Proverbs 9:4

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them being naive: 

Proverbs 9:4 (NASBStr)

Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”

To him who lacks understanding she says,

(This is the same proverb as 9:16)

If you were going to have a party who would you invite?  If you were going to put out the fine linen and most expensive tableware, who would be the invited guests.   If you wanted to brag about a party you had just put on, would not you top the description of the layout with the names of all those who attended.  Imagine a high school senior who threw a party and invited the simple and the naive, those lacking sense.   Would they go back to school on Monday and report back to others who attended?   Imagine a mom or a business man in the same situation.  Do they not measure the success of the party based upon the number and the names of those who attend?   Fortunately Wisdom is not like a high school senior, a social-lite mom, or a businessman.  Wisdom is not looking for the person who majored in philosophy, psychology or even theology.   Wisdom is offering herself to those who need her and know they need her: The Naive.   It is those who can say, "I can't do it and don't know how, " who are best suited to attend the party Wisdom is throwing in Proverbs chapter nine.   In 1 Corinthians 1-2 we see that the wise are confounded by Wisdom of God.   They think the gospel is foolishness.  Yet, it is the very Wisdom of God because it is Jesus Christ, Wisdom personified.   In Luke 14 we read the story told by Jesus of the wealthy man who gave a banquet.  But, the rich and the popular had too much to do to attend his meal.  So, he sent out his servants into the highway and the byways to invite those who had no food; the poor and the destitute.   That is who Wisdom is calling.  Until we realize we have no understanding, we can't appreciate God's Wisdom.    She is calling those who need it and know they need it.

God is calling out and will not stop calling out. God is not willing that any should perish, but wants all to come to repentance. Some will still perish, of course, but God calls, through Wisdom. Wisdom is Christ personified. In 1 Corinthians 1 we read that Christ is the Wisdom of God. So, Wisdom, Christ, is calling out to the navie and to the one who lacks understanding. Christ is calling and wants the navie to "turn in" and those who lack understanding to listen to what wisdom has to "say." The "whoever" is navie is an important aspect of this proverb. We all have a bit of "naivity" in our blood and demonstrated in our life. When we are in a naive state and in a lack of understanding mind we need to find God's wisdom ... Jesus Christ ... and respond appropriately. If you are naive, listen.