Proverbs 9:13-18
13 The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.
Admittedly, in our day and time this sounds like a sexist statement. To appear to characterize a woman as the embodiment of folly and clamor seems to be a bit chauvinistic, but remember that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 “concubines” – 1000 women in total and he is providing his personal observations, not about all women per se, but about the folly of foolishness that he experienced in some of his dealings with them. Although this is the case his wisdom is for women and men alike. Being loud and quick to speak does not reveal what you know, but actually produces the exact opposite – what you don’t know.
14 She sits in her doorway the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business.
Folly calls out to us all to detour us and distract us from our destiny. Notice that it “calls out” to us. The question is what does it call out to? According to James 1:14 temptation comes from our own desires and folly attempts to target the fulfillment of any desire that is not in alignment with God’s will or timing. The best thing to do in this situation is keep minding your own business.
16 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says 17 “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!”
Growing up I used to hear this phrase, “Forbidden fruit always tastes better.” Then my grandmother told me it also causes a stomachache. Folly and foolishness look like acceptable paths in life to those who do not possess the ability to make good decisions. Anything you have to obtain in secret (do in the dark) or manipulate to procure will always end turning sour. It’s the simple route for the simple.
18 But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.
The bible says that sin has pleasure for a season. No one would ever get caught up in anything if it wasn’t fun or enjoyable. But the fun and the joy don’t last. Not only does it not last it deceives. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief (the devil) comes only to kill, steal, and destroy.” The catch is that he never looks like a killer when he comes. He never looks like a thief when he comes and he certainly doesn’t look like a destroyer. He appears in a package that appeals to your desire, but it’s nothing but good ole okie-doke. Just mind your business.
Photography: @sheasalz