The Book of Proverbs

Chapter 9

As we go into chapter 9, we must try to take the plain scripture text literally for what it says and not try to make up some sort of allegorical meaning, unless it is obvious that it is not a literal interpretation and warrants a different meaning.  That however, does not happen very often.

Having said that, in our last chapter's teaching we finished where King Solomon pointed out to his audience how God in His wisdom created the heavens and the earth and He created it for mankind, whom He created on Day #6.  Solomon was pointing out how God Almighty was higher above what any man or any foreign god could ever be because He is the Creator of everything.

So, as we go into verse 1 of chapter 9, God, as wisdom, is showing mankind what a beautiful creation He has prepared for him to enjoy and steward over through the words of King Solomon.  

Wisdom Built God's Beautiful Creation 

Remember, wisdom is still speaking forth.    

Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; 

We must also remember that when this scripture was written, there were no divisions of chapters or verses, but just a continuation of writing.  So, the very next sentence, which for us is chapter 9 and verse 1, but when King Solomon wrote this whole section of scripture it just continued on by saying that wisdom has built her house (or should I say the earth) with all its beauty and provisions - sun, moon, stars, animal and fish life, grass, flowers, plants for food, fresh water, and everything mankind would ever need.  His provisions were complete.  As God has revealed Himself in nature, and having covenanted with mankind, we see here that the foundations of the earth has its seven pillars (meaning completion) to keep it firm and its boundaries were established and the earth belonged to mankind.  That's how much God loves His most beautiful creation of mankind - to provide the whole earth for him.

² She has slaughtered her meat,  She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. ³ She has sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city, 

While biblical scholars have varying opinions on this next section, I still want to keep everything in the same context of what we have been reading.  I personally see a comparison to the provisions that God has given mankind upon this earth similar to a banquet.  Wisdom continues to talk, representing the essence of God, by saying meat has been provided for the consumption of man through animal life upon the earth, grapes for juice and wine, grains in the field for bread, and with all that God has given man for food upon the earth, our tables are completely furnished.  He simply wants us to enjoy the provisions He has given us.

⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ⁵ “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding. 

We know sin entered into mankind, and because of that, mankind lost his fellowship with His Creator.  Wisdom in mankind left and was now gone.  Since then, God has always looked for a man - anyone - who would remain faithful to Him.  Throughout history, God looks for those who would be faithful to Him.

Now we see that wisdom is calling people to a banquet.  She, wisdom, is the agent of God, uses her servants who went to the highest places of the city where the people congregated and cried out:  "whoever is simply, come to me.  Are you hunger and thirsty, I have provided for you.  Let go of your foolishness.  I give you life to live, so take what I have and understand it so you can live."  God again, through wisdom, keeps offering Himself to mankind.

For us under the New Covenant, God keeps offering Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.  Who will come to Him?  Who will remain faithful to Him?  He keeps calling.  In reality, wisdom, God and Christ are all the same.  When we seek more of God's wisdom, we are seeking more of God.  They all go together.

Proverbs 9:7  "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.  ⁸ Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.  ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

Even though wisdom cries out wonderful things that man could never attain on his own, there will always be rebukers and scoffers who want to live life their way.  It could be that they think living life their way is more exciting, or they don't want to nor believe in God, or they think they can be wise without God, or whatever reason.  But regardless of their reasoning, it will never even come close to the wisdom of God.

Give wisdom to a fool and he will mock you, but give wisdom to a wise man, and he will thank you and become more wise.  Teach one who seeks wisdom, he will learn new things.  

So wisdom keeps calling.  Let's be the one's who need and seek after all that God, through Christ Jesus, has for us with His wisdom.

The Fear of the Lord

• How God deals with you may not be the way God deals with me.  We are all different and God knows exactly how to meet each one of us right where we are at at all times.

 
"For by me" - as it says here, we have wisdom talking - "for by me your life will be extended" - multiplied - even years added to your life.  Again, while this is a general principle for those who walk in the wisdom of God, there certainly are exceptions. 

But let's keep to the general principle of why wise people live longer.

• They think before they act, not making momentarily rash decisions
• Wise people lean on the Lord for Him to guide them
• They are not fools following whatever fancy strikes people at the moment

• Wise people, trusting in God, do not live in fear.  That alone will add years to your life.
  And the list goes on and on.

12  If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

The wise man and the fool directly affect the individual - how they act, how they perceive themselves and others, and how others perceive them.  While we don't seek wisdom for others, but for ourselves, how we are perceived is directly connected to a wise man walking in the wisdom of God. 

Wisdom will affect the individual in a positive way, having a good outlook upon life, gaining respect and recognition from others; whereas, the foolish will suffer his pain alone having regrets with those outside looking down upon him or her.   All this to say is that we all benefit or suffer from each other's character, but the ultimate gainer or loser is the person himself.

13 A foolish woman is clamorous; she is simple, and knows nothing.  14 For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat by the highest places of the city,  15 To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their way: 16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; and as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 17 “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Back in the time of King Solomon, women were the property of the husband (or father before marrying) and stayed at home.  The wife of the man took care of the children, nurturing them, while the man went out and brought in the needed funds to support the household.  The husband ruled the home while the woman cooked, cleaned, and made her house a home - being kind and gracious and hospitable to those her husband brought into the home, always ready to entertain guests who came into the home.  For a woman to leave her home, going out looking for fun meant one thing - she was a promiscious woman looking for a man.

It's a Trap