Proverbs chapters 7 to 9

The last, and greatest, of Solomon’s lessons, begins here. Since chapter 1, we have read the words that Solomon taught to his son. Now, in chapters 7-9, Solomon teaches his final lesson to his son. (Solomon’s lessons end in chapter 9. From chapter 10, the Book of Proverbs lists short proverbs (wise words).)

In these chapters, Solomon writes three great poems.

·  The first great poem is in chapter 7. This poem is about a woman who tempts a simple man. This man behaves like a fool, because he trusts her. He does not realise what will happen to him.

·  The second great poem is in chapter 8. This poem is a speech. The speaker is the woman called Wisdom. Everyone should listen to her words.

·  The final great poem is chapter 9. This poem contrasts the woman called Wisdom, against another woman, called ‘The Foolish Woman’. Both women invite the simple people to a meal. If you accept the right invitation, then you will live. If you accept the other invitation, then you will die.

Proverbs chapter 7

Verses 1-4

Previously, Solomon told us to learn to be wise (Proverbs 2:2). Now, he tells us to keep wisdom in our hearts. Previously, Solomon told us to accept wisdom (Proverbs 2:1). Now he tells us that Wisdom is like our sister. (He is comparing wisdom to a woman.)

Solomon’s lesson is a very personal lesson. Wisdom must be close to us. Wisdom must become part of us. Wisdom must be part of our lives. Wisdom must guide every decision.

Verse 5

Especially, wisdom will protect us when evil things attract us. As in earlier chapters, Solomon writes about sex. However, he is thinking about all types of evil behaviour. His story warns us about people who tempt us with their evil ideas. In the story, a woman tempts a man to have sex. Solomon shows how one person can tempt another person. He also shows us the result if we do evil things.

Verse 6

The story begins here. Solomon was watching the people. He was watching, because he wanted to learn more. He wanted to see other people’s mistakes. He wanted to understand more. He wanted to become wiser.

Verse 7

Solomon saw a young man who was ‘simple’. (See my note on Proverbs 1:4.) This young man had not learned to be wise. He was in danger, because he was not wise. It was easy to tempt him. He did not think about what was right.

Verse 8

We want to shout to the young man, ‘Stop!’ He walked along the wrong road. Down that road, there was danger. He approached the place where the woman would tempt him.

The young man was simple. He did not think about wisdom. Perhaps his father never taught the young man. Perhaps the young man never listened to his lessons. Maybe he forgot about wisdom. He made a terrible mistake.

Verse 9

The young man was in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Even when we are strong, we might think wrong thoughts. However, when we are weak, evil ideas can tempt us more easily.

Night was beginning. The young man was looking for fun. He did not trust in God. He was very weak.

‘Be careful! Your enemy is the devil. He walks about, like a lion. He is looking for someone to kill and to eat.’ (1 Peter 5:8) We must stand firm and trust in God.

Verse 10

The young man was alone. Perhaps he was lonely. He was weak. He wanted fun.

Then, the woman came. She looked pretty. She looked sexy. (That is, her clothes showed the shape of her body.) The young man liked her. He needed an activity for that evening. The woman looked like the answer to his problem.

Women should choose their clothes carefully. They want to look beautiful. In some countries, sexy clothes are fashionable. But, these clothes can tempt men. These clothes can cause many problems. ‘You should be beautiful. However, you should not use clothes, haircuts or gold, to make you look beautiful. Instead, your spirit should be beautiful. You should be gentle and quiet. God considers these things valuable.’ (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Verse 11-12

This woman went everywhere! The young man could not miss her!

This is like any evil idea. If you try to do evil things, then you will do evil things.

There is a woman like this in every town. She is in every street. And there are always evil things that we could do.

Verse 13

The man and woman hugged. Then they kissed.

This is like tempting an animal into a trap. The animal might still escape. There is still hope. The animal must act quickly to escape. It must not delay.

The man could still escape. He could still run away from the woman. Each moment brought the man into more and more danger. Soon he would be unable to escape.

Verse 15

This was a lie. Verse 11 told us, ‘she never stays at home’. The woman was looking for any man. To her, this man was not special. She just wanted to have sex with him. She just wanted to destroy him.

Verse 16-17

The woman talked about her bed. Now, we are sure that she was thinking about sex. She wanted to get the man into her bed. Surely the man realised her plan. Perhaps he hesitated. If so, he did not escape. Instead, he waited. He let her speak. She spoke, and tempted him more.

Verse 18

Then the young man knew the truth. She invited him to stay for the night, in her bed. She promised love, but really she wanted sex.

Verse 19

The woman told the young man that he was safe.

