Proverbs 9: The Difference

Proverbs 9 contains some fascinating parallels between wisdom and foolishness.  How can you determine which is which?  And, more importantly, how can you tell if you are wise or foolish?  Solomon gives us the test to find the difference!

Verses 1-6 describe the woman of wisdom, while the last six verses (vs. 13-18) speak of a foolish woman.  Notice the similarity in their messages. "You who are simple, turn in here!" is spoken from "the high places in town" in both verse 4 and 16!  You may not be able to tell the difference between wisdom and foolishness simply in how it is presented.

The wise woman is inviting the simple in so that she may instruct them; the foolish woman so that she may corrupt them.  In the house of wisdom, guests will find bread and wine prepared for them (how fitting is that!) while the hostess challenges them to "Lay aside immaturity and live, and walk in the way of insight" (vs. 6).  Hers is an invitation to life.

Meanwhile, the foolish woman has stolen water and secret bread to offer; these appear to be ill-gotten gains without any life-giving nourishment.  One key difference is found in the company kept by the wise and foolish women.  In the case of the wise woman, her guests are encouraged to grow up, be healthy and live.  In the domicile of the foolish woman, "the dead are there...her guests are in the depths of Sheol" (vs. 18).  One is a place of life; the other, a place of death.

Finally, notice the difference between the wise and the foolish mentioned in verse 8: "A scoffer who is rebuked will only hate you; the wise, when rebuked, will love you."  The wise do this because they know that through correction and instruction they will grow in wisdom and knowledge (vs. 9).

So here's the test - How do YOU respond when someone challenges you, rebukes you, or tries to teach you something?  Are you willing to humble yourself and learn so that you may grow wiser?  Or do you stiffen your back and your neck and refuse to listen to words of correction?  How you respond to teachable moments will reveal to you the inclination of your heart to either wisdom or to foolishness.  That's the difference!