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 PROVERBS 9:1-6

 

LADY WISDOM ... HER GREAT INVITATION!

 

 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
II Timothy 2:15

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding." Proverbs 9:1-6

 

 

LESSON 1:

The Subject is Wisdom, at least for the next few days. Taken from the Book of Proverbs of course, our Text will speak to us again and again.

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city. Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding." Proverbs 9:1-6

The point that today mostly needs to be emphasized is this, Wisdom here is made to live! And she is a lady! Even the Hebrew noun is framed in the feminine gender. This is a common poetic convention simply known as "personification."

Normally inanimate objects come alive!

But I think that in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs more than "personification" is occurring. Yes, Lady Wisdom lives ... but she also is here a Symbol!

She is a Symbol of Almighty God!

And I will later make the case that she is most accurately an emblem of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

But first let's define the noun Solomon would have here written for "wisdom." Spelled "chokmoth," well sometimes "chakmoth" too, it's based on the root noun "chokmah." It basically means "prudence or understanding" in the great issues of life. It can also mean "skill" at life, especially godly behavior. Once in the King James Bible our word is translated "wits." But get this, some of the older lexicographers define the word this way: "skill at technical work," even the arts and sciences included.

The first time I can find "wisdom" in all the Bible, Exodus 28:3, it's being attributed (because given of God) to those who planned "to make Aaron's garments." Wisdom to sew! Its second mention, Exodus 31:3, men are being made wise to work in gold and silver, stone cutting, carving timber and so forth ... in the construction of the Tabernacle!

That's Wisdom.

Then there's the Wisdom Job so badly need, Job of the Book of Job. This is Wisdom that explains and equips one to live for God, even in the face of adversity.

That's the Wisdom who, in these next few days, will be inviting us to supper! We plan to go, how about you all?

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 2:

The Paragraph we're studying, Proverbs 9:1-6, begins with a building project! With a lady as its architect and carpenter. This reminds me of Another Carpenter Who lives in the pages of Scripture!

"Wisdom hath builded her house." Proverbs 9:1

The Bible is filled with building metaphors, word pictures about enlarging and establishing and completing things.

The house lady Wisdom here builds is obviously elaborate, having as we shall see tomorrow "seven pillars."

It's a place where Wisdom, God's point of view for all of life, will be served! A place where an all-you-can-eat banquet will be served.

The Hebrew verb "hath builded" is "banah," meaning "caused to continue." This is a permanent dwelling place. Wisdom is here to stay, for all eternity.

In fact the noun "house" used here is also a derivative of "banah." Wisdom is not transitive, not fleeting, not ephemeral.

This is a lovely beginning to Wisdom's "Invitation" paragraph.

Now to the New Testament for a minute.

To the Apostle Paul.

Who was also a builder.

Well, a tentmaker by trade. That's found in Acts 18:3, where our word is "skenopoios," a blend of "skene" meaning "tent" and "poieo" meaning "to make or construct."

Paul build houses for shepherds and travelers and nomads, literally. And Paul became after salvation a builder of men's souls too!

One of his, the Apostle's, favorite words is "edification." It means, or I would not be using it here today, "building a house!" In Greek it's spelled "oikodome," combining "oikos" meaning "house" and "doma" meaning "dining room or hall or bedroom." The root verb "demo" means "to build."

I found about twenty times Paul uses the "edify" word group in his writings. He is indeed, like Lady Wisdom, a builder!

Only Paul, best I can tell, uses this word family in Scripture!

Christians, we are also to join the Club. Like Lady Wisdom and like the greatest Apostle ... let's build God's Word into our lives.

Then try to help build it into the lives of those we love!

Builders ... for Jesus.

                       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 3:

The Lady is still at work!

She is preparing a House, then planning a meal. A lavish Feast dedicated to all seekers of Wisdom, God's Wisdom.

And She has entered into some pretty heavy construction work, building this cathedral of Wisdom.

Notice today her strenuous activity. "She hath hewn out her seven pillars." Proverbs 9:1, the second half of the verse.

Heavy work indeed!

Stone is involved, carving and shaping and later no doubt polishing these beautiful rocks.

The verb used to depict her activity, "hewn out," is relatively rare in the Old Testament. I can only find 25 times it occurs there. "Chatzsab" means "to dig, to cut or divide, to stonemason, to engrave," all artistic abilities.

