Proverbs 9: 1-6

Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table;
She has sent out her maidens, she calls
From the tops of the heights of the city:
"Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!"
To him who lacks understanding she says,
"Come, eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
"Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding."

Today's Thought Questions:

1. What's Wisdom doing?
2. How would you define the simple?

Just a few posts ago, we were reading about the preparations the adulteress was making for a would-be guest. Wisdom is also making preparations, although the scene is quite a bit different. She has built her home and it is supported by seven carved timber pillars. She is planning a dinner with a specially set table, and specially prepared food and drink. Then she and her maidens take to the streets, though their purpose for doing so is not at all what the adulteress had in mind.


"From the tops of the heights" they broadcast their dinner invitation to "the naive," "lacking understanding," "the simple." The Hebrew definitions seem far-apart, yet from our study so far, we know why they are paired--"the silly"; "the seducible." The Message paraphrase of verse 4 reads as such: "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?..." I think Wisdom's table could be quite full, as those she is calling are many!

Wisdom offers an enticing invitation, yet what she will fill our souls with is far more satisfying than where the enticing invitation of the adulteress leads. Again, I enjoy the wording of The Message paraphrase today, verse 6, "Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning." Love how this goes back to the poverty that is our heart when it is not filled with wisdom, and that the end result is life and life with meaning when we choose Wisdom!

I'm going to beat Kelli to bringing in the NT today! In studying the King James, verse 5, I was absolutely struck with NT thoughts:

"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled."

Our Lord Jesus invites His disciples to a meal.

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'"

--Matthew 26: 26-28

How about that invitation? Really, pretty much the same, if you think about it. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." (John 14:1) Wisdom will keep our hearts from troubled paths. Believe in God, of course! Jesus adds, "believe also in Me." Part of showing reverence to God is by recognizing the work of His Son on our behalf, and believing in Him. Jesus invites us to "meal" that gives us eternal fulfillment!

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

--John 10:10

Photo: http://www.quambyhomestead.com.au/banquet%20table.jpg

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Tomorrow's Scripture Focus and Thought Questions:

Proverbs 9: 7-12

1. Where does wisdom come from? (Read James 3: 13-17)
   
2. Verse 9 tells us of the importance of instruction. How do you personally receive correction or discipline? Throughout this book we will see the benefits of correctly receiving "rebukes." Read Proverbs 10: 17; 12:1; 13:13 and 15:32?
   

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Note: I read from the New American Standard Bible translation, specifically, The MacArthur Study Bible (NASB). I will quote other sources if used in a post.
I also use Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (with notes from the King James Version).