The Proverbs 31 Project: Commenting July 9th on Proverbs 9:7-9

Got 31 days in the month?  

God's got 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs! 

What a coincidence!

For each date then, again this month, you will find commentary on a few verses from the corresponding chapter. There are 7 months in the year with 31 days, so I divided each chapter into 7 parts and spread them out so that each verse will be reviewed on the date related to its chapter by the same number name.  No, I am not deliberately trying to make this explanation complicated! (But, if you can explain my system any better than I have tried to do in the past three 31-day months, there is probably a proverb proclaiming your wisdom, and you will be recognized here for your high achievement!).

Below this introduction you will find the whole chapter representing today's date, with this month's verses highlighted in red, and my amateur comments for today low lighted in blue. Enjoy!

PROVERBS 9

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”


7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.

7) This sad truth is what makes honest debate and real societal progress so difficult.  There are two types of people in this world.  The wicked /mocker and the not-so-much (we are all born sinners, but some choose to practice and exercise the tendency more than others).  The trouble is that the mocker will not stand correction, and the wicked respond to rebuke with assault and battery!  The "corrector" then is faced with the challenge of deciding how to proceed without joining in the "mocker's" ways.  A fair debate requires both sides to follow the same rules of engagement, but the mocker, by definition, can freely mock such standards of conduct, and thereby shut down all hope of growth.

8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.

8) I believe here that the proverb is not really teaching that we should not rebuke a mocker; but that we should expect only vitriol in response.  On the other hand, a great comfort is given to those who must rebuke the wise, for they will only appreciate your words of warning and respond with actual love!

9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

9) This verse speaks as much about the wise only getting wiser in the same way we are taught about any other good seed a person may sow.  Just as saving money creates wealth, and laughing much creates health.  The benefits promised here are available to all.  Listening well, and having a teachable spirit have their own, built-in, rewards.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.


13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.





[Anyone willing to author an explanation of my system, let me know, and if it makes more sense than my attempts (how could it not?) I will use it in October.]


By the way...MILLERWRITES copy is COPYRIGHTED. Why cut and paste when you can simply copy the link?