The verb grammatically in Hebrew is a simple active voice word, with lots of action that is now complete. "Qal perfect" the Hebrew teacher would tell us.

This House of Wisdom is going to be stable, firm, built on solid rock. To use Jesus' words, "a House built upon the rock!"

Wisdom is enduring!

Not transient.

Eternal.

I really believe Proverbs Wisdom is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ described as the Prudence and Understanding and Mind of Almighty God! Jesus is God made flesh! He is God the Son!

But for a minute today I'd like us to study that verb "hewed out." Here are a few examples of the Holy Spirit's use of the word in the Bible.

First use: Deuteronomy 6:11 where it appears twice. It is associated with digging wells. Hewing out the earth, forming the pit from which water will flow. Lady Wisdom is digging into the earth, striking solid rock and continuing with her foundation! Wisdom is built on the Solid Rock, our Lord Jes7us indeed!

Second Use: Deuteronomy 8:9 where it is a mining term. Digging or hewing brass out of the hills!

Solomon employed eighty thousand hewers in the mountains around Israel, part of his many building projects! See 1st Kings 5:15 for proof.

Poetically Psalm 29:7 has the "Voice of the Lord," there a synonym for thunder (in a raging violent storm) "dividing" (our verb "hewing") the "fire," meaning the lightning itself!

In Isaiah 10:15 a person is "hewing" with an axe, Lady Wisdom with s tool like that in her lovely feminine hand!

My favorite use: Isaiah 51:1 where the Lord metaphorically says He "hewed" us old sinners out of the filth and muck of sin and set us up on Jesus the Solid Rock! "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged."

Last use: Hosea 6:5 where the Prophets of God "hewed" the wicked people of Israel and Judah, sternly rebuking them for their many sins. "Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth."

What a plethora of meaning!

And that gives us the general idea of what Lady Wisdom did, the extent of her labors, to make "God's Truth" available to you and me!

Jesus, "In Whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge." Paul in Colossians 2:3, King James Version.

By the way, Jesus was "hewed" too, on the old rugged Cross. That we might be saved by Grace, washed in His precious Blood.

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 4:

The Lady who is building a house in which to hold a banquet honoring Wisdom, the godly Proverbs chapter 9 Lady, is going to design and place "seven pillars" around her mansion.

Note the Scripture. "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Proverbs 9:1

The noun for pillars, despite the initial implication that the house's foundation is being laid, actually implies above-the-ground columns of some kind. "Ammud" in Hebrew, derived from the root verb "amad" (meaning "to stand, remain, endure"), suggests upright rock standards, posts. Huge round, towering posts, first culturally ornamental but more importantly spiritually beautiful!

Wisdom, in God's Eyes, is pretty!

Jesus is too, Song of Solomon 5:16 calling Him "altogether lovely!"

Those pillars also suggest "excess, prodigality, lavishness." More than enough! And again so it is with Jesus. His Blood is more than sufficient for all, all sinners who have ever lived or will ever live!

His sunshine reaches the just and unjust, the inhabited and uninhabited fields and mountains worldwide! All inclusive!

But see this too. There are not nine pillars, or merely three ... but seven! This is Biblically a significant number. Often it's taught as the "perfect" number, the number of "spiritual completion." A hint of how special this number is to God ... He created the world then rested in seven miraculous days!

Seven pillars or columns in Wisdom's Home ... God's Mind and Heart and Way and Plan and Knowledge ... are perfect!

God is complete in Himself!

He lacks nothing.

So we can see some of the symbolism built into Wisdom's lavish house! All of which we believe points to God's only-begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

                         --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 5:

The extended Word Picture we are studying these days, a verse by verse journey through Proverbs 9:1-6, has a Lady, a godly Lady, preparing a feast. That is, after she built a lavish mansion in which to serve that feast!

We believe this is a depiction of God, likely God the Son our Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Wisdom Itself, personified.

Wisdom come to earth!

Wisdom virgin born!

Wisdom as Creator!

Wisdom as Sustainer!

Wisdom as Teacher!

Wisdom as Counselor!

Wisdom as Redeemer!

But today she just begins her meal. Her buffet of instruction on godly living. Godly thinking. A godly world-view.

