisdom as someone who is prepared and organized is helpful in understanding what wisdom can look like in our own lives. Of course, this doesn’t mean that anyone who lacks certain organizational skills is necessarily unwise, but it’s still a helpful image. How can we be living lives that exhibit wisdom, that show its good work in us? Let’s ask God for ideas on ways that we can be