Pro 9:1-6 | KingComments | STEP | This chapter is the conclusion and also summary of Proverbs 1-8 which is the introduction to this book. Both woman Wisdom and woman Folly make a final appeal. The two women illustrate the teaching of the previous eight chapters. They both address the naive ( ), those who lack wisdom. They are the gullible. They need wisdom to live, but they are very easily influenced by foolishness. Both women compete for their favor. They each do so in their own way with appropriate results. To respond to the invitation of woman Wisdom means to enter life. To accept the invitation of woman Folly means to enter the realm of the dead. Woman Wisdom offers life without saying anything about pleasure. Woman Folly offers pleasure without saying anything about death. Woman Wisdom is portrayed as the Builder and Dweller of a beautiful house Who sends Her maids out to invite guests. Woman Folly is portrayed as a lewd woman who sits on a chair by the door of her house and lures passersby to come to her. Both women have organized a feast with a meal. Wisdom, Who appears here for the last time in these introductory chapters, is also called “the highest Wisdom” ( ). This means that in Her is a fullness of wisdom; all wisdom is in Her. Again, we see in this a clear picture of Christ “in Whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden” ( ). Of Her it is said that She “has built Her house”. It is about something new, made by Her and available to all who respond to Her invitation. It is Her house. She has built it not only for Herself, but in it She wants to receive others and make them feel at home. Her house is a huge contrast to the house of the harlot. The harlot does not build Her house, but demolishes it. Wisdom also “has hewn out her seven pillars” to have Her house rest on them. The number seven speaks of completeness, without defect, and perfection, without lack. The building is established on a perfect foundation, making it unshakable. James mentions seven characteristics of “the wisdom from above” ( ), which we can apply to the seven pillars. They are characteristics that can be perfectly seen in the Lord Jesus. 1. The first characteristic of wisdom is that it is “pure”. James emphasizes the importance of this by saying of purity that it takes the “first” place. The following characteristics flow from this. Purity is a first requirement because it is about Christ Who is pure. 2. Wisdom is “then peaceable”. Christ is the great Peacemaker. Whoever accepts Him and becomes wise will also be a peacemaker. The Lord Jesus also speaks in the Sermon on the Mount first about purity and then peace ( ). 3. A next pillar of the house of woman Wisdom is called “gentle”. It is a house in which no one stands up for his own rights. How gentle was Christ. 4. He who is wise is also “reasonable”. Christ was willing to do what His Father told Him to do, that is, He complied completely with His Father’s will. It will also be so with everyone who accepts the invitation of Wisdom. 5. In His relationship to others, Christ was “full of mercy and good fruits”. He was and is compassionate to others who are in misery and is a blessing to them. Everyone who is wise will be so. 6. Christ was and is “without partiality” in His dealings with others. He neither favors nor excludes anyone. There is no regard for persons with Him, just as there is none with those who are wise. 7. Finally, He was and is “without hypocrisy”. There is no hypocrisy with Him. He does not pretend to be anything other than what He is, but is Who He says He is. The same is true of everyone who is wise. Wisdom has not only prepared the house and the pillars. She has also prepared everything in that house Herself to receive and provide food for the guests ( ). The menu consists of meat and wine, of food and drink, of the best kind. That “She has slaughtered her slaughter” shows that She uses Her own cattle. In this we can see a reference to Christ Who gave Himself in death as a provision for sinners. Only on the basis of His death can they come to the banquet. So to speak, it is not a vegetarian banquet, but a banquet for which blood has been shed and where meat is eaten. In picture, or in terms of its spiritual meaning, it is about eating the flesh of the Son of Man and drinking His blood. Eating it gives a person eternal life, but this must be followed by eating it continually ( ). Since, given the invitation of woman Wisdom, others may eat of this flesh, we can think of Christ as the peace offering. The peace offering represents Christ in His work on the cross on the basis of which fellowship with Him, with God and with one another is possible (cf. ). This banquet, where fellowship is experienced, gives not only life but also joy. We see that joy in the wine She has mixed. Wine is a picture of joy ( ; ). She also took care of the wine. She has mixed it with water or with spices so that it is of the best quality. The wine speaks of utter joy that is enjoyed when there is fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another ( ). Next we see that She has “also” set Her table ready. The word “also” indicates an additional activity. A “table” speaks of fellowship, of possessing something in common and sharing it. That it says “Her table” means that Her concern is not only about providing food and drink for the guests, but also eating and drinking with them. “Her table” expresses fellowship with Her, sharing in what is Her portion. When Wisdom has prepared everything to receive the guests, She sends out “Her maidens” ( ). Through them She calls “from the tops of the heights of the city”. The maidens echo Her voice. She makes every effort to reach everyone with Her invitation. Everyone can hear Her, for She “calls”. Everyone can see Her, for She occupies a high place in the city. Thus Christ sends out His servants with His invitation to come to His banquet. And whom does She invite? Everyone who is naive and acknowledges it, for he is asked to turn in to Her ( ). What She makes, Her house, is spacious and has an unshakable foundation ( ). What She offers, Her meal, is regal ( ). Those whom She invites do not fit in. They are the opposite of regal, for they come from the streets and lack any qualification to be there. The Lord Jesus uses the same picture in a parable (cf. ). Therefore, something must happen before someone accepts the invitation. For the call to come also implies a call to repentance. This is echoed in the words “let him turn in here”. What Wisdom offers can only be enjoyed if the path of sin is abandoned. He who recognizes that “understanding” lacks him, will turn from his foolish path; he will leave that path, repent, and come to Wisdom. She invites, not just to come and see, but to come and eat of Her bread and drink of the wine She has mixed ( ). How many people continue to stand at a distance looking at what Christ offers without actually accepting the eternal life He offers. Some think it is too easy. You cannot just accept it. They believe that something has to be done by them first. Others want to enjoy life first. They believe they can decide for themselves when they will come. But it is an invitation without conditions and also an invitation that must be accepted unconditionally. All the invitees must do is come and do so immediately (cf. ). Any excuse not to accept the invitation (cf. ) falls under “folly” that must be forsaken. Those who forsake them will live. As long as conversion has not taken place, a person is in death. But whoever listens to the voice of Wisdom, that is, the voice of the Son of God, will pass from death into life ( ). This is life in its true and full sense that is offered at conversion. Those who repent and live “proceed in the way of understanding”, which is the way in which one demonstrates understanding, a conduct and walk determined by understanding. It is the path on which the believer seeks fellowship with God and His own. On that path, Scripture is read and consulted and God’s guidance is sought in prayer. The counsel or instruction of fellow believers is also valued. These things demonstrate understanding. Christ, the Wisdom of God, is no longer on earth. He has become the exalted Wisdom, glorified at the right hand of God. The Wisdom of God now becomes visible, is expressed, in the building of a spiritual house, the church. This house consists of the many sons whom Christ leads to glory. They know God and the mysteries, enabling them to live their life in the light of eternity.

