Proverbs 9:16
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Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,
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Man! There is a woman that wants you! In fact, there are many of them! They all want you! This proverb has her words inviting you to come into her house, because she wants to give you a good time (9:17)! There is just one little problem ... after being with any one of them, you are dying and on your way to hell (9:18). What a cruel invitation!
Wise readers can understand this proverb. Compare 9:1-4 with 9:13-16. There are two identical invitations from two different women in this chapter. Lady Wisdom gives the first invitation (9:4); and Folly herself, or a whorish woman, gives the second invitation (9:16). Appreciate Solomon's comparison of these two women. See the comments on 9:4.
Lady Wisdom kindly calls young men simple, for she has the cure for their ignorance (9:1-4). A whore does not literally call young men simple, for she is rather using all her verbal skills to flatter and seduce them. These are Solomon's words, passing judgment on the men foolish enough to be near her. She invites all men, but only the simple listen!
Foolish young men are most vulnerable to the world's folly and fornication with whores. They are simple and lacking understanding. Burdened with overwhelming lusts, they cannot see beyond the next five minutes to the consequences of death and hell waiting for them (9:18). It is understanding and wisdom that perceives the future and avoids the pain.
Lady Wisdom has a feast of meat, mingled wine, and bread at a fine table in her custom home with seven pillars (9:1-3). Folly, or the whorish woman, offers bread and water; the lying appeal is the seductive deceit of sinful pleasures (9:17). See the comments on 9:17. Young man, will you dine in safety at a feast, or in grave danger on prison fare?
Every day, Folly and whorish women invite men to join them. They want to take men down to destruction. Every day you make choices to resist temptation or give in to it. The results are horrible. You either approach Lady Wisdom's house and seek shelter there by humbling yourself before the blessed God and consulting His precious Word, or you give in to the lying laughter of this wicked world in its offer of short-term sensual pleasure.
Wisdom demands you stay away from the folly and women of this world as much as possible. The draw of both to the natural man is too powerful to play with. Instead, wise men will fill their souls and minds with the pure gospel of Jesus Christ and the doctrine that is according to godliness. They will not even allow potential temptations. The attraction and invitation of folly and fornication are real, but so are the consequences!
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