Continuing the personification of Wisdom found in Proverbs 8, Solomon revives the same theme in chapter 9. As noted in earlier devotional thoughts from Proverbs 9, Wisdom is preparing a feast for guests who have received and accepted her invitation to a banquet (9:3-5). Because Proverbs 9 consists of only 18 verses, I will keep our focus to one verse.
Proverbs 9:6 – “Forsake [leave; refuse; abandon] the foolish [simple who will not listen], and live [life; more than surviving; to prosper]; and go in the way [path; journey] of understanding [wisdom; spiritual discernment].”
In this context, we know that Wisdom has prepared a banquet for all who will accept her invitation. For those dedicated to seek after Wisdom, the invitation to Wisdom’s banquet is a welcome opportunity.
However, what of those invited, but whose way, path and journey is not after Wisdom? For them, Wisdom’s invitation is a spiritual dilemma. To attend Wisdom’s banquet they must depart from the company of the foolish—friends and companions who are silly, deaf to Wisdom and instruction [sadly, this describes much of society in our day].
Wisdom’s invitation comes with a wonderful promise—Life! This Life is more than mere survival. The path of Wisdom promises spiritual prosperity and contentment.
Let’s get personal–are you living or surviving? We all experience days when we are in “survival mode”—getting by, putting one step in front of the next! Those are lonely, difficult days when life’s crutches are temporal and temperamental at best! Friends don’t call. Family ties are strained. Bills pile up. Life is a cycle of endless doubts, worries and disappointments.
To you, Wisdom calls and says, “go in the way of understanding”—trust God, read His Word, lean on His promises and “walk by faith, and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
I will close today’s devotional with a wonderful meditative thought from Psalms.
Psalm 37:3-9 – “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.”