But, she had a husband. If the young man slept with the woman, then the husband would be angry. This is dangerous.

If the young man were wise, he would escape now. He should run away. He must not delay. A right decision would save him. A wrong decision could kill him.

From his window, Solomon watched them. He heard the woman’s words. He saw the man make his decision. Solomon hoped that the young man was wise. Solomon hoped that the young man would make the right decision.

Verse 22

The end came suddenly. As Solomon watched by the moon’s light, the young man turned. The woman started to walk away. Then the young man followed the woman. Together they walked into her house. Nobody could stop them. Nobody could save the young man.

The way that the man followed the woman reminded Solomon of something. It reminded him of an animal that was soon to die. Like a bird in a trap, the young man had lost everything. Wisdom would have saved him.

Verse 23

Solomon saw no more. But then he says that the young man died. Solomon is explaining what might happen to such a man in the end.

Solomon’s message is clear. We should learn to be wise. Then we shall escape from danger. We must refuse to do evil things. Otherwise, we shall be in great danger.

Verse 24

Solomon speaks to his ‘sons’ (plural). In verse 1, he was speaking only to one son. The story was a personal lesson, to a loved son. Now, he speaks to us all. We all need to be wise. We all need to be careful.

Verse 25

Solomon is not writing about the actual woman whom he saw. He is writing about women like her. But he is really thinking about evil ideas. These thoughts can spoil your life. They will take you to death and hell (verse 27). Obey God! Do not obey your evil thoughts!

Verses 26-27

In the story, the woman offered love, but instead she caused great danger. She offered fun and life, but she gave only death. Evil ideas might seem attractive. But such thoughts are really lies. In reality, evil behaviour will only hurt us.

Evil behaviour has ruined the lives of many people. And evil behaviour continues to ruin lives today.

Proverbs chapter 8

Verse 1

This is the second of Solomon’s three great poems. Wisdom, like a woman, gives a speech to all the people.

In verse 1, there are not two women. Wisdom is one woman, but she has two names. Her names are Wisdom and Intelligence. This is because wisdom is the same thing as intelligence. Right decisions and accurate knowledge are also the same thing as wisdom.

All these things will be ours when we trust in God. They do not come immediately. We need to learn to be wise. This is a slow process. Each day, we should learn new lessons. God teaches us in different ways. Sometimes he teaches us from the Bible. Sometimes he uses other people to teach us. Sometimes he uses nature or other methods to teach us.

If we are teachers, then we must be patient. It takes many years to learn law or medicine. In the same way, many people are slow to learn wisdom. Even for leaders in the five-fold some lessons can take years to learn.

A church leader is a type of teacher. He teaches the people that he serves. Often, he must repeat the same lessons several times. The teacher must try to be a model for his people. He cares for them. He tries to advise them about the Bible. He prays for them. The teacher himself also needs to learn more. He knows that he is not perfect.

Verses 2-3

The evil woman (in Proverbs 7:12) went everywhere. Wisdom is also everywhere. Wherever people are, Wisdom is there. (Wisdom is like a woman.) She is waiting to advise them. She wants to help them. She will guide them to make right decisions. She will show them good ways. She will help them to trust in God.

Many people do not listen to Wisdom. They do not want her advice. She still calls out, because her message is important to everyone.

Verse 4

This is a message to everyone. Wisdom (the woman) speaks to the people in every nation. You may be rich or poor. You may be a ruler, or an ordinary person. You may be a man or a woman. You may be young or old. Everyone needs to be wise.

Verse 5

Solomon uses special meanings for the words ‘simple’ and ‘foolish’.

The ‘fool’ is proud and lazy. He does not want to serve God. He hates wisdom. He prefers to do evil things. If you try to teach a fool, he will hate you. He will only learn if God changes him.

The ‘simple’ person does not know what is right or wrong. He has not learned to be wise. He chooses to do evil things, because ‘everybody does it’. But you can teach a simple person. A simple person can learn to be wise.

Verses 6-9

The woman called Wisdom speaks good words. Her words are always true (verse 6). They are fair (verse 7). She does not speak wrong words (verse 7). Everything that she says is perfect (verse 9).

God is like this. He uses the Bible to teach us. The Bible is the word of God. The Bible is always true (Psalm 119:89). The Bible is fair (Psalm 119:75). The Bible is never wrong (Psalm 119:68). It is perfect (Psalm 119:137-138).

Verses 10-11

Money is not really valuable. Silver and gold are beautiful, but they cannot give a good life to you. Wisdom is valuable. Wisdom is better than money, silver or gold.

