Proverbs 9:1-18

God’s Saving Word: Wisdom

Introduction

Proverbs 9:1-18: Both Wisdom and Stupidity call out, extending invitations for passers-by to partake of what each offers. Wisdom exhorts her listeners to follow the way of knowledge; following Stupidity’s ways will lead to death.

Scripture Reading

Wisdom and Stupidity

9 Wisdom has built her house and made seven columns for it. ² She has had an animal killed for a feast, mixed spices in the wine, and set the table. ³ She has sent her servant women to call out from the highest place in town: ⁴ “Come in, ignorant people!” And to the foolish she says, ⁵ “Come, eat my food and drink the wine that I have mixed. ⁶ Leave the company of ignorant people, and live. Follow the way of knowledge.”

⁷ If you correct conceited people, you will only be insulted. If you reprimand evil people, you will only get hurt. ⁸ Never correct conceited people; they will hate you for it. But if you correct the wise, they will respect you. ⁹ Anything you say to the wise will make them wiser. Whatever you tell the righteous will add to their knowledge.

¹⁰ To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding. ¹¹ Wisdom will add years to your life. ¹² You are the one who will profit if you have wisdom, and if you reject it, you are the one who will suffer.

¹³ Stupidity is like a loud, ignorant, shameless woman.^[a] 14 She sits at the door of her house or on a seat in the highest part of town, ¹⁵ and calls out to people passing by, who are minding their own business: ¹⁶ “Come in, ignorant people!” To the foolish she says, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweeter. Stolen bread tastes better.” ¹⁸ Her victims do not know that the people die who go to her house, that those who have already entered are now deep in the world of the dead.

Today’s Key Verse: Proverbs 9:10

To be wise you must first have reverence for the LORD. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

Reflect

Today’s passage begins with Wisdom preparing a feast. What does her “food and drink” represent? What does she offer? What advice does she give? What does Stupidity offer? What is the fate of her victims? What, in today’s terms, would constitute “stolen water” and “stolen bread” (verse 17)? What can you do to avoid temptation?

Pray

Lord God, remind me that true wisdom begins with having reverence for you. Grant me understanding that comes from knowing you, the Holy One. Help me not to ignore or abandon Wisdom’s call, and guard me from worldly distractions that attempt to lure me away from your truth and the good that you desire for me. Amen.

And now, join us in prayer for the continued availability of Bibles for the people in Madagascar. Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. In recent years, Bibles have been so scarce that some evangelists in rural areas have resorted to hand-copying long sections of Scripture to help share the Good News with others. But thanks to the generous support of Bible Society friends, the “1 Million Bibles for Madagascar” project is making a difference in this country. Thank you, Lord God, that Bibles, audio Bibles, and Scripture resources—all in the heart language of the people—are now available to people who live in Madagascar’s 23 rural regions. Praise to you, Lord God, that your Word is transforming lives and people are learning how much you love them. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

1 Corinthians 1:1-17: The apostle Paul addresses the church in Corinth about problems that have arisen.