‏ Proverbs 9:1-6

Introduction

This chapter is the conclusion and also summary of Proverbs 1-8 which is the introduction to this book. Both woman Wisdom and woman Folly make a final appeal. The two women illustrate the teaching of the previous eight chapters.

They both address the naive (Pro 9:4 ; 16), those who lack wisdom. They are the gullible. They need wisdom to live, but they are very easily influenced by foolishness. Both women compete for their favor. They each do so in their own way with appropriate results. To respond to the invitation of woman Wisdom means to enter life. To accept the invitation of woman Folly means to enter the realm of the dead. Woman Wisdom offers life without saying anything about pleasure. Woman Folly offers pleasure without saying anything about death.

Woman Wisdom is portrayed as the Builder and Dweller of a beautiful house Who sends Her maids out to invite guests. Woman Folly is portrayed as a lewd woman who sits on a chair by the door of her house and lures passersby to come to her. Both women have organized a feast with a meal.

The Invitation of Wisdom

Wisdom, Who appears here for the last time in these introductory chapters, is also called “the highest Wisdom” (Pro 9:1). This means that in Her is a fullness of wisdom; all wisdom is in Her. Again, we see in this a clear picture of Christ “in Whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden” (Col 2:3).

Of Her it is said that She “has built Her house”. It is about something new, made by Her and available to all who respond to Her invitation. It is Her house. She has built it not only for Herself, but in it She wants to receive others and make them feel at home. Her house is a huge contrast to the house of the harlot. The harlot does not build Her house, but demolishes it.

Wisdom also “has hewn out her seven pillars” to have Her house rest on them. The number seven speaks of completeness, without defect, and perfection, without lack. The building is established on a perfect foundation, making it unshakable.

James mentions seven characteristics of “the wisdom from above” (Jam 3:17), which we can apply to the seven pillars. They are characteristics that can be perfectly seen in the Lord Jesus.

1. The first characteristic of wisdom is that it is “pure”. James emphasizes the importance of this by saying of purity that it takes the “first” place. The following characteristics flow from this. Purity is a first requirement because it is about Christ Who is pure.

2. Wisdom is “then peaceable”. Christ is the great Peacemaker. Whoever accepts Him and becomes wise will also be a peacemaker. The Lord Jesus also speaks in the Sermon on the Mount first about purity and then peace (Mt 5:8-9).

3. A next pillar of the house of woman Wisdom is called “gentle”. It is a house in which no one stands up for his own rights. How gentle was Christ.

4. He who is wise is also “reasonable”. Christ was willing to do what His Father told Him to do, that is, He complied completely with His Father’s will. It will also be so with everyone who accepts the invitation of Wisdom.