The Bible is also better than these things. ‘I love God’s commands more than the purest gold.’ (Psalm 119:127)

Verses 10-11

Money is not really valuable. Silver and gold are beautiful, but they cannot give a good life to you. Wisdom is valuable. Wisdom is better than money, silver or gold.

The Bible is also better than these things. ‘I love God’s commands more than the purest gold.’ (Psalm 119:127)

Verses 10-11 are similar to Proverbs 3:14-15. In Proverbs 3, Solomon is speaking to his son about the woman called Wisdom. ‘She is worth more than silver. She is even more valuable than gold. She is more valuable than precious stones. No valuable things compare with her.’ Now, in verses 10-11, Wisdom herself agrees that this is true.

Verse 12

If you are wise, then you will also be skilful. Your wisdom will help you to make the right decisions.

Verse 13

The first lesson in wisdom is that we must respect God.

Wisdom hates these things:

·  Evil deeds. When we serve God, we should not do evil actions. God will teach us to do the right things. If we do wrong things, then we must ask God to forgive us.

·  Proud people. A proud person trusts in himself. He will not listen to God. He will not listen to other people.

·  Greedy people. God wants us to be generous.

·  Lies. God loves the truth.

Verses 15-16

Solomon, who wrote the Book of Proverbs, was a king. He knew that he was responsible for many people. When he was young, he wanted to be a good king. He studied wisdom so that he would rule wisely. All rulers and leaders can learn from him.

A king should not use his power to steal money from other people. His people should not suffer so that he can have fun. He should care about the people. He should rule them fairly. His laws should be fair. He should use his power carefully. Everyone who has responsibility for other people should think about this. Employers, rulers and judges need God’s wisdom. Church leaders also need God’s wisdom.

Verses 18-19

The best wealth is not money or gold. Rich people can lose their money. But wisdom is not like money. When we learn wisdom, it will benefit our whole lives.

Verse 21

The woman called Wisdom is generous. She gives true wealth. We can love many things. Some people love wine. But too much wine will kill them. Some people love money. But they can lose everything in a single day. If we love wisdom, then God will look after us. He cares about us. Jesus said, ‘Love God, with all your heart, spirit and mind! This is the first and greatest law.’ (Matthew 22:37-38)

The woman called Wisdom continues her speech. She explains how God made the world.

Verse 22

We all need wisdom. Even God used his wisdom to make the world. In the beginning, before ancient times, wisdom was there.

Verse 23

Wisdom is like God’s word. God’s word existed in the beginning. And God’s word created the world, when God the Father gave his command. (John 1:1)

The ‘word’ is another name for Jesus. Jesus always existed with God in heaven. Jesus is the Son of God. There is only one God, but Jesus is God. This is difficult to understand. We cannot understand everything about God. We must trust God about the things that we do not understand.

Verse 24-29

The poem described how God made the world. God worked carefully. He loves people. So he prepared a beautiful home for us. Compare this with Genesis 1.

The poem talks about the ‘birth’ of wisdom. This is poetry. The poet is not saying that one day, wisdom was born. He does not think that before this, there was no wisdom. God was wise, even before ancient times. God was wise, even before he made the world. God has always been wise.

Verses 30-31

God worked with Wisdom. (Solomon continues to compare wisdom with a woman.) Together, God and Wisdom were glad to see the world. Together, they were happy about God’s work. Especially, they were glad to see the people. God made people to be in his image (Genesis 1:26). This means that people should behave like him. People should use wisdom. When people make things, they should be wise. When they lead other people, they should be wise.

These verses are also sad. They describe what God wanted. God’s plan was that he would live with us. But the people refused God’s love (Genesis 3:9-13). They refused wisdom.

Jesus died to bring us back to God. We should trust in God. We should greatly desire God’s wisdom.

Verse 32

The woman, Wisdom, asks us to listen to her. She will bless us. She will teach us to be wise. We must not refuse her advice.

Verses 34-35

If a man listens to wisdom, then he will benefit. This man does not just listen to one lesson, and then walk away. Every day, he wants more wisdom. He is like a child who is waiting at his mother’s door. The child waits for mother to wake, so that she will teach him! We should always want to learn more wisdom. God will be kind to us, if we do this.

Verse 36

If a man refuses wisdom, then he will suffer. His punishment is severe. A man who hates wisdom will die.

Proverbs chapter 9

Solomon’s last, great lesson to his son is almost complete. Perhaps Solomon paused here. Maybe he thought about whether he had taught enough. His young son needed the full facts. The son needed to decide between wise behaviour and evil behaviour. His decision would guide his entire life. In the future, the son would be king, like his father Solomon. Then, the son would become powerful. Solomon wanted the son to choose wisdom.

