1Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars; 2she has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table; 3she has sent out her maidens, she calls from the tops of the heights of the city: 4“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding, she says, 5“Come, eat of my food and drink of the wine I have mixed. 6Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
Chapter nine of Proverbs finishes the preamble to the proverbial statements that take up chapters 10-31. In a recap fashion, the first six verses present wisdom personified as a woman setting up seven household pillars and, through her hospitality, invites all who will come to dine on the understanding she provides. What do the “seven pillars” signify? Interpreters give various suggestions: the seven identifying characteristics of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:2) indicating the character of this woman’s household; simply a sign of her character where seven carries a connotation of perfection; or enumerating the seven phrases that begin this section—she has built, hewn, prepared, mixed, set, sent, calls.
Regardless, wisdom, as we have seen throughout the previous eight chapters, calls out to the “naïve” (or “simple” ESV, NIV, NKJV). Ignorance and naivete are understandable in someone young and not mature—they just have not learned wisdom yet. But to stay in that condition is foolishness; there is no excuse. The simpleton must not hide behind his lack of understanding but consciously seek out and take the path of wisdom and understanding. Wisdom is an inviting home for all.
Verses 7-12 teach us not to waste time with people who are out-and-out wicked and scoff at the notion of wisdom. On the other hand, interacting with a wise person will build relationships and community. The wise teaching the wise is a win-win for both. And surrounding the teaching of Proverbs is the core foundational instruction to fear the Lord (see Prov. 1:7 and 9:10).
Finally, in contrast to the first six verses, the last section (vss. 13-18) reiterates the teaching of earlier chapters of this book about the woman of folly. While the surface illustration applies to following the path of sexual enticement, the higher contrast with the woman of wisdom is too obvious to miss. Wisdom is like a woman with a well-ordered house providing a welcoming place for those who seek understanding; folly (foolishness) is like a woman who tempts a young man to illicit sexual pleasure at the cost of his life. As Jesus said, “Wisdom is vindicated by all her children.” (Luke 7:35). The choice between wisdom and folly will be evident in the results.
Lord, I commit to ordering my life by pursuing understanding and not fleshly enjoyment.
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