49 LESSON 5 PROVERBS 7:1-9:18 Proverbs 7:1-27 Final instruction of father to his son Make wisdom and understanding an intricate part of your life So that she (wisdom) will guard you from the deception of folly. Proverbs 8:1-36 Second Speech of Lady Wisdom 8:1-3 Introduction 8:4-11 Wisdom designates her audience and describes her values 8:12-21 Wisdom s affection for those who love her 8:22-31 Wisdom s origins and relation to humanity 8:32-36 Conclusion Proverbs 9:1-18 9:1-6 Invitation by Woman Wisdom Lady Wisdom lays out a banquet for her guests. She is calm and prepared. She is associated with the Holy One. She offers the promise of a life well lived. 9:7-12 Fear of the Lord 9:13-18 Invitation by Woman Folly Lady Folly also lays out a banquet for her guests. She is boisterous and ignorant. She calls out to any who will listen to her, but her ultimate end is death.
50 DAY ONE Proverbs 7:1-27 Proverbs chapter seven continues along with the theme of chapters five and six. The father addresses his son, encouraging him to walk in his ways, to observe his commandments and discouraging him from following down the path of the adulteress woman. This chapter contains an introduction (7:1-5), a description of the behavior to avoid (7:6-23), and a conclusion as to why the son should heed the father s advice (7:24-27). The father and the strange woman both use their words to compete for the affections of the son. Read Prov. 7:1-5 1. Prov. 7:1-5 provides the key to keeping oneself on the right path. What is it? How do you do this in your own life? 2. What does it mean in 7:4 that wisdom is a sister and understanding an intimate friend? 3. Read Proverbs 3:32 (New American Standard Version) For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. What does intimacy with the Lord look like? 4. Read Prov. 7:6-23 In 7:6-7, how does the father gain his wisdom? 5. In 7:7, the father describes a group of men. What adjectives does he use? How is the one particular man different from the others?
51 6. This chapter describes an illicit sexual liason. How is the woman described initially? How is the encounter described at end of the section? 7. Read Prov. 7:21. What are the weapons the woman possesses that enable her to seduce the young man? 8. Read Genesis 4:6-7. What similarities are there between the depiction of sin and the woman of Proverbs 7? 9. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. What hope is there for those who struggle to stay on the right path? 10. Read Proverbs 7:24-27. This section comprises the final words of advice from the father to the son. In 7:25, what does the father emphasize as the most important part of a person s being? 11. From previous lessons, how important is it to guard our heart? 12. What is the last word in 7:27? How appealing is the adulteress flattery in light of the consequences of a relationship with her? DAY TWO Proverbs chapter eight is unique in this book. We have encountered Wisdom speaking as a personification in chapter one (1:20-33), but she is never so bold as she appears in chapter eight. In this passage we learn that Wisdom resides in close proximity with
52 God. We also learn that she has a unique relationship with humankind. Not only was she a witness to the creation of humanity (and so intimately acquainted with our ways), but she is also said to have great affection for us. Because of her knowledge of mankind her delight in God s creation, Wisdom has the ultimate authority to speak into our lives. Read Proverbs 8:1-5 1. This is the second Wisdom speech in the book of Proverbs. Where does Wisdom go to deliver her speech? One of the most important designations of Wisdom s location is the gates of the city. These designate the heart of commerce, judicial activity, and social exchange, and here the heights would suggest the top of the city walls. i 2. Who is Wisdom s audience? 3. Compare the way in which Wisdom addresses her audience with the strange woman or the adulteress of 7:9-10. Read Proverbs 8:6-11 4. What things proceed from the mouth of Wisdom? 5. Three characters are depicted as speaking in Proverbs 1-9; the father, Wisdom, and the adulteress/strange woman. How are the words of the three speakers characterized? Read Deuteronomy 32:4-5 These words are uttered by Moses, just prior to his death as he passes his authority on to Joshua and gives an extended discourse to encourage the Israelites to continue following their God despite the difficulties that lie ahead for them.
