Proverbs 9.1-6
“Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs has been painting a picture of two very different “women” competing for our affections: Lady Wisdom and the immoral woman. Lady Wisdom will give you insight and discernment and will grant you life. The immoral woman is Folly and will deceive you and then kill you.
Proverbs 9 is the final statement in the (very long) introduction to the book of Proverbs, and it sums up all that came before and sets up all that comes after.
This chapter presents you with a choice. It portrays two houses, one on either side of the road. On one side, there is a house with an elegant lady named Wisdom inviting you in. On the other side of the road there is another house with a seductive woman named Folly inviting you to enter.
Which invitation will you accept?
It’s a choice between being wise and being a fool—between life and death. The choice you make will determine what path you will live: the path of wisdom which leads to life or the path of folly which leads to death.
This corresponds to what we teach at Focus 3. There is a line in life, and every day you are either above that line or below it. Above the line is discipline-driven behavior, or what Proverbs calls the way of wisdom. It leads to life. Below the line is default-driven behavior, or what Proverbs calls the way of the fool. It leads to death.
Discipline-driven
Way of Wisdom >> Life
=========================
Default-driven
Way of the folly >> Death
Discipline-driven behavior is intentional, on-purpose, and skillful. It pursues wisdom because it respects and honors God. (This is what Proverbs means when it says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”)
Default-driven behavior is impulsive, on autopilot, and resistant. It rejects wisdom because it is arrogant, self-centered, and lazy.
As you can read in this passage, Lady Wisdom spares no expense. She has built a strong and stable house, prepared a wonderful meal, and sent her servants out to invite everyone in the community to her home.
In particular she calls to those who lack wisdom … the “simple” and “him who lacks sense.” These are people who are in danger of going the wrong direction in life; the people easily deceived and seduced. Lady Wisdom is offering to correct and redirect them; to get off the wrong path and get on the right path; to reject the folly of default and commit to the wisdom of discipline.
Remember the verse from chapter 6 that we looked at carefully and that I encourage you to memorize? “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” (Proverbs 6:23)
Let the truth of God’s timeless principles direct you and correct you. Commit to the disciplined process of musar and get better every day.
Trust God, pursue wisdom, and do the work.