5. In His relationship to others, Christ was “full of mercy and good fruits”. He was and is compassionate to others who are in misery and is a blessing to them. Everyone who is wise will be so.

6. Christ was and is “without partiality” in His dealings with others. He neither favors nor excludes anyone. There is no regard for persons with Him, just as there is none with those who are wise.

7. Finally, He was and is “without hypocrisy”. There is no hypocrisy with Him. He does not pretend to be anything other than what He is, but is Who He says He is. The same is true of everyone who is wise.

Wisdom has not only prepared the house and the pillars. She has also prepared everything in that house Herself to receive and provide food for the guests (Pro 9:2). The menu consists of meat and wine, of food and drink, of the best kind.

That “She has slaughtered her slaughter” shows that She uses Her own cattle. In this we can see a reference to Christ Who gave Himself in death as a provision for sinners. Only on the basis of His death can they come to the banquet. So to speak, it is not a vegetarian banquet, but a banquet for which blood has been shed and where meat is eaten.

In picture, or in terms of its spiritual meaning, it is about eating the flesh of the Son of Man and drinking His blood. Eating it gives a person eternal life, but this must be followed by eating it continually (Jn 6:53-56). Since, given the invitation of woman Wisdom, others may eat of this flesh, we can think of Christ as the peace offering. The peace offering represents Christ in His work on the cross on the basis of which fellowship with Him, with God and with one another is possible (cf. 1Cor 5:7-8).

This banquet, where fellowship is experienced, gives not only life but also joy. We see that joy in the wine She has mixed. Wine is a picture of joy (Jdg 9:13; Psa 104:15). She also took care of the wine. She has mixed it with water or with spices so that it is of the best quality. The wine speaks of utter joy that is enjoyed when there is fellowship with the Father and the Son and with one another (1Jn 1:1-4).

Next we see that She has “also” set Her table ready. The word “also” indicates an additional activity. A “table” speaks of fellowship, of possessing something in common and sharing it. That it says “Her table” means that Her concern is not only about providing food and drink for the guests, but also eating and drinking with them. “Her table” expresses fellowship with Her, sharing in what is Her portion.

When Wisdom has prepared everything to receive the guests, She sends out “Her maidens” (Pro 9:3). Through them She calls “from the tops of the heights of the city”. The maidens echo Her voice. She makes every effort to reach everyone with Her invitation. Everyone can hear Her, for She “calls”. Everyone can see Her, for She occupies a high place in the city. Thus Christ sends out His servants with His invitation to come to His banquet.

And whom does She invite? Everyone who is naive and acknowledges it, for he is asked to turn in to Her (Pro 9:4). What She makes, Her house, is spacious and has an unshakable foundation (Pro 9:1). What She offers, Her meal, is regal (Pro 9:2). Those whom She invites do not fit in. They are the opposite of regal, for they come from the streets and lack any qualification to be there. The Lord Jesus uses the same picture in a parable (cf. Lk 14:21-23).

Therefore, something must happen before someone accepts the invitation. For the call to come also implies a call to repentance. This is echoed in the words “let him turn in here”. What Wisdom offers can only be enjoyed if the path of sin is abandoned. He who recognizes that “understanding” lacks him, will turn from his foolish path; he will leave that path, repent, and come to Wisdom.

She invites, not just to come and see, but to come and eat of Her bread and drink of the wine She has mixed (Pro 9:5). How many people continue to stand at a distance looking at what Christ offers without actually accepting the eternal life He offers.

Some think it is too easy. You cannot just accept it. They believe that something has to be done by them first. Others want to enjoy life first. They believe they can decide for themselves when they will come. But it is an invitation without conditions and also an invitation that must be accepted unconditionally. All the invitees must do is come and do so immediately (cf. Isa 55:1).

Any excuse not to accept the invitation (cf. Lk 14:18-20) falls under “folly” that must be forsaken. Those who forsake them will live. As long as conversion has not taken place, a person is in death. But whoever listens to the voice of Wisdom, that is, the voice of the Son of God, will pass from death into life (Jn 5:24). This is life in its true and full sense that is offered at conversion.

Those who repent and live “proceed in the way of understanding”, which is the way in which one demonstrates understanding, a conduct and walk determined by understanding. It is the path on which the believer seeks fellowship with God and His own. On that path, Scripture is read and consulted and God’s guidance is sought in prayer. The counsel or instruction of fellow believers is also valued. These things demonstrate understanding.

Christ, the Wisdom of God, is no longer on earth. He has become the exalted Wisdom, glorified at the right hand of God. The Wisdom of God now becomes visible, is expressed, in the building of a spiritual house, the church. This house consists of the many sons whom Christ leads to glory. They know God and the mysteries, enabling them to live their life in the light of eternity.