Proverbs 9:13-18, Folly’s Feast!

April 14, Proverbs 9:13-18

Luke 12:1-9 “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).

Folly’s Feast!

The Introduction to Proverbs ends here with a contrasted picture of Wisdom and Folly. She, too, has her house, has provided her entertainment, and invites her guests. The two houses are over against each other, on opposite sides of the way. It is her purpose to prevent those who pass by from entering Wisdom’s House. As already noted, some believe that Wisdom is merely an attribute or likeness of God, and thus they argue here that Folly is only a metaphor, over against Wisdom (Pr. 9:1). Hebrew introduces the word woman jointly with folly, whereas Wisdom stands alone. “May not a study of that picture lead to an opposite conclusion? Folly is no mere abstraction; she is a sinful woman of impure life, whose guests are in the depths of hell. Folly enhances our impression that Wisdom is personal” (Liddon). Who is this Temptress? The work of Lady Folly is the work of the Evil One, the real antagonist of the Divine Wisdom. Coupled with the language of v.17 it seems clear that one particular form of vice, not vice generally, is in view here.

1. She is Ignorant. Three words are used to describe her (v.13). She is a foolish woman, a woman of stupidity, the absolute opposite of Wisdom. She is simplicity itself, in its worst sense. She is also without knowledge. She is blind to spiritual realities. She is clever, and qualified in the ways of the world. Yet she is spiritually ignorant, not unlike many highly qualified and gifted, but radical, women today. Her world is one of darkness and doom. She is the scorner of verse 12.

2. She is Insistent. Clamorous (vs.13,15) also means boisterous, turbulent (Pr. 7:11). She is full of noise and seductive talk. This word is used to describe the effects of strong drink. Thus she sweeps away all objections to her appeals. Can this be why modern music has to be so loud? It, too, drowns out any serious thought of the end result of the moment.

3. She is Insolent. She sits in the high places. She is without any restraints. Wisdom was always, however importunate, a gracious Lady. Modesty, so becoming to virtue, has utterly departed from Lady Folly. She is cheeky and defiant, and as bold as brass. She shamelessly presents herself in the highest places. Bunyan never tired of reminding us that the highway of God, though a path of safety, is beset with temptations.

4. She is Injurious. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. Then she adds for good measure, Stolen waters are sweet. She pursues the unwary to their doom. “Eve had to be convinced that the sweetness would survive the stealing; we have fallen far enough to be persuaded that it depends on it” (Kidner). She brags that what she offers, though wrong, is the more desirable, for all that. She is a picture of the type the Devil uses for his evil ends. She knows she has the heart of man wholly in her grasp.

Thought: Sin is no less earnest to destroy, than Wisdom to save.

Prayer: To be kept by the Power of God unto salvation.