* In this chapter we find the contrast of seeking out wisdom (personified again as a woman) versus seeking a foolish woman.
1. What did wisdom build?
“Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars” (Proverbs 9:1).
* This verse shows wisdom hath prepared a place (cf. Proverbs 14:1). The context will bear out that this place is set for a feast!
* The wisdom that comes from God has built many great habitations:
- The world (Jeremiah 10:12).
- The seed of Abraham (Genesis 17:7).
- Physical Jerusalem (Zechariah 1:16).
- The spiritual Jerusalem [the church/kingdom/us] (Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 2:20-22, I Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 3:1-6, and I Peter 2:5-6).
- God is the Creator of all things (Ephesians 3:9).
* Pillars are supports in both physical structures (I Kings 7:6) and spiritual structures (Galatians 2:9).
2. Does wisdom provide food for her table?
Yes: “She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table” (Proverbs 9:2).
* Wisdom is preparing for a feast here.
On another note, aside from the meaning of this context:
* Furnishing the table is in reference to providing food (Psalms 78:17-19).
* Any wise person knows the duty of providing for his/her own (I Timothy 5:8 and Proverbs 31:14; 15).
3. With her table ready, does wisdom present herself as a ready feast for those whom need to learn?
Yes: “(3) She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, (4) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, (5) Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled” (Proverbs 9:3-5).
* The simple [naïve] need to turn to wisdom and learn of her (Psalms 119:130 and Proverbs 8:5).
* The simple [naïve] make themselves easy targets (Proverbs 14:15, Proverbs 22:3, and Romans 16:17-18).
4. What has to be forsaken to have life?
“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding” (Proverbs 9:6).
* Why forsake the foolish? Consider these Scriptures: Psalms 5:5, Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 14:7, Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 24:9, Psalms 119:115, Jeremiah 4:22, and Galatians 3:1.
* Understanding is found in the word of God (Psalms 119:104).
* Man cannot know his own way (Proverbs 20:24).
5. What are the differences between a scorner [a mocker; someone who rejects things in a disrespectful way] and a wise man?
“(7) He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. (8) Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. (9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:7-9).
* We know that trying to teach someone who doesn’t want to learn backfires on us (Matthew 7:6).
* The scorner will not receive correction: Proverbs 13:1 and Proverbs 15:12. Removal of scorners provides peace (Proverbs 22:10).
* The wise will receive correction: Proverbs 17:10 and Proverbs 28:23. When we refuse correction we reject one of the purposes that we have the word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17).
6. How does the fear of the Lord tie into the seeking of wisdom?
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
* Job 28:28, Psalms 111:10, and Proverbs 15:33.
7. Does wisdom add to the length of a person’s life?
“For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased” (Proverbs 9:11).
* Deuteronomy 6:2, Proverbs 3:1-2, Proverbs 3:13-16, and Proverbs 10:27.
8. Should we seek wisdom for our own benefit?
Of course: “If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it” (Proverbs 9:12).
* Job 22:2
9. Does God speak of a foolish woman in a positive manner?
No: “A foolish woman is clamorous [LOUD]: she is simple, and knoweth nothing” (Proverbs 9:13).
*It is not good for a woman to be loud (I Peter 3:1-4).
* Nor is it good to be naïve and ignorant (Acts 17:30).
10. Do these foolish women try to attract those who pass by them?
Yes: “(14) For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, (15) To call passengers who go right on their ways” (Proverbs 9:14-15).
* We discussed this in Proverbs 7:10-13.
11. Are those who fall into the trap of a foolish woman considered wise by God?
No: “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him” (Proverbs 9:16).
* You cannot enter into danger and think you’ve made a wise decision (Proverbs 4:14-15, Matthew 26:41, I Thessalonians 5:22, and I Peter 2:11).
12. What does the foolish woman say to those seeking understanding according to the context of our study?
“(16) Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, (17) Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (Proverbs 9:16-17).
* “Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel” (Proverbs 20:17).
* We should never want to be the one’s hiding something (John 7:4 and John 18:20).
13. What happens to the guests of a foolish woman?
“But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell” (Proverbs 9:18).
Again, we discussed the ways of these loose women in chapter seven: “Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:27).