stephen R Harrison

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. -Proverbs 9:12

I once received an invitation to escort the Governor of Arkansas on a Statewide initiative on marriage. I was tasked with setting up lunch for him and his staff in my region of the State and joining them as they bolstered marriages across Arkansas. What an invitation! As I prepared for this meeting, I was invited to attend something else on the same day. I had the choice of standing with the Governor in biblical marriage or playing paintball with some college friends. While both were good choices (I loved spending time with college friends), the marriage initiative in Arkansas was a once in a lifetime opportunity that would affect marriages for years to come. I passed on the paintball that day and joined them a few weeks later. It would have been foolish and selfish for me to pick paintball over supporting thousands of marriages.

There are two invitations for every man: Lady Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-6) and the immoral woman (9:13-18). One will bless, and the other will destroy. When compared, the choice of Lady Wisdom is a no-brainer. However, our brains are not often set on the things of the Lord! In Proverbs 9:1-6, Solomon describes Lady Wisdom (personified as godly wisdom) as a massive mansion and bountiful banquet. Her house has a grand entrance, and her table has the finest food and drink (1-2). The invitation to enter and join the celebration has been sent to all who would join (3). We must not forget to RSVP! The cost is free, but we must leave the invitation of the immoral woman – she is not invited! The immoral woman personified is folly, anything opposing to Christ and His Word. If we have “lacked sense” (4), we should now take the wise step to “eat” and “pursue the way of understanding” (5-6). This is the banquet to attend. We aren’t crashing a party with no invitation and bumming what we can steal off the serving line. We are being invited by the host (God) to sit at His table for fine dining and companionship. Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35) and Living Water (John 7:35). 

Those who do not accept Lady Wisdom’s invitation accept an invitation to foolishness. When invited and given a choice between the house of wisdom and foolishness, how a man reacts displays the condition of his heart. The man who mocks Lady Wisdom’s invitation asks for abuse and will hurt others (7). Those who love wisdom know the invitation to Lady Wisdom’s home is a far better choice than that of the immoral woman. The wise man sees Lady Wisdom’s invitation as a correction on his calendar – he quickly cancels on the lesser party. Why? He fears the Lord (10). When a man doesn’t fear the Lord, he’ll accept any invitation, even if it ends in his demise and harms others he loves. A wise man chooses to live wisely. His life displays which invitation he has accepted. Lady Wisdom keeps him from dying foolishly!

The immoral woman is “rowdy” (13). She is gullible, thinking she can match Lady Wisdom’s elegance and blessings. She knows nothing but imitation and deceit. Her invitation may be slick and attractive, but once you enter her home, you’ll be sorry you did. Be careful as she sits and waits, calling out to seduce all who pass by with her party tricks and poisonous foods (14-18). She preys on the inexperienced and senseless (16). Don’t be caught off guard as you pass her way. Her meal may taste sweet initially (17), but it is septic and bitter – it will kill you (18)!

Questions to Ponder

1. Do you need clarification about which invitation to accept in a particular area of your life?
2. In what way have you entered the wrong house? Do you know how to exit and arrive at the right one?
3. What verse stands out the most to you?
4. What other questions came to mind?

Actions to Take

1. As you read Proverbs 9, list the qualities of Lady Wisdom (1-6) and the immoral woman (13-18).
2. Read 7-12. What are the qualities of the unwise and wise man?

Scriptures to Read

Proverbs 1:7, 4:5, 13:10, 19:8, 29:11

Prayers to Pray

Lord, help me ignore the immoral, forbidden woman. Lady Wisdom, your wisdom is beautiful and a blessing. Thank you for your invitation to sit at your feast and dwell in your home. There is no substitute for what you offer. Help me discern rightly. Keep me from folly. Rebuke me when wrong and correct me when needed. Instruct and teach me your wise and righteous ways.