Proverbs 9:1
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Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:
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Proverbs is poetical with beautiful and powerful language. It has proverbs, parables, and personifications among many forms. Here is personification, where wisdom is a beautiful woman offering friendship with men for their safety and success. See the notes on 8:1.
Our Lady Wisdom has built a house - one large enough to accommodate many - so we think of a hotel. Here you can live a safe and long life in prosperity and pleasure, for she has designed every feature to satisfy your needs and desires. It is the paradise we seek.
There are many rooms available, and the Lady is calling for guests (1:20-21; 8:1-4). The only condition for entry is to be foolish and have a desire to be wise! There is no cost (Is 55:1-3), and you will never be discharged, unless you no longer want friendship with her.
The hotel is supported and decorated by seven beautiful pillars, which are the permanent perfection of wisdom. Seven is the perfect number of God and wisdom (Gen 2:1-3). You need not worry about decay, for it was set up from everlasting (8:23). Admire it!
Dear reader, you must choose. Would you live here the rest of your life? Or do the foolish men in the street attract you (1:10-19; 9:6)? Does the strange woman sitting at the door of her house tempt you to stay with her (7:8; 9:13-17)? See the notes on 9:15.
Most pass by Lady Wisdom's beautiful hotel without any interest, for they are infatuated with the lusts of their flesh and eyes and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). They do not want wisdom, for they are in love with the world's foolishness and their own thoughts.
Lady Wisdom's hotel seems boring to their ignorant and depraved minds. But to those who enter and partake of the offered amenities, they will find all precious substance, pleasure, and long life (3:13-18; 8:11,18-21). Look at her preparations for you (9:2-5)!
Do not neglect her invitation. Rooms are free: but rejection is very costly. If you reject her free offer of peace and prosperity, she will punish your foolish heart with calamities and trouble. She will bring you down to destruction with fear and trembling (1:24-32). She will turn to be your enemy and turn your life upside down with grief and pain.
A noble man will humble himself, lift grateful thanks to heaven, and run into the hotel today! He will use the information desk and concierge to explore every opportunity and amenity it has to offer, and he will apply himself with all diligence to keep the rules of the house for a perpetual stay in health and happiness. Show our Lady your zeal!
Our Lady's house is the place of wisdom. It is the source of understanding and instruction. You choose her house by choosing the path of wisdom laid out in Proverbs and the rest of Scripture. You reject her by keeping your own thoughts and following the ideas of this world. It should be a simple choice, but most will take the wide road to hell.
Dear Christian, the Lord Jesus has built His house, the church and temple of the living God (Matt 16:18), where the Holy Spirit lives for the comfort and success of His people (Eph 2:19-22; I Tim 3:15). By entering it with a pure heart full of faith, we join the eternal house in heaven, filled with the spirits of just men and angels (Heb 12:22-24).
Are you entering His house with the zeal of those who heard John the Baptist and Jesus? They pressed into the kingdom of God with violent force (Matt 11:12-13; Luke 16:16)!
Is His house so important you would rather be a doorkeeper there than live anywhere else (Ps 84:10)? Is His house more important to you than even your chief joy (Ps 137:5-6)?
Lord, lead us to Wisdom and never let us stray. Cause us to run in the way of your commandments; incline our hearts to your precepts; deliver us from temptation and evil. Amen.
The world's most desirable woman has built a hotel, and you are invited to stay there free for the rest of your life. It is the perfect place to live with delightful amenities for your every need and total protection from every danger. What do you think, dear reader?
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