Proverbs

Proverbs 9: God’s wisdom offers life

Begin in prayer

Before we hear two invitations from two houses, let us ask God to help us distinguish them. Pray that we will welcome correction and learn to know the Holy One.

Elijah came near to all the people, and said, “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people didn’t say a word.

1 Kings 18:21

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Give us understanding as we hear wisdom’s invitation. Show us the life found in Jesus, and turn us from the secrecy of sin. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Wisdom has built a house, prepared a meal and sent her maidens to invite the simple. Her guests must leave their simple ways and walk in understanding. A wise person grows wiser through correction, while a mocker answers reproof with hatred. At the center stands the fear of the LORD and knowledge of the Holy One. The foolish woman also calls from her house, promising sweetness in what is stolen and hidden. Her guest does not know that the dead are there.

As you read Proverbs 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The holy God calls the simple to His wisdom and life.

Both invitations address someone who lacks understanding. The hearer therefore needs more than an attractive welcome to judge which house to enter. Wisdom has prepared a generous meal and calls her guests to leave foolish ways behind. The other hostess promises pleasure because it is stolen and secret. The contrast reaches the heart’s response to correction. A wise person loves the one who reproves him, because knowing God makes further learning welcome. The mocker protects his pride and bears the outcome himself. Knowledge of the Holy One gives the judgment that the foolish guest lacks.

How does Proverbs 9 show us that the holy God calls the simple to His wisdom and life?

God’s wisdom calls the simple to leave foolishness.

Wisdom’s prepared table pictures a welcome with something good to give. Her guests must leave their old ways to live. The invitation requires a changed direction, rather than admiration from outside the door.

Knowing God teaches us to welcome correction.

A wise man loves the person who reproves him. Instruction increases the understanding he already has. Wisdom begins with reverence for God, so pride cannot be its teacher.

Sin hides the death in its house.

The foolish woman promises stolen water and secret food. She makes wrongdoing itself sound attractive. The guest does not know that her household belongs with the dead.

Memorise

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when someone corrects me, what do I need Jesus to change in me?

Wisdom calls, “Leave your simple ways, and live.” The rival invitation hides death behind secret pleasure. Our hearts need more than information when they love what God forbids.

Jesus entered the world to bring sinners to the holy God. He bore the sins of His people on the cross and died the death their guilt required. Then He rose from the grave. His offering is enough, and its saving worth cannot be undone.

Come to Him, leaving your sin and trusting His mercy. Forgiveness comes through the crucified and risen Savior. Hear His call with an open heart instead of defending your foolishness. Life is found in knowing Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that wisdom requires receiving God’s correction and leaving the ways that lead to death. Please do not call them saved because they belong to a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for making His life giving invitation known. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Holy God, thank You for calling people to leave foolishness and live. Please expose the secret sins we excuse. Bring our family to repentance and faith in Jesus. Help us receive reproof with humility and choose Your words above promises that hide their cost. Amen.