Solomon continues his instruction on Wisdom which is his focus throughout the book of Proverbs, but even more specifically in the first nine Proverbs. In this ninth Proverb he compares the Wisdom of God (v.1-6) with the advice of a “foolish woman” (v.13-18). He uses some of the same words comparing the Wisdom of God with the foolish. Both appeal from: “The high places of the city” and both say: “Whoso is simple let him turn in hither: as for him that lack understanding, she says to him”. And, “bread” appears in both accounts. Then, sandwiched in between these two comparisons is instruction on how to handle the scorner and scorning with the Wisdom of God (v.7-12).
Notice how God’s Wisdom makes extensive preparation before: “She cries upon the high places of the city” and invites men to come. God’s wisdom is stable and permanent: “Wisdom has builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars” (v.1). God’s Wisdom supplies extensive and prosperous nourishment both Spiritually and physically: “She hath killed her beasts; she has mingled her wine; she has also furnished her table.”(v.2).God is preparing to invite Believers as: “She has sent forth her maidens: crying upon the high places of the city” (v.3).
Then, Wisdom gives her invitation to “Come eat of my bread” (v.5) similar to the “Come and dine” (John 21:12) invitation the Lord Jesus Christ gave to His disciples right before He ascended to heaven. This invitation by the Lord to Believers demonstrates His continuing willingness to invite men to come unto Him. This is at least the fourth time He puts forth an invitation utilizing the word “Come”. Right at the start of His public ministry He called His disciples: “Come ye after Me and I will make you to become fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) Then in Matthew 11:28-30 He said: “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
In John 7:37-39 Jesus said: “In the last day that great day of the feast Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth on Me as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”
While many preachers and those who believe they are called to the Gospel ministry do not give invitations, it is obvious to even the casual observer that Jesus appealed to the lost in the John 7:37-39 passage, and, He gave an earnest public invitation to anyone who wanted to “Come” regardless, and receive His blessing!! Whether it is for salvation of the soul, discipleship decisions or forgiveness of sin, ALL were welcome and invited to “Come” by the Lord Jesus!! The Wisdom of God, the Lord Jesus, in the Proverb for the Day is still saying: “Come and dine” to those who want to partake of the sumptuous Spiritual meal He has prepared for ANY and ALL who desire His forgiveness and the fellowship and blessing of those who obey His invitation to Come to the Savior of mankind, our blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
But, the evil invitation of the “foolish woman” is deadly, even though she uses many of the same words to deceive the man who lacks understanding. Be sure, Drivers, your sin will find you out! For, regardless of the masquerade posed by the devil himself, his trap and its consequences are certain, as it is written, for the man who is deceived into taking the foolish woman’s bait: “Knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”(Proverb 9:18)
“For her house inclines unto death; and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again; neither take they hold of the paths of life.” (Proverb 2:18, 19)
“But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.” (Proverb 5:4, 5)
“But whoso commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding: he that does it destroys his own soul. A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. (Proverb 6:32, 33)
“Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.” (Proverb 7:27)