Proverbs 9.
We have been occupied with the wisdom and intelligence needed—and provided by God—for the earthly path of the believer, and in the latter part of chapter 8 the Divine Author told us of Him who is Wisdom itself, the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. There remains, to complete the story, the place of rest and joy at the end of the path. For there is more for us who trust in Him than an earthly path or pilgrimage; there remaineth a rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:99There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)).
“Wisdom hath built her house,” perfect in strength and endurance. Food and drink for a feast have been prepared; the table is ready and wisdom’s maidens have been sent forth. The invitation is being cried upon the summits of the high places,
“Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither .... Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine that I have mingled. Forsake follies and live, and go in the way of intelligence” (verses 4-6 N.T.).
This is not the full story of the gospel. but O, how it tells of a God who delights in giving. His is always the more blessed part of giving, .and it is man’s to receive, if he will. If we view these verses as earthly in their application, we are remind ed of the position of security, peace and joy that is ours now who trust in Jesus. But looking on to the end of our pilgrim age, we think of the rest of glory, the Father’s house. There the returned prodigal was received, though first greeted with the Father’s kisses and clad in the best robe, the ring of eternal love put on his hand, and sandals for the walk put on his feet. (Luke 15:20-2420And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:20‑24)).
This loving entreaty of divine wisdom is met by some with scorn, as we know. The scorners and the wicked will not regard the word brought to them for their instruction or reproof, but the wise will love him who reproves. The wise become wiser, and the righteous increase learning, for they willingly accept teaching (verses 7-9).
The fear (holy regard) of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom (verse 10), as well as of knowledge (chapter 1:7), and the knowledge of the Holy (or of holy things), is intelligence. The knowledge of God is the very foundation of the believer’s life; upon it, is built all that will endure to eternity of our works.
A final warning is contained in the closing verses, speaking of the foolish woman. In her is no fear of the Lord; she calls to the passers-by on life’s way, inviting them deceitfully in the very words of wisdom (compare verses 4 and 16), but she has no feast to offer. Her offer is of forbid den things, the desire for which Satan first awakened in the garden of Eden when he tempted Eve with the lie that God was withholding what was good, and he has pursued the same tactics with Adam’s children ever since. The only right life is one lived in the fear of God. And God here shows the end of a course of sin: the foolish woman’s guests die in the hopeless state of the lost (see verses 18 and 19 of chapter 2).
Messages of God’s Love 5/22/1932