53 5. How are Wisdom s words and teachings similar to those attributed to God? What implications may be drawn? DAY THREE Read Proverbs 8:12-21 1. Who are some of Wisdom s associates? 2. Wisdom makes the claim that she is more valuable than wealth? Do you think this is true? Can you think of a person who has chosen to walk in the ways of Wisdom rather than pursuing wealth? Are the two mutually exclusive? 3. Prov. 8:13 says that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. What things are associated with evil? According to Prov. 1:7, how is the fear of the Lord described? 4. In the first part of chapter eight, Wisdom was addressing anyone who would listen to her. In this section, what types of people are said to be empowered by Wisdom? Can you think of some political rulers who embody Wisdom? What about those who don t? 5. Prov. 8:21 speaks of Wisdom filling the listening person s treasuries. What would that look like in your own life?
54 DAY FOUR Read Proverbs 8:22-36 1. At what point in time did Wisdom become associated with the Lord? Why is this important? 2. How does God view Wisdom in this passage? 3. How does Wisdom view mankind in this passage? 4. How does it make you feel that the basic motivation for all of Wisdom s speeches, commands, prohibitions, and warnings is one of delight and affection? 5. What should the basic motivation for behavioral choices in our lives be? 6. What is the motivation for choices you make in your life? 7. Prov. 8:32-36 summarizes the two paths that once can choose. What adjectives characterize each path? What is the last word of chapter eight (it is the same as the last word in chapter seven)? Why would anyone not choose the way of life and favor with the Lord?
55 DAY FIVE Read Proverbs 9:1-18 The first section of Proverbs, chapters one through nine, closes with a final image of two women issuing an invitation to a banquet. The first woman is Wisdom and the second is folly. Both have meals prepared, both sit at the heights of the city calling out to pass by, yet there is only one choice that can be made. The chapter ends leaving the reader to make their choice as to which invitation he or she is going to accept. The choice should seem obvious, yet there are many who make the wrong decision. The first six verses of chapter nine are devoted to describing Wisdom s banquet, the final six verses present Folly s invitation, and the verses in between the two invitations focus on correction, righteousness, knowledge, and understanding. 1. Read Prov. 14:1 and 24:3-4. What do these verses say about Wisdom s house versus Folly s house? 2. Compare 9:1-3 with 9:13. How do Wisdom and Folly go about preparing their banquet? How would you describe each one s demeanor? 3. Which banquet appears to be more elaborate? 4. Both Wisdom and Folly present themselves in nearly identical terms. Have you found it to be true in your own life that wisdom and folly can initially appear so similar? 5. Prov. 9:8-9 speaks of the teachability of the wise man. What does he gain by listening to Wisdom? 6. Do you consider yourself to be teachable?
56 7. How does it feel to be around people who do not accept reproof or instruction? 8. Prov. 1:7 and Prov. 9:10 form brackets to the first section of the book of Proverbs. Why do you think the author brings up the concept of fear of the Lord at the end of this section? 9. Based on the image of the two women calling out to you, which voice do you think you have heeded the most throughout your life?
