A Tale of Two Ladies--Lady Folly Proverbs 5

 

We first met Lady Folly in Proverbs 2, where she was called the forbidden woman, a woman who brings calamity and misfortune.  King Solomon, talking to at least one of his sons, describes her specifically the same in Proverbs 2, 5, and 7, then finally in Proverbs 9 calling her who she is--Lady Folly.  Her words are smooth and seductive, dripping with oily sweetness.  When we read "bitter as wormwood", we should understand that she has a poison tongue; sticks and stones can break your bones, and Lady Folly's words CAN hurt you.  That is their whole purpose.  Her feet go down, never making a passing glance at the path of wisdom, never concerning herself with anything other than what is right in her own eyes.  That road can lead nowhere but to certain death.  Solomon, the father writing these speeches and proverbs--and also the husband/master to 1,000 women--knows a thing or too about the ability of a woman to lead a man astray.  He says "Don't even go down her gosh dang street!!!!" The forbidden woman will steal your honor, time, strength, work, health, and life.  Wisdom offers blessing, rejoicing, delight, and real love. So he warns (and warns and warns) his son to choose Lady Wisdom.  

Solomon has learned from his father King David the torture of regret, of reliving and rehashing his choices and companions.  (Psalm 6, 22, 36, 39, and 86 are some examples).  David wasn't afraid to pour his anguish out to God because he was also a willing student of God's Word. And that's all Solomon wants for his own descendants.  He wants them to hear, to listen, and then to lean in for more.  If they are not teachable, then they are a prime target for Lady Folly's seduction. And God sees us.  Nothing is hidden from Him, He sees the choices we have in front of us.  He knows that sometimes, it feels easier to just "swim down", to let Lady Folly lead us to what feels right, and just let us for a hot minute be blissfully ignorant.  But He loves us too much for that.  Sin may hold us fast, but God holds us faster.  (😊😍Jude 24) He alone.  If we listen, hear, and lean in to the wisdom He offers, the gentle correction He lovingly gives, everlasting life waits at the end of the street.  Choose wisely, choose wisdom.