Proverbs 9:13-18, Folly’s Fate!

April 15, Proverbs 9:13-18

Eph. 2:1-10; 2 Pet. 3:1-7 “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret [sins]” (Ps. 19:12).

Folly’s Fate!

This is no imaginary picture, but one drawn from real life. “Mankind has sat for the picture; there is no mistake in the outline, there is no exaggeration the colouring” (Arnot).

1. The Traveller: The purpose of this Tempter is to call passengers who are travelling right on their ways (v.15). They are young men who were trained in the way of truth and right, and seem determined to go right on. It is such as these that Folly has her special designs on, and she will try all her arts and crafts to bring them under her power. All are travelers on life’s path, but where is it taking us?

2. The Tenderfoot: She also includes the simple ones without knowledge in her call, and tries to persuade them to partake of stolen waters. They too are young, who intend to keep right on. Yet when they pass by her door, she calls after them to turn aside, but beware, for the dead are there! Stolen waters are sweet! If they were not, who would bother to steal them? Make no mistake; the power of sin is in its pleasure, but only for a moment. There is the afterwards of bitterness. Yet so corrupt is the sinful heart that man actually loves that which will corrupt and destroy him. His appetite is diseased.

3. The Touchstone: The travellers are pitched between the great divide of two eternities. From above, Wisdom cries, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. From beneath, this evil spirit, this emissary from the pit of hell, this devilish fiend, cries, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither. Here are the two great rivals vying to possess the human heart, but the fiend has the controlling interest. Folly has the heart of man in her grip, but God! No man can serve two Masters. No man can go the way of life and death, of darkness and light, at the same time. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

4. The Tragedy: This woman is foolish, yet is a clever fiend, gloating behind her victims’ backs. She despises them as simple, wanting understanding. All those who go right on passing her by, are fools, according to her. What pleasures they miss! She wants to bring them into her school to cure them of their restraints and moral scruples. The young man, however, who becomes her dupe, is the real fool in her diabolical tragic-comedy. In the final Act she destroys him utterly (v.18).

5. The Triumph: Mercifully, some are prevailed upon to heed Wisdom’s call and enter her School. Sin will continue to draw us to the forbidden thing unless our souls are renewed by the grace of God. Sin held sway over us all, but God, who is rich in mercy, has provided the victory in Christ Jesus; for by grace are ye saved; it is the gift of God. By the renewal of the heart alone can helpless sinners respond to Wisdom’s call to enter the School of Grace. “He breaks the power of cancelled sin. He sets the prisoner free!”

Thought: “Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free” (G. Matheson).

Prayer: Lord, keep my eyes upon Jesus, and the things of earth will fade and flee.