WONDERS OF DIVINE WISDOM

“WISDOM has built her house, she has hewn out her SEVEN PILLARS” – Proverbs 9:1

Solomon mused on seven wisdom pillars, which I call WONDERS of DIVINE WISDOM: “WISDOM has built her house, she has hewn out her SEVEN PILLARS” (Pro.9:1). Wisdom is the ability to apply acquired knowledge and understanding to life’s situations. Here in Proverbs 9 are two invitations: Lady Wisdom and Lady Foolishness. Lady Wisdom sends her maidens out into the streets, the highest parts of the city to summon all to her feast. Lady Foolishness sits at the door of her home that is also in the highest part of the city, inviting all who pass by for a feast. The choice one makes is a matter of life and death, depending on whose invitation is accepted. Only those who have a reverential fear of God will choose wisely (v.10).

There is the Wonder of Wisdom’s House. Wisdom’s Way is to build her house (v.1). Proverbs 24:3 says, “Through Wisdom a house is built…” Wisdom had said: “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors” (Pro.8:34). She set up her seven pillars, which among possible interpretations, symbolises completeness; the idea that Wisdom’s home has much space, is impressive and well-made, with plenty for banqueting; whereas the fool’s house is found in “the depths of hell” (v.18). Wisdom has slaughtered her meat, mixed her wine, and furnished her table, prepared for a banquet to receive many people. The feast is ready, awaiting invited guests. It’s a Wonder for us to be invited to Feast with God’s Wisdom – a feast that brings no hurt, reproach, or regrets; but discipline, improvement, and progress.

Another wonder is Wisdom’s Plea (v.3). She sent out her maidens to announce an invitation. The location of her house at the highest point of the city suggests whom Wisdom represents. In the ancient Near East, the only building allowed to occupy the acropolis was the temple. This associates Wisdom with God. Like it’s illustrated in Jesus’ Parable of the Large Banquet (Lk.14:15-24), believers in Christ are to serve as the messengers of true wisdom, busy in the work of God, inviting people, wherever they may be found, to take in the true wisdom of God’s Word in a banquet of eternal life (Jh.17:3).

It is a Wonder of Wisdom to beckon on the simple – the inexperienced, lowly, and humble, to turn in and share a feast with her (v.4). Likewise, Jesus came to “preach the gospel to the poor”, the captives, blind, and oppressed (Lk.4:18). Paul emphasized a similar truth to the Corinthian Christians: God chooses the foolish, weak, insignificant, and despised of the world to shame the humanly wise, strong, mighty, and noble (1Cor.1:26-29). The Lord’s twelve apostles, the pioneers of Christianity, were humble working class folks, not educated elite Jewish religious leaders (Acts 4:13). Wisdom invites whoever “lacks understanding” to come take bread and wine – nourishment and refreshing sweetness (vv.4b-5).

It takes the Wonder of Wisdom to truly live: “Forsake foolishness and live” (v.6a). Although God invites us simple ones, we must leave behind our foolish ways; quit associating with those who reject the ways of wisdom; and “go in the way of understanding” (v.6b). One who possesses understanding can see the big picture on any matter, not just the isolated facts. Wisdom is especially looking for those that lack understanding or are simply confused as to the life that is before them. She calls them to be wise and accept constructive counsel, knowing that no one is too wise or too old to keep learning (vv.7-9).

Wisdom is wonderfully intertwined with Knowledge and Understanding (v.10). God desires that our lives and destinies be established on the Wonders of His Wisdom, Knowledge, and Understanding. There is no wisdom without knowledge; and no knowledge without a fear of the Lord, for He is the Creator of all things and the Author of the Word. Scriptures strongly urge us to seek and treasure accurate knowledge – information learned by personal experience, observation, or study – being far superior to gold. However, a true understanding of all facets of life involves appreciating God, His will and purposes.