Proverbs 9 – The Way of Wisdom

Verses 1-6
In the first 6 verses of Proverbs 9, Wisdom is describing the feast she has prepared and she has sent out “her young maidens” to invite all who need wisdom. She only spends two verses telling about the preparations but she spends twice as many explaining how she has called for men who need wisdom and pleaded with them to leave their “simple ways”. And it isn’t like it would be a great hardship to follow her but rather a feast and something that is better for me in the long run.

Verses 7-9
Verses 7-9 describe the difference between a wise man and a “scoffer”; particularly with respect to receiving wisdom and instruction. I have to have an open heart to receive wisdom and walk in the “way of insight” in order to receive instruction. It isn’t just a passive action, but I have to take action to walk(or live) in the right way. If I am passive or have a closed heart and act as a scofer, than there is nothing that she can do for me.

Verses 10-12
These verses describe the benefits of following her. Verse 10 is one of my favorites…

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
      Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Verses 13-18
These final verses describe the way of folly. Pretty much the exact oppisite of Wisdom with one huge difference mentioned in the last verse…If you follow wisdom, you spend eternity in heven, if you follow folly….

Her guests are in the depths of the Sheol.