Proverbs 9:6 #VOTD | Commentary + Memorization Tutorial (Video)

Verse of the Day 2.28.18: Proverbs 9:6

1. Text
2. Translation
3. Commentary
4. Memorization

Today, C4C is studying Proverbs 9:1-18 — a juxtaposition of rival feasts hosted by Woman Wisdom and Women Folly. While the fools, scoffers, and mockers accept the invitation to the feast that leads to death, the wise accept the invitation of the feast that leads to life and understanding. The theology of the ‘Two Ways’ continues in the New Testament, leaving us all with Christ’s invitation to the Great Banquet — and a choice to make.

Text

6 עִזְב֣וּ פְתָאיִ֣ם וִֽחְי֑וּ וְ֝אִשְׁר֗וּ בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ בִּינָֽה׃¹

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”²

C4C Translation

Forsake naïveté and live,

Walk in the way of understanding

Commentary

Two Women, Two Feasts, Two Ways

In Proverbs 9:1-18, the culmination of the first section of the book,³ the reader encounters two feasts hosted by two different women — Woman Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-6)  and Woman Folly (Proverbs 9:13-18). Bracketed by these two symmetrical sections, the centerpiece (Proverbs 9:7-12) illuminates the different qualities that characterize the attendants of each feast — the close-minded scoffer/mocker and the wise person who accepts the instruction of the LORD.⁴

Both metaphorical women invite the simple (or naive) (Prov 9:4,16) to partake in a meal (Prov 9:1, 5, 14, 17). The simple, here, are “those who have no moral insight and power of self-direction, the negative, unformed minds, not yet given up to sin, but in danger of becoming its dupes.” ⁵

As we often read in biblical Wisdom literature (e.g. Psalm 1), readers are presented with a choice between Two Ways: the way to the feast with Woman Wisdom — the way of life and understanding (Prov 9:6)– and the way to the feast with Wisdom Folly — which leads to death, to Sheol (Prov 9:18).⁶ As one scholar notes, “the stakes are high in accepting or rejecting Wisdom’s invitation; it is a matter of life and death” (cf. Prov 3:18; 4:13, 22; 5:6, 6:23; 8:32–35).⁷

With so much riding on this decision, Woman Wisdom implores the naive to repent — to turn to a different direction, a different way.⁸

And, in case readers forgot, the motto of Proverbs (Prov 1:7), is reiterated (Prov 9:10). The way of wisdom begins with the fear (i.e. reverence) of the LORD and His instruction.

The Wisdom of The Way

As mentioned in a previous post:

In the New Testament, Jesus, who was known for His wisdom (Mk 1:21-22, 6:2; Lk 2:40-52), is also said to be the actual incarnation of God’s wisdom (1 Cor 1:30; Col 2:3). Thus, Christian readers today can plausibly see the choice between Woman Wisdom and Woman Folly as a choice between a reverential relationship with Christ, and anything else that distracts from such a relationship.⁹

Like Woman Wisdom, in a parable, Jesus tells of the sending of invitations for the feast in the kingdom of God. Many foolishly make excuses and reject the invitation, forfeiting any taste of the Great Banquet (Lk 14:15-24).¹⁰

Moreover, Woman Wisdom’s words, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed” (Prov 9:5, NIV), may have been in Jesus’ mind when he tells His disciples to eat His flesh — “real food” — and drink His blood — “real drink” — in order to have eternal life (Jn 6:51-56).¹¹ Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the life, truth, and the way (Jn 14:6).

The Choice Is Yours, This (Way) or That (Way)

It seems to me that, today, we still have a choice between Two Ways (Jn 3:18, 36, etc.). We can wisely build our metaphorical houses on the foundation of the rock of Christ’s teaching, or we can build them, foolishly, on sand (Mt 7:24-27). In the end, there is a narrow way leading to life, and a broad way leading to destruction (Mt 7:13-14, cf. Ps 1:6).

The invitation to the Great Banquet is extended to all. RSVP-ing would be wise.

Memorization