BIG IDEA:
THE RECRUITMENT OF THE NAÏVE IS THE BATTLEGROUND FOR THE SOUL WAGED BETWEEN THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH
I. (:1-6) THE DISCERNING INVITATION OF WISDOM TO THE NAIVE: COME AND PARTAKE OF MY BANQUET TABLE
A. (:1-2) Wisdom has a Lot to Offer
1. Solid Foundation
“Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars.”
Lane: Does the adulteress have a nicely-furnished house (7:16f)? Wisdom has something better, a palace or temple (v.1), with pillars, like Solomon’s temple (1 Kgs. 10:12) and palace (1 Kgs. 7:2). Pillars give a building strength and beauty. So will the word of the wise God give us strength, not sap our energy as adultery does (5:11). Its beauty is real and unfading, unlike the prostitute’s glamour, dependent on cosmetics and clothes (7:10). Seven is no doubt symbolic of completeness and perfection: God’s word is sufficient because it comes from the only wise God. It is a home where everything we need is supplied.
2. Sumptuous Feast
“She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.”
B. (:3-5) Wisdom Aggressively Solicits the Naive
“She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.
‘Let all who are simple come in here!’ she says to those who lack judgment,
‘Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.’”
C. (:6) Wisdom Leads to Life and Understanding Beyond the Gate or Repentance
“Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
I. (:7-12) THE POINT OF DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN THE SCOFFER AND THE WISE IS THEIR ORIENTATION TOWARDS THE FEAR OF THE LORD WHICH IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM
DECISIONS LEAD TO DESTINIES — Goldberg
A. (:7-9) Don’t Cast Pearls Before Swine
1. (:7-8a) Folly of Correcting a Mocker
a. You will be mocked
“Whoever corrects a mocker brings on insult”
b. You will be abused
“whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.”
c. You will be hated
“Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.”
Bridges: Wisdom’s messengers must discriminate in the proclamation of their message. If the simple welcome it, the scorner and wicked will rebel.
2. (:8b-9) Benefits of Correcting the Wise
a. He will love you
“rebuke a wise man and he will love you.”
b. He will grow in wisdom
“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still.”
c. He will grow in understanding
“teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.”
B. (:10-12) The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom
1. (:10) Principle Stated
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
2. (:11) Long Life is at Stake
“For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.”
3. (:12) Both the Wise and the Mocker Get What They Deserve
“If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
I. (:13-18) THE SEDUCTIVE INVITATION OF FOLLY TO THE NAIVE: COME AND PARTAKE OF MY SECRET PLEASURES
(portrayed as a prostitute)
A. (:13) The Fool Lacks Substance
1. Shouts an Empty Message
“The woman Folly is loud;”
2. Leads an Undisciplined Life
“she is undisciplined”
3. Lacks any Depth of Understanding
“and without knowledge.”
B. (:14-16) The Fool Aggressively Solicits the Naive
“She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. ‘Let all who are simple come in here!’ she says to those who lack judgment.”
Aggressively markets her wares; even to those who were not actively looking for seductive pleasures
C. (:17-18) Foolishness Leads to Death and Condemnation Beyond the Seductive Pleasures of the Moment
1. (:17) The Open Seduction of Temporal Pleasures
“Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!”
Does not hide the unlawful character of the sinful pleasures … just appeals to the flesh to satisfy its cravings; there is something sinister and attractive about doing something naughty
2. (:18) The Hidden Reality of Death and Condemnation
“But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave.”