Solomon decided to add a final, great poem. This poem would explain wisdom to his son, but it would also explain the opposite of wisdom. Then, at last, the son would know enough. Then, the son could make his own decision. The son must choose whether he wanted to be wise. If not, the son would be a fool, and the whole nation would suffer.

Verse 1

The woman, called Wisdom, has worked hard. She has decided to invite guests. She has even built a special house to give them a special welcome. The house has 7 columns, so it is large. It is complete, and it is perfect. The number 7 may refer to the 7 instructions in verses 6-12.

Verse 2

Everything is ready. The woman, Wisdom, has made a great meal for her guests. Her guests will not remain hungry. Wisdom has prepared everything that they need.

God provides the things that we need. Paul wrote, ‘My God will provide everything that you need. He will do this from the riches that are in Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:19) Jesus said, ‘Look at the birds! They do not grow their own food. However, God feeds them. You are more valuable than the birds.’ (Matthew 6:26)

The Bible compares heaven with an invitation to a meal. ‘The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let everyone who hears repeat, “Come!” If you need to drink, then come! Take the free gift of the water of life!’ (Revelation 22:17) ‘Come, if you need to drink! Come to the water! If you have no money, then still come! Without any money, you can buy and you can eat! Buy wine and milk! You do not need money, because there is no cost.’ (Isaiah 55:1)

Verse 3

The servants of Wisdom (the woman) go to fetch the guests. Wisdom herself has invited the guests. Everyone can hear her message because everyone must choose whether to learn to be wise.

In Luke 14:15-24, Jesus told a story about a meal. A man invited all his friends to a great meal, but they all refused. The man was very angry. If his friends would not come, then other people must enjoy his great meal. He invited poor people and ill people. He invited blind people. He invited people who could not walk. Everybody was welcome.

Jesus’ story means that we should invite everyone to become Christians. If our friends refuse, we must invite other people. We can invite poor people and ill people. We can invite people that we do not like. We can even invite our enemies. God wants us to do this. In heaven, God is preparing a great meal. God’s house must be full of people. If our friends refuse, they will not be at God’s great meal. Other people will take their place.

Verse 4

Wisdom, the woman, chooses her guests carefully. They are not the guests whom we might select. She does not choose only clever people, whose conversation will be good. She does not choose only famous people, so that other people will respect her. She does not even select wealthy people.

Wisdom’s guests are ‘simple’ people. They are people who do not know about good and evil behaviour. They are people who do many wrong things. These people have not yet learned to be wise. Wisdom, the woman, wants to teach them. She wants to show the right way to them. She wants to lead them to God.

Jesus said, ‘When you make a meal, do not invite your friends! Do not invite your brothers or your relatives! Do not invite your rich neighbours! If you do, they might invite you back. You wanted to give a gift, but they will repay you. When you make a great meal, invite poor people! Invite ill people! Invite blind people! Invite people who cannot walk. Then God will be kind to you. These people cannot invite you back. Instead, God will reward you in heaven.’ (Luke 14:12-14)

Verse 6

A person must do two things to become a Vessel for God:

·  He must turn from evil behaviour. The woman called Wisdom, says, ‘Leave your simple ways, and live!’

·  He must trust in God. The woman called Wisdom says, ‘Live wisely!’

Peter explained this in Acts 3:19. ‘Refuse to do evil things! Turn to God! If you do this, then God will forgive you. He will give a new life to you.’

Verse 7

Some people will never listen to you. They refuse to follow advice. They refuse all correction.

Verse 8

Perhaps, you think that you are wise. Here is a test for you. A wise man loves the person who corrects him. A wise man learns from the person who sees his (the wise man’s) errors. If you love such a person then you are really wise.

Verse 9

A Christian should always want to learn. The verse speaks about a ‘wise man’ and a ‘good man’. A Christian should want to be both ‘wise’ and ‘good’. At church, he should learn from the preacher (that is, the speaker). At home, he should learn from his family. At work, he should learn to be fair and honest. When he is alone, he should pray. He should read the Bible and learn from God. If he does this, he will become wiser. He will learn more. He will know God more and more.

Verse 10

A wise person is not always intelligent or clever. He might know only a few things. Maybe, he has only learnt his first lesson.

This is the first lesson: ‘Respect God!’ God must be first in our lives. God is more important than our businesses. God is more important than our friends. God is even more important than our families. When we make a decision, we must first think about God. We must ask whether our plans are good or evil. We must decide whether our plans give honour to God.

