May 29th~The War of Two Women

Proverbs 8:1-10:32

We covered three chapters in Proverbs, most of which was dominated by a war between two women — Wisdom and Folly — two women who constantly compete for the minds of men. First, Solomon described Wisdom (8:1-9:6), as she makes her appeal, “Choose my instruction rather than silver and gold,” she says, “for wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it... and whoever finds me finds life” (8:11, 35).

Next, Solomon described Folly (9:13-18) in terms similar to the immoral woman of earlier chapters (5-7). “The woman named Folly is loud and brash. She is ignorant and does not know it. She sits in her doorway (like a prostitute) and calls out to men, ‘Come home with me. Stolen water is refreshing’ she says, ‘and food eaten in secret tastes the best.’ But the men don’t realize that her former guests are now in the grave.”

Then, Solomon takes the advice of these two women and sets them side by side for us in individual proverbs (10:1-32). For example, “A wise youth works hard all summer, but a [foolish] youth, who sleeps away the hour of opportunity, brings shame” (v.5). “The [wise] give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense” (v.21). “Doing wrong is fun for a fool, while wise conduct is a pleasure to the wise” (v.23).

Consider for a minute the sources of Wisdom and Folly. Solomon has already told us that “The Lord grants wisdom! From His mouth (His Word) come knowledge and understanding” (2:6). James confirms Solomon’s claim, “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God...” (1:5). So then, if wisdom’s source is God, then what is the source of folly or foolishness? It must be Satan. Is he not the father of lies, deception, and con- fusion? Yes, it is he who convinces men to reject

God’s ways and wisdom; and, in his rebellion to God, folly is born.

Also, if wisdom is found in the Word of God, then folly is found in the world system that Satan has established. That is precisely why the Lord warns us to be wary of the world. “Do not love the world,” He says, “nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for everything we see and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from the world” (1 John 2:15, 16).

Daily Reflection

To which Woman are you listening — Wisdom or Folly? It is one or the other; and, since their paths go in different directions, you cannot walk them both. You will choose one or the other.

To get you to choose the path of Folly, the world will lure you with lies. What are some lies that she may tell you?

While the path of Folly or the ways of the world may seem to you right and good, they are a dead end. Unfortunately, God’s people often get caught up in the world’s thinking, the world’s philosophies, the world mindset and mission, and they get trapped in the den of Folly. Don’t let that happen to you. Walk with Wisdom and let her (or Him) guide your way.

BiAY.org |Day 149 — 216 Days to Go