… calling to those who pass by,

    who are going straight on their way,

Proverbs 9:15 ESV

Beware of folly. You can’t deal with folly as if folly is neutral, simply satisfied to capture those who are wandering aimlessly. Note here, that folly calls out to those “who pass by.” But not simply those who pass by, but those who are “going straight on their way.” In other words, folly targets those who are on the right path. What would it take for you to be distracted off course?

This is a warning that we must guard our hearts and minds so as not to be drawn away toward folly. Pursue God with a vengeance. The Psalmist offers some helpful thoughts in this regard: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“The woman Folly is loud;

    she is seductive and knows nothing.

¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house;

    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,

¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,

    who are going straight on their way,

¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”

    And to him who lacks sense she says,

¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet,

    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,

    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.”

Proverbs 9:13-18 ESV

The typical approach in the book of Proverbs is to contrast wisdom and folly. Chapter nine presents a wonderful contrast between the two, but not without first presenting some similarities.

Like Wisdom in verses 3-6, Folly is personified as a woman in verses 13-18. Also, like Wisdom, Folly isn’t content to be alone. Her desperate desire is that others join her. Thus, she locates herself in public places – “at the door of her house” or “in the highest places of the town” (vs. 14) – from where she calls passersby. Her call is the same as that of Wisdom’s: “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” However – and this is where the contrasts between Wisdom and Folly begin – Folly’s intent with the simple is not to make him wise.

In contrast to Wisdom, Folly “knows nothing” (vs. 13), and she desires that we be like her, simpletons. To that point she is an evangelist, trying to draw our affections with “stolen water” and “bread eaten in secret” (vs. 17). What she doesn’t say, and what we find out too late – after we have stopped by her place for foolish pleasure – is “that the dead are there, that her guests [those of us fools who took the bait] are in the depths of Sheol” (vs. 18).

Folly reminds me of a turkey hunter in so many ways. The hunter disguises himself and projects the sound of a turkey, and by the time the turkey realizes (if he does) that he has responded to a false offer, it’s too late. The hunter has his prize.

Beware, every voice that says, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” is not Wisdom. Folly desires to destroy you. Wisdom desires to give you life. We have to be able to discern between the voice of Wisdom and Folly. What’s your plan to do that?

She [Wisdom] has sent out her young women to call
    from the highest places in the town,
⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    To him who lacks sense she says,
⁵ “Come, eat of my bread
    and drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶ Leave your simple ways, and live,
    and walk in the way of insight.”

Proverbs 9:3-6 ESV

Here, Wisdom is personified as a woman. Note that she sends her young women to proclaim the availability of wisdom. In other words, Wisdom isn’t hiding in a secret location. From the highest places in town, they call the simple to come partake of the blessings that wisdom has prepared. The promise for those who leave the “simple ways” is life and the way of insight.

Can you hear Wisdom’s call? If you are reading this, you are within the sound of Wisdom’s voice.

“Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

  reprove a wise man, and he will love you.”

Proverbs 9:8 ESV

Do you ever wonder if you are a fool? Here’s a quick and easy guide for self-evaluation. How do you respond to correction? An honest, reflective answer to that question will answer the previous question.

Lord, please shape my heart so that I am more consistently receptive and appreciative of correction.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Proverbs 9:10 ESV

The book of Proverbs is a call to wisdom. Wisdom is exalted in a variety of ways, just as foolishness is decried in a variety of ways. A host of word pictures are used to illustrate wisdom. And repeatedly, the reader is encouraged to seek wisdom.

Sometimes all the talk of wisdom can lead the reader to frustration, wondering “How do I get wisdom? Where does the wise road begin?” The answer is found in 9:10. The beginning of wisdom, true wisdom, is fearing the Lord. In reality, the better mindset is not to chase wisdom, but to chase the Lord because wisdom without God isn’t really wisdom. In chasing God and godliness, we become wise.