This is only the first lesson. But it is a great lesson. This lesson will teach us to be wise. If we respect God, then evil ideas will not attract us. If we respect God, then we shall try to be fair and honest with other people. If we respect God, then money will not control our lives. If we respect God, then we shall want to learn from God.

Verse 11

Wisdom, like a woman, cares for us. She is like a mother. If a child does not listen to his mother, then he is in danger. If a child learns from his mother, her instructions will keep him safe.

Verse 12

Wisdom offers a real reward. Wisdom will benefit our whole lives. If you refuse to be wise, then you will suffer.

The woman called Wisdom finishes her speech. This is her final speech in the Book of Proverbs. The poem is also approaching its end. But then we see another woman. This second woman is also shouting out. She also has an invitation. She too offers a meal. If you are simple, then you might confuse this other woman with Wisdom. If you are simple, then you might make a terrible mistake.

Verse 13

The second woman is called ‘The Foolish Woman’.

People who accept her invitation are foolish. This is why she has this name.

Wisdom, the woman, says that knowledge is valuable (Proverbs 8:10). The Foolish Woman does not think so. She thinks that knowledge has no value. She knows nothing.

Verse 14

The woman called Wisdom prepared a fine meal for her guests. Wisdom even built a splendid house for them.

But the Foolish Woman is lazy. The Foolish Woman did none of these things. She does not even stand to invite her guests. She sits down.

The messages of the two women both come from the highest place in the city. So everyone will hear both messages. Nobody will miss them. Everyone will receive both invitations. We cannot accept both invitations. We must choose. Either we follow wisdom, or we are foolish.

Verse 15

The people walk straight ahead. Solomon compares life to a journey. We should walk straight ahead. See Proverbs 4:25-26. We must not allow evil things to attract us.

The Foolish Woman calls to people. She wants to tempt them away from the straight path. She wants to take them on the path to her house. She will lead them away from God. In the end she will destroy them.

Verse 16

We heard this invitation earlier, in verse 4. The Foolish Woman gives the same words of invitation as the woman called Wisdom.

The Foolish Woman also calls ‘simple’ people. Evil people have decided already to be foolish. The simple people have not yet decided. The Foolish Woman tries to persuade them. She wants to tempt them.

Verse 17

The Foolish Woman also offers a meal to her guests. However, her meal does not belong to her. She stole the water. She must eat in secret.

‘Water’ reminds us of Proverbs 5:15-18. In that passage, ‘water’ refers to love and sex. So, the Foolish Woman offers sex. She ‘stole’ sex, so this is not sex between a husband and wife. This is the same invitation as Proverbs 7:18-20. This is why the meal is secret. So the meal also gives the idea of sex.

The woman tempts the simple man with evil ideas. Solomon is thinking about all evil things, not just sex. If we are foolish, then we shall choose to do evil things. If we refuse to be wise, then we also refuse to follow God.

Evil actions might feel ‘good’. Evil actions might feel ‘wonderful’. These are only feelings; they are not reality. The reality is that evil behaviour is always wrong. The reality is that evil behaviour will destroy us. The reality is that God hates all evil things.

Verse 18

‘Death is like a wage for the person who does evil things. But God gives us life that will last always, through Jesus.’ (Romans 6:23)

Death and hell are the punishments for our evil actions. So we must not do evil things. Instead, we should serve God. And we should ask God to forgive us. God wants us to trust him. God’s love is like a free gift. God offers real life. We shall not die. We shall live always with him, in heaven. This is the best invitation.

We must make our choice. We can be wise, or we can be foolish. Make the right decision! God wants us all to learn to be wise.

The story of Solomon and his son

The Book of Proverbs hides a story. Solomon was a wise king for most of his life. When he became old, Solomon forgot his wisdom. He had many wives. His wives tempted him to serve false gods. He did not remember God, who gave wisdom to him. He served false gods. The real God was angry with Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-10).

Solomon wrote Proverbs 1:1 to Proverbs 9:18 for his son. He wanted his son to learn wisdom. Solomon tried to teach his son. Solomon’s son was called Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the king when Solomon died. Rehoboam never followed wisdom. When he became king, his first decision was to refuse wisdom. He refused to obey the advice of Solomon’s wise advisers. Instead, he chose advisers who knew nothing (1 Kings 12:1-19). Rehoboam’s first decision was a terrible decision.

Most of the people refused to serve Rehoboam. There was a revolution and a war. The nation split in two.

Solomon led a great nation. His nation was always at peace. His son, Rehoboam, led a small nation. Rehoboam was always at war (1 Kings 14:30). In the end in the book of Ecclesiastes, brought Solomon heart back unto God, with Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding.

King Solomon Secrets, are examples for us to learn, embrace, and apply wisdom to our life daily.