A Life That God Delights In
The book of Proverbs teaches us how to live wisely. And wise living starts with acknowledging that true knowledge begins with fearing the Lord (1:7).
Entries by David Cook
Be Careful, Little Mouth, What You Speak
In today’s passage, we continue to look at the contrast between the words of the wise and those of the fool. Solomon compares their tongues, noting how judiciously they are used and their impact on both the listener and the speaker
The Wounds Of The Foolish Tongue
When I preach and apply the truth of a Bible passage for my listeners, I often point out the impossible opposite application of the passage. For example, the Bible says: ″All have sinned″ (Romans 3:23); the antithesis would be: ″No one has sinned.″
How To Win The Battle Against Sexual Immorality
In the first section of Proverbs (chapters 1-9), the writer writes as a father urging his son to avoid sexual temptation and adultery, and to be faithful if he is married. This issue is highlighted in these three passages, 5:1-23, 6:20-35, 7:1-27.
The Folly Of Living In The Moment
Like Lady Wisdom, Madame Folly has also prepared a banquet for her guests. Those whom she invites are the same as those to whom Lady Wisdom calls out. ″Let all who are simple come to my house!″ she says to those who lack judgment (Proverbs 9:16, see v. 4).
Pursue The Life That’s Truly Wise
Having briefly looked at the contrast between the two invitations by Lady Wisdom and Madame Folly, we now shift the focus of our attention to the verses in the centre of the chiasm. Today’s passage contrasts the diners at each table.
Will You Accept Lady Wisdom’s Invitation?
A chiasm is a literary technique that inverts a phrase with a following phrase, often using repeated words or ideas. For example: ″When the going gets tough, the tough get going.″ Through symmetry, chiasms help to emphasise contrast or a central point that may be inserted between the two phrases. The Bible has a number of such chiasms, and Proverbs 9 is one of them.
How The Trinity Leads Us In Wisdom
Wisdom sets out clearly her supreme credentials in her autobiography: she is born or generated of the Lord himself, and she is around before the creation of the world, before the oceans, land, and the heavens were created (Proverbs 8:22-27). She is constantly at God’s side, delights in His presence, and rejoices in creation and humankind (vv. 30-31). Who is Wisdom? She is an attribute of God, who is all-wise.
The Quiet Marks Of Wisdom
We first met Lady Wisdom on Day 2 (Proverbs 1:20), when she spoke briefly (vv. 22-33). Now, having heard about the lure of the seductress in Proverbs 5, 6:20-35, and 7:6-27, we hear from Lady Wisdom again.