Two inviting women, two challenging choices, two different outcomes
By Dean Collins
These women are coming after you, and you better choose carefully or more difficulties will soon follow.
One of the two is rather worldly and rowdy. Her game is seduction. She can’t be trusted except for a good-time moment. But her interests are her own and never yours. The other wants intimate friendship and promises faithfulness. And she is willing to step in and keep you from falling for the other woman.
Foolishness and wisdom personified
Solomon chose to use personification in Proverbs 7 and 8 as he discussed the dangers of foolishness and the advantages and life offered by wisdom. One woman is an adulterous and the other a trustworthy sister. One wants to trick you while the other offers sound counsel. Make the wrong choice, and before you know it you are surrounded by evil and filled with pride as you fight for your territory. Make the right choice, and your path is clear, and you can easily see and harvest knowledge, discretion, and prudence.
In chapter 7 Solomon tells about the worldly woman. She dresses as a prostitute with the intent to lure you. She is guarded, meaning it’s all about her profit and advantage and not about you. She is a loud and wayward traveler. You won’t find any peace by hanging around her. She is always on the hunt and never home to help you. She will smooth talk you every step as she prepares to hand you over to the evil one.
But chapter 8 is a very different situation. This woman is virtuous and always speaks truthfully. There is not a twisted or crooked or confusing path with her. As Wisdom leads you, more understanding and knowledge are the natural results. No amount of money brings as much value as the lessons from Wisdom.
Blessing and favor
How is it that Wisdom can offer so much and be so consistent? Solomon tells us Wisdom has been hanging around with God since before he did his first creative act. Before he designed the world, Wisdom was formed. Before the oceans, the land, the sky, the birds, animals, plants, and humans ever came to be, Wisdom was with God. As God’s handiwork was in design phase, Wisdom was there, celebrating every new idea and creation. Wisdom cheered God on and knows his heart and every move.
So today and every day we need to pick one of the options Solomon described for us. Solomon ends chapter 8 pleading with us to make the right choice. And if the choice isn’t obvious, the wise king reminds us that with wisdom comes blessing. If we watch for wisdom, seek wisdom, and invite wisdom from God, we obtain the very favor of God.
We probably won’t need to tell anyone which one we chose. It sounds like it will become pretty obvious in rather short order.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 7:2, 4-5; 8:4-5, 8-14, 20-36 ESV
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Photos by Josiah Lewis and y BBH Singapore on Unsplash
