Wisdom's Call

Proverbs 9:1-6

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts;
she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.

3 She 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."

We will see later the contrast that is being set up in this chapter between Wisdom and Folly. For now, note again the attempt of Wisdom to draw the foolish away from their folly. She has a well-built house to invite others to. She has prepared a sumptuous feast. She has sent out her messengers who use the most public means possible to send out her invitation. She offers blessing to those who turn to her.

What she calls them to do, she calls of all of us:

Leave: leave our simple ways. That is, leave the paths we travel out of mindless following. These are the ways of fashion, of popularity, of whatever is the latest fad. They are ways that we follow because we will not be thoughtful about how we live.

Live: really live rather than merely stay alive. Live a life that is productive, that is fruitful, that is meaningful. Don't live the life of the fool who, if he works, does so merely to make a living and who in his spare time merely looks for stimulation.

Walk: in the way of insight, not in mindless following. Go through a day, through a life using your brain and not merely "following the heart" which the world insists that you do. Instruct your heart, so that it moves you to do what is right; instruct your heart so that it discerns between what is loving and what is harmful.

Think of this in light of Christ's calling to you. Leave the world for Christ, live abiding in Christ, and walk in the way that he has instructed you and prepared for you.