Year 1, Week 44, Day 2 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 44, Day 2

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Proverbs 7-9.

Today’s reading continues setting forth the need for and value of through the conversation of a father to his son: “My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart” (Proverbs 7:1-3). And once again, reminiscent of the language of Deuteronomy, the importance of internalizing wisdom is stressed. But, in order to truly internalize wisdom, a genuine relationship with the LORD, as already stated in Proverbs 1, must be the central feature for one’s life: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). So today’s reading continues with these themes surrounding wisdom, but also continues with a theme that needs further attention.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the female personification of both wisdom and folly: “Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words” (Proverbs 7:4-5). The conversation that the father is having is framed as a conversation about two very different women that his son would pursue and involve himself with. These female personifications surrounding both wisdom and foolishness have already been made, but today’s reading amplifies the use of them.

Wisdom has already been likened unto a lady: “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks” (Proverbs 1:20-21); and: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:13-17). There are many, many women in the Bible described as possessing wisdom, but the point of the Proverbs likening wisdom to a woman is as simple as only women are wise. Yes, women do demonstrate much wisdom, as the Proverbs 31 woman does, but they are not the exclusive domain. The personification of wisdom as a woman probably has a lot to do with the Proverbs being framed as a father’s conversation with his son. The father stresses to his son that he is to intimately bind himself to wisdom. As a husband knows his wife, so must wisdom be known.

But wisdom will not be found in just any woman. The father stresses to his son that some women must be avoided: “And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait. She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him…With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life” (Proverbs 7:10-13,21-23). Just as this kind of woman has appeal but kills, so foolishness has a fatal attraction: “Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house is the way to Sheol, going down to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:25-27). Proverbs most certainly is warning against the offers of an adulterous woman, but the broader warning is when we intimately bind our hearts to the path of folly it is as deadly and destructive as entangling ourselves with the prostitute.

So, wisdom is likened to a tale of two women, where one results in death, while the other leads to life: “All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her…For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:8-11,35-36). The father’s conversation in Proverbs directs his son to pursue wisdom like he would pursue a woman. But the father warns that not all things are equal—every offer is not an offer of wisdom. Thus, it takes discernment to pursue the true source of wisdom. Lady Wisdom calls: “Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call” (Proverbs 8:1-4a). But lady folly also calls: “The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way” (Proverbs 9:13-15). Lady Wisdom’s offer is true: “My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice, granting an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries” (Proverbs 8:19-21).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe