Proverbs 9:14

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about wisdom:

Proverbs 9:14 (ESV)

She sits at the door of her house;

she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,

It is surprising how temptation can feel so alluring and inviting.   Yet, this is what Solomon is telling us in the above proverb.   In chapter eight and in the beginning of chapter nine we are told that Wisdom sits out on the street and calls to every passer-by, offering her beauty and benefits.    In this proverb, Solomon is now telling us that Folly is also at the door, calling out to those who wish to experience her "advertised" beauty and benefits.   Solomon wants his naive children to know they will have these two directions in life.   God's children will be lead by God's Spirit to Wisdom.   It is a journey of faith.  Yet, our flesh wants what Folly has to offer.   Folly's cry is similar to Wisdom's cry.   They both sit at the door.   We see one through the eyes of the flesh and the other through the eyes of faith.  Pursuing God by faith will allow us to have Wisdom and all Her benefits.   Folly will offer something that feels and looks like benefits, but in reality they are only an illusion.  We can't always see the benefits of Wisdom.  We believe them by faith because Proverbs 8 and 9 tell us they are there (and other parts of Scripture).   Folly can be seen, tasted, felt and experiences.   But the felling is the only benefit.  There is nothing beyond.  So, when we hear something calling from the door and asking us to enter, we need to pursue it by faith, not by flesh.

It's always nice to sit at an event with somebody who is special. If you get to go to a banquet it's always nice to sit at the head table with the most important person. If you're on an airplane it's nice to sit in first class with the most important people. When you're in school it's nice to be able to sit at the head of the class near the teacher. Solomon seems to be making that point in this proverb. He's telling us that wisdom is at a very special place. It's at the gate of the city. It's at the head of the table. It's at the most prominent place. Therefore when we have wisdom, we also sit at the head of the table, at the most important place.   When we have wisdom, according to Solomon, we're able to sit in a place where we have the ear of the king. And where we have the eye of the king. Those who fear the Lord have wisdom; and those who have wisdom are in a place that can use the fear of the Lord to promote Godly influence. Wisdom not only promotes you, it promotes God's influence in the world. Acquire wisdom. Wisdom is the principal thing, get it!