“Wisdom has built her house; she has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. ‘Let all who are simple come in here,’ she says to those who lack judgment.” Proverbs 9:1a;3-4
“The woman Folly is loud; she sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by who go straight on their way, ‘Let all who are simple come in here!’ she says to those who lack judgment.” Proverbs 9:13a; 14-16.
As I was reading Proverbs, Chapter 9 the other day I saw something that I had never noticed before. Wisdom and Folly are both at the highest point of the city and both are crying out to people to come in to them. I had a picture in my mind of two houses set on a hill at the highest point of the city. Wisdom’s house is beautiful, serene, classic in style. Folly’s house is loud like she is, garish but enticing at the same time. Folly’s house is just a little bit closer to the city so those going to Wisdom’s house have to pass it first. “…calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way.” (vs. 15). Folly is trying to waylay those who are seeking Wisdom. She entices them to come to her house, to dine, instead of continuing next door to Wisdom’s house. “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” (vs. 17).
As Wisdom is calling out, “Let all who are simple come in here!” (vs. 4a), Folly is mimicking her, saying the same thing to entice the simple to come to her first. “Let all who are simple come in here!” (vs. 16a).What a deception! Folly’s house contains all the worldly delights and pleasures of sin. She advertises them, seeking to turn the simple away from their path to Wisdom’s door. Wisdom calls out even louder, hoping that the simple will not turn in, to Folly’s house. Wisdom’s house is filled with the delights of the Lord, understanding, discretion, good judgment and life. “Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” (vs. 6). Wisdom promises understanding and long life to those who will come in and partake of her godly delights. What is the promise of Folly? “But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.” (vs. 18). Folly only promises death and the grave. No matter how appealing Folly’s house looks, it contains only ruin and destruction.
Which house will you choose to visit? Is Folly’s house worth the stop along the path to Wisdom? We have all been there at some time in our lives, but do we want to stay there? Do we really want to pay the price of Folly? Let’s make sure we never again turn off the path to go to Folly’s house but go straight to Wisdom’s. At the door she will welcome us with these words, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.” (vs. 5,10,11). Wisdom’s house is by far the better choice! Run directly there. Don’t stop!
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