A Tale of Two Ladies--Two Invitations One RSVP-- Proverbs 9

 This chapter reads like invitations to two banquets, but you can only go to one.   The two hostesses, Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly, are presented side by side, and each get a chance to promote their party.  Lady Wisdom starts in 9:1-12.  She built the house where the banquet will be held.  A traditional banquet pavilion would have seven pillars, and she has shaped them herself.  She made the main course, from start to finish, she mixed the wine, she set the table.  She has faithful young women to herald the town with her invitation. She is compelling and welcoming. She doesn't want a fight with anyone--the people have free will to come or not.  But they are warmly invited.  The fear, or respect and awe, of the LORD is the first step toward wisdom.  It's square one--spiritual poverty.  Those who accept Lady Wisdom's invitation are poor in spirit, and they are blessed for recognizing it.  They know they have nothing to offer, and they know the Holy One has everything.  This first step in the front door of the banquet hosted by Lady Wisdom is life-changing--abundant life now and eternal life to come.

Then we hear Lady Folly's side.  She offers noise, seduction, but not even a hint of knowledge.  She competes for attention, sitting like a sluggard. (I've been dying to use that word again 😝) The fear of man is the first step toward folly.  They are poor in spirit, and would rather live in "ignorance is bliss" than pursue wisdom.  In contrast to Lady Wisdom's carefully crafted banquet, Lady Folly has bread and water.  And she couldn't even be bothered to prepare it herself; the water is stolen and the bread is "secret". 🤷  Lady Folly's party is tragic, it takes place in hell and everyone is dead.  💀

To choose between Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly is to return to creation.  God split the chaos into order.  To choose between the two ladies is to return to Eden, the ancient choice between the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

Lady Folly offers a chaotic life ending in death.  She offers a counterfeit scented oil on a bed of adultery.  She offers stolen water and secret bread.  She prefers her people to remain simple, naive, senseless, poor, lost. 

Lady Wisdom offers an ordered life ending in eternal life.  She offers a shelter that she knows is good because she built it herself. (The word for Wisdom in Hebrew actually has the meaning of protection, covering, life, covenant.  A sacred shelter and sanctuary.)    She isn't content for her guests to remain simple, naive, senseless, poor, and lost.  She gives them insight, instruction, knowledge, counsel.  She wants to be known.  So who is she?  We read Lady Wisdom's words with the voice of Jesus in Proverbs 8:4-11 and we recognized Him.  Today, we see more proof that it's Jesus.  Proverbs 9:5.  "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed."  Matthew 26:26-28 "As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying  'Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Jesus, inviting us to a banquet He prepared for us Himself, providing the bread and mixing the wine.  He wants to be known. He wants to instruct, guide, and counsel us in love.   He wants us to have communion with Him.  He wants us at His banquet.  Accept His invitation and live.