57 SCRIPTURE FOR LESSON FIVE Day One Proverbs 7:1-5 My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye. 3 Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," And call understanding your intimate friend; 5 That they may keep you from an adulteress, From the foreigner who flatters with her words. Proverbs 3:32 For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. Proverbs 7:6-23 6 For at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, 7 And I saw among the naive, And discerned among the youths A young man lacking sense, 8 Passing through the street near her corner; And he takes the way to her house, 9 In the twilight, in the evening, In the middle of the night and in the darkness. 10 And behold, a woman comes to meet him, Dressed as a harlot and cunning of heart. 11 She is boisterous and rebellious, Her feet do not remain at home; 12 She is now in the streets, now in the squares, And lurks by every corner. 13 So she seizes him and kisses him And with a brazen face she says to him: 14 "I was due to offer peace offerings; Today I have paid my vows. 15 "Therefore I have come out to meet you, To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you. 16 "I have spread my couch with coverings, With colored linens of Egypt. 17 "I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. 18 "Come, let us drink our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with caresses. 19 "For my husband is not at home, He has gone on a long journey; 20 He has taken a bag of money with him, At the full moon he will come home." 21 With her many persuasions she entices him; With her flattering lips she seduces him. 22 Suddenly he follows her As an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, 23 Until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, So he does not know that it will cost him his life. Genesis 4:6-7 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." Hebrews 12:1-2 Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Proverbs 7:24-27 24 Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, And pay attention to the words of my mouth. 25 Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her
58 paths. 26 For many are the victims she has cast down, And numerous are all her slain. 27 Her house is the way to Sheol, Descending to the chambers of death. Day Two Proverbs 8:1-11 Does not wisdom call, And understanding lift up her voice? 2 On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, At the entrance of the doors, she cries out: 4 "To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 5 "O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom. 6 "Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. 7 "For my mouth will utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8 "All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; There is nothing crooked or perverted in them. 9 "They are all straightforward to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. 10 "Take my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold. 11 "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 3 "For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God! 4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He. Day Three Proverbs 8:12-21 12 "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion. 13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverted mouth, I hate. 14 "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 15 "By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. 16 "By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly. 17 "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me. 18 "Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness. 19 "My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield better than choicest silver. 20 "I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, 21 To endow those who love me with wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. Day Four Proverbs 8:22-36 22 "The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. 23 "From everlasting I was established, From the beginning, from the earliest times of the earth. 24 "When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no springs abounding with water. 25 "Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills I was brought forth; 26 While He had not yet made the earth and the fields, Nor the first dust of the world. 27 "When He established the heavens, I was there, When He inscribed a circle on the face of the deep, 28 When He made firm the skies above, When the springs of the deep became fixed, 29 When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out
59 the foundations of the earth; 30 Then I was beside Him, as a master workman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, 31 Rejoicing in the world, His earth, And having my delight in the sons of men. 32 "Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways. 33 "Heed instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. 34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. 35 "For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD. 36 "But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death." Day Five Proverbs 9:1-18 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; 3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: 4 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks understanding she says, 5 "Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 "Forsake your folly and live, And proceed in the way of understanding." 7 He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it. 13 The woman of folly is boisterous, She is naive and knows nothing. 14 She sits at the doorway of her house, On a seat by the high places of the city, 15 Calling to those who pass by, Who are making their paths straight: 16 "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here," And to him who lacks understanding she says, 17 "Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant." 18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 24:3-4 3 By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; 4 And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
60 FOR FURTHER STUDY Beneath the surface of Proverbs lies what Roland Murphy has termed the fundamental Yahwistic document of Israel, Deuteronomy chapters 6 and 11. The book of Deuteronomy belongs to the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, and contains the contractual agreement between God (Yahweh) and the Israelites regarding the nature of their relationship. God made a covenant with Israel, prior to the time of Moses and the writing of the Torah, through the person of Abraham. In His covenant He promises to be faithful to His people. Although He will never forsake the Israelites, He did have expectations that are laid out in the book of Deuteronomy. These expectations are presented in terms of blessing and curse. To the one who loves the Lord, follows His commands and diligently seeks Him will come blessing. To the one who forsakes the Lord will come calamity and harm. The two ways are dramatically presented and it is clear that the future of Israel rests upon whether or not the people of Israel remain faithful to their God. Israel s history in the Old Testament is one of sporadic faith. At times they are a faithful people, showing a valiant trust in their Lord. At other times they turn their heads and follow the gods of other nations. Ultimately Israel went into captivity to other nations (under the hand of God) because of their lack of faith. There has always been a note of restoration however, in all of the condemnatory words spoken by the prophets of Israel. No matter what the circumstances, if God s people are willing to turn toward Him, He is more than willing to lavish His attention upon them. The following verses from Deuteronomy 11 are echoed throughout the first nine chapters of Proverbs. Deuteronomy 11:13-23 13 "It shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul, 14 that He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil. 15 "He will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. 16 "Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them. 17 "Or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you. 18 "You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 19 "You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. 20 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens remain above the earth. 22 "For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, 23 then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.
61 Deuteronomy 11:26-28 26 "See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known. i Roland Murphy, Word Biblical Commentary: Proverbs, vol. 22, eds. Bruce Metzger, David Hubbard, and Glenn Barker, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998), 49.