Between Wisdom and the Invitation of Folly
Contents
July 18th Wednesday morning worship service.
- Proverbs 9:1-18 At the invitation of the wise woman and the foolish woman
Today's Proverbs is the final part of the apologetics for the superiority of wisdom, which begins in Proverbs chapter 1, and urges us to clarify our position on wisdom before the beginning of Solomon's proverb, which continues in chapter 10.
To this end, a wise woman and a foolish woman appear respectively. If verses 1 to 6 of today's text are the invitation of the wise woman, then verses 13 to 18 are the invitation of the foolish woman, and verses 7 to 12 in the middle are the arrogant people who are placed in between. It symbolizes the wise. The Wisdom Woman builds her own house and sends her maidservant high up in the city to invite people. The maid screams like this. “Let the fool turn here.” The foolish woman also imitates the wise woman and invites people, and she also sits on a high place in the city and shouts, "Let the foolish turn here." It is not easy to find a marked difference between a wisdom woman and a foolish woman in appearance. Perhaps this similarity alludes to a reality in which the way of the Lord and the way of the world do not appear to be evident in the world. The distinction between the wise woman and the harlot in Proverbs seems very clear, but it is not so simple to distinguish between true wisdom and false wisdom in the concrete world of life.
Moreover, false wisdom often offers us sweeter slogans. The teaching in verse 17, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten secretly is delicious” is a typical example. Once we hear this false wisdom in our experience, we will nod our heads. It is like a worldly whisper to be faithful to our feelings today. While plausible, these teachings tell us nothing of the darkness, fear, and death that come after such a honey-sweet taste and exhilaration. Just as most TV dramas show only the dramatic love affair and the final marriage or honeymoon, they are not responsible for the daily cleaning, laundry, or the dullness of everyday life after that. It guides us only to pleasure and pleasure. That's why verse 18 says, "But the fool does not know that the dead are there, and that his guests are in the depths of Sheol."
On the other hand, the writer of Proverbs advises not to reprove one with a haughty heart. That's a really wise word. It is very cautious to give advice or rebuke, no matter how big or small, to those who are doing well in the world, even those who are expanding their influence within the hierarchy or the church. Because such people have so many compliments around them, they are so arrogant that they regard them as hostility or opposition to themselves, no matter how loyal their advice may be. Considering the dynamics between those who hold undisputed power like the president today and those around them who give advice or rebuke, it is not always possible to give advice or rebuke to anyone! realization can be attained.
In the face of God's majesty that cannot be blamed for this spiritual structure, our response is awe. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowing the Holy One is understanding.” Verse 10 can become our motto, shining brightly in a world no matter how complex. Do you want to be wise? Once on your knees. Do you want the years of my life to be added? Beware and fear God. Do you want to benefit from wisdom? Experience who God is. It is in Him alone that the wisdom and direction of all life are contained, that is the earnest message that Proverbs 9 gives us today. In front of the two invitations of the true wise man and the false wise man, who cannot be easily distinguished even in today's day, I hope that we will follow the true wise man out of reverence for God. Today, as we wisely accept the reproof and advice that will be given to each of us, I sincerely hope that you and I will become wiser and more learned every day.