Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
Let us close this section on a positive note struck in a previous study. The word Holy, you recall (v.10) was plural, referring, we believe, to the Godhead. Let us expand this by considering God’s Goal for His sons and daughters. We must be:
This is no imaginary picture, but one drawn from real life. “Mankind has sat for the picture; there is no mistake in the outline, there is no exaggeration the colouring” (Arnot).
The Introduction to Proverbs ends here with a contrasted picture of Wisdom and Folly. She, too, has her house, has provided her entertainment, and invites her guests. The two houses are over against each other, on opposite sides of the way. It is her purpose to prevent those who pass by from entering Wisdom’s House. As already noted, some believe that Wisdom is merely an attribute or likeness of God, and thus they argue here that Folly is only a metaphor, over against Wisdom (Pr. 9:1). Hebrew introduces the word woman jointly with folly, whereas Wisdom stands alone. “May not a study of that picture lead to an opposite conclusion? Folly is no mere abstraction; she is a sinful woman of impure life, whose guests are in the depths of hell. Folly enhances our impression that Wisdom is personal” (Liddon). Who is this Temptress? The work of Lady Folly is the work of the Evil One, the real antagonist of the Divine Wisdom. Coupled with the language of v.17 it seems clear that one particular form of vice, not vice generally, is in view here.
This is perhaps the strongest expression of individualism in the Bible (Kidner). This (and similar statements) does not mean that people profit or suffer from each other’s characters (Pr. 10:1). What is stressed here is that each of us is the gainer or loser! Your character is you and you can’t escape its consequences (Pr. 14:10). The gainer or loser is man himself. “Those that are wise for their souls are wise for themselves, for the soul is the man” (Henry). Man rescued from his own folly and sin enters into the joy of the Lord, but scorners must bear their own ruin. The gainers can thank God, but the losers have only themselves to thank! Here the Gospel Law is set forth. It is the principle of the Talents, either use them or lose them! To him that hath shall be given (Mt. 25:29).
Here we have the theme of longevity again. Obedience to God’s will leads to length of days (Ex. 20:12). Conformity to God’s will brings blessings in the present, and the promise of life and health in the days ahead. Precious as physical life is, there is something infinitely more priceless. It is not how long but how well we live that matters. For identifies the connection between wisdom and righteousness (vs.9-10). The truly godly life leads to the most gratifying life as well. In the New Testament this has an eternal application. “We are not so to live,” said J.C. Ryle, “as if we had nothing but a body.”
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. These familiar words reinforce the central theme of Proverbs. A different Hebrew word is used here for beginning. It has reference not to time but to first principles, fundamentals (Eccl. 10:13). Between those who accepted her invitation and reproofs, and scorners and wicked who hate and defame her, there appears to be an on the fence crowd, the simple ones, now leaning one way, now the other, to whom Wisdom appeals. She reverts to first principles, and lays down the conditions for a life of faithfulness. A true conception of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs contains many repetitions. If history repeats itself, why not the issues of morality and truth? Some keywords like wisdom, knowledge, and understanding reappear here, as they do in later chapters. This is typical of Hebrew thought, and the Holy Spirit still considers it necessary for our growth in grace. Peter saw the need for repetition. It is not some new discovery that is needed, like the Athenians of Paul’s day (Acts 17:21), or the ecumenical dialoguers of ours, but a return to the basic doctrines revealed by Eternal Wisdom in the Bible. Let this repetition not weary us but make us eager learners.
Someone has well said: “The most difficult area in friendship is letting a man see his faults and errors, which should, if possible, be so contrived that he may perceive our advice is given to him, not so much to please ourselves as for his own advantage. The reproaches, therefore, of a friend should be strictly just, and not too frequent.” How practical are these instructions, and how very pertinent still? Remember, all men, even the wisest and best, sometimes need reproof but do we have the wisdom to do it? Too many friendships are lost and churches harmed by wrongly handled reproofs.
They would not come, but they made light of it, and went their ways. Here, Wisdom expresses a most gracious compassion for man, caring for him, loving him, spreading abroad the blessings of peace, of purity, and the promise of Eternal Life. Is not this an accurate description of the ministry of the Word Incarnate?
This House of Wisdom rests on the surest foundation. It rests on the Triune Godhead, the Perfections of God, and the all-sufficient righteousness of the Incarnate One. It stands on the Rock of Ages, which time cannot shatter or shift.