He
layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)
A Grand Comparison: The Foolish Can Only Harm
Those Who Seek Her: Prov 9:13-17
13) A foolish woman [is]
clamorous: [she is] simple, and
knoweth nothing.
14) For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high
places of the city,
15) To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16) Whoso [is] simple, let
him turn in hither: and [as for] him
that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
17) Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
INTRODUCTION:
In this set of
Proverbs we find the 2nd part of a split comparison that was begun
in verses 1-3. In vs 1-3, it was taught that Wisdom only benefits those who
follow her teachings…
1. Wisdom provides a
place where her students can reside. Wisdom’s
perfect instructions proceed from the Lord and are a firm foundation for the
life of God’s people. When God’s people use wisdom as their residence, making
wisdom an active part of their lifestyle, they can find peace, safety, security
and a fulfilled life of service to Him.
2. Wisdom supplies a
meal that is suited for those receiving it… for the mature she gives meat; for
the sickly she gives wine; etc. Wisdom,
the application of God’s Word to the life, will meet every possible need and provide
the needed counsel for any situation the Christian might face in life.
3. Wisdom actively
seeks out those in need, allowing her voice to be heard by as many as possible.
For
both the lost and saved, there is great benefit to accepting the teachings of
wisdom and making them a living part of their lifestyle.
Now the comparison
continues by looking at how foolishness only hurts those who follow her
teachings….
EXPOSITION:
13) A foolish woman [is]
clamorous: [she is] simple, and
knoweth nothing.
In
these proverbs, a foolish woman is used to emphasize the results of foolishness
in the lives of those who are her followers.
This is in direct comparison to previous references to wisdom, also
pictured by a woman, who was of great benefit to her students.
The
results of foolishness include:
1.
clamorous – to make noises meant to distract and gain attention
2.
simple – easily seduced or misled
3.
knowing nothing – to be unable to discern true nature of teachings, events, or
decisions
“If any man teach
otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy,
strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,
supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
14) For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high
places of the city, 15) To call passengers who go right on their ways:
4.
The foolish woman sits at the door of her home, inviting the innocent to come
and receive her false teachings. She
goes to the high places of the city to call out for followers. (This is very similar to wisdom sending forth
her virgins form her home to the high places to invite the needy to come and
have their needs fulfilled vs 3-6)
5.
The invitation of the foolish is pointed towards those who were innocently going
about their business, having no idea of the seduction that would be taking
place.
“And, behold, there met him
a woman [with] the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. (She [is] loud and
stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: Now [is she] without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every
corner.)” (Proverbs 7:10-12)
16) Whoso [is] simple, let
him turn in hither: and [as for] him
that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17) Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant.
The
message is two fold:
1.
to those who are easily misled… turn form the path you are on and come into my
home and receive my offerings.
2.
to those who are lacking the discernment and resolve to do right…. It’s ok to
partake of that which is unlawful… it is pleasant to the taste and easily hidden
from the view of others. They will bring
satisfaction and beauty to those who partake of it.
“And when the woman saw
that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and
a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit
thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were]
naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Genesis 3:6-7)
SUMMARY:
What
a difference can be seen between the actions and motives of wisdom and those of
foolishness! By God’s grace, let us all
seek after wisdom and her teachings, realizing that she is working for our good
and God’s glory.
By
God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value
that they deserve.
May the
Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.
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