Proverbs 9

1 Lady Wisdom has built and furnished her home; it's supported by seven hewn timbers.

2 The banquet meal is ready to be served: lamb roasted, wine poured out, table set with silver and flowers.

3 Having dismissed her serving maids, Lady Wisdom goes to town, stands in a prominent place, and invites everyone within sound of her voice:

4 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!

5 I've prepared a wonderful spread - fresh-baked bread, roast lamb, carefully selected wines.

6 Leave your impoverished confusion and live! Walk up the street to a life with meaning."

7 If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you'll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.

8 So don't waste your time on a scoffer; all you'll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that's different - they'll love you for it!

9 Save your breath for the wise - they'll be wiser for it; tell good people what you know - they'll profit from it.

10 Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God, insight into life from knowing a Holy God.

11 It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens, and the years of your life ripen.

12 Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life; mock life and life will mock you. Madame Whore Calls Out, Too

13 Then there's this other woman, Madame Whore - brazen, empty-headed, frivolous.

14 She sits on the front porch of her house on Main Street,

15 And as people walk by minding their own business, calls out,

16 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on?

17 Steal off with me, I'll show you a good time! No one will ever know - I'll give you the time of your life."

18 But they don't know about all the skeletons in her closet, that all her guests end up in hell.

Proverbs 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

The invitations of Wisdom. (1-12) The invitations of folly. (13-18)

Verses 1-12 Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as well as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go forth to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that do not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We must keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we never can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the company of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we must join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God; it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who slight it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it will add to thy condemnation.

Verses 13-18 How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty, unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be with him in glory.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 9

In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, is represented as having built a stately house or palace for the entertainment of his guests, Pr 9:1; as having made large and suitable provisions for them, Pr 9:2; and as having sent his servants to invite them to come and partake of them, and quit all other company but his, Pr 9:3-6; When it is observed who are and who are not to be reproved, with the reasons of it, Pr 9:7-9; and what is the sum and substance of true wisdom; and what the advantages of it both here and hereafter, Pr 9:10-12; And the chapter is concluded with the description of the foolish woman, the opposite of Wisdom; who is represented as clamorous, simple, and ignorant, Pr 9:13; and plying passengers that go by her door, and inviting them in to partake of her provisions, Pr 9:14-17; the consequence of which is sure and certain death and destruction to her guests, Pr 9:18.