Where does she start?

"She hath killed her beasts." Proverbs 9:2

The verb "tabach" translates the words "hath killed." It means "to slaughter, butcher, to end life ruthlessly!"

No mercy killing here. Animal rights groups would rise up in protest! The oxen she's going to bake or broil or fry ... to the last one, was killed without thought of kindness.

Of course that was a trait of those long-ago times.

But this action implies a lot more than some ancient cultural weakness.

The slain animal here, bled to death as the Jews would have been required to do, is a Symbol of the major course in God's Meal of Wisdom!

It's a Type or Picture of our Lord, of Jesus.

Jesus Who was "slaughtered" on the Cross that we might be saved and enjoy the Wisdom of God!

It's Paul the Apostle who in 1st Corinthians 1:23-24 says that the fountain of all Wisdom flows from Calvary! "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 

The slain Saviour ... Wisdom's Meal!

In Psalm 22:26, that miraculous Text about Jesus' Death on Golgotha, as soon as our Lord died, He began to talk about a meal! About food! "The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever."

That's why, the reason "Wisdom hath killed her beasts."

The word "beast" is "tebach," closely related obviously to the verb "hath killed," which is "tabach."

The word means an "animal grown to be slaughtered." That's Jesus, born to die! He came to give His Life a ransom for you and me!

All this in a short line about an ancient Lady preparing a lavish meal!

Jesus truly permeates this paragraph of Scripture, as He does all God's precious Word.

                       --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 6:

The Lady we've named Wisdom, based on her Proverbs chapters eight and nine context, is preparing a meal. A Meal that somehow is centered around the Theme of Wisdom, the very Wisdom of God.

Yesterday we saw her killing the animals that were to be the core of the menu. We studied how they picture our Lord Jesus and His Death on the Cross.

Here are Solomon's exact words about the Woman: "She hath killed her beasts." Again, Proverbs 9:2

Our question today, how many beasts?

We are not told.

But still Jesus is in view.

Matthew presents Jesus as LION of the tribe of Judah, to the Jews primarily.

Mark pictures our Lord as a lowly CALF or OX, serving others all His life.

Luke has Him as SON OF MAN, perfect specimen of God's Creation.

And John shows us Jesus as the lofty flying EAGLE, soaring in the heavens.

These animals are seen specifically in Revelation 4:6-8. And that is based on Ezekiel 1:10, the Prophet's vision of God: "As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle."

Yes, "Wisdom hath killed her beasts."

But back to my question, how many beasts were prepared?

Lots of them I would assume.

This is a royal banquet ... with an unlimited number of folks invited.

For example, here's the daily menu for Solomon's table. The average grocery list for one single meal! "And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl." 1st Kings 4:22-23

If Solomon ate like that, presented his guests at court such abundant nourishment ... unlimited food for whosoever would come ... think what Lady Wisdom would do!

"She hath killed her beasts."

And waht then might God the Father do at Calvary?

Has He prepared the food of salvation for only a few?

For a predetermined handful?

No!

Like Lady Wisdom and like Solomon the King ... Calvary invites "whosoever will!"

There's enough for everyone!

Come and get it!

The Invitation has been given!

"The Spirit and the Bride still say come!"

Yes, we're talking about an unlimited atonement!

Praise the Lord!

Jesus said it, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37

Yes, His Blood, His Death is lavishly prodigal. "He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." 1st John 2:2

Jesus one more time, in the spirit of Wisdom's Feast here. "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." John 6:56

What a meal!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 7:

The meal is nearing completion. Time to prepare something to drink! A kind Lady is preparing a banquet, inviting people everywhere to come partake of God's Wisdom!

So far we have discovered that each element, every course, symbolizes some aspect of God's Character.

A meal pointing to God, or Jesus?

Yes!

The Lord's Supper or what we often call Communion does that to this very day! Month after month at Church.

Anyway, our Text says of this great Hostess: "She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine." Proverbs 9:2

The noun for "wine" chosen by the Holy Spirit here is spelled "yayin." It means just what it says, "wine," and is so translated 138 times in our King James Bibles. The other two times it appears in the KJV it is translated "banqueting house" and "winebibbers." See Song of Solomon 2:4 and Proverbs 23:20. It's also true that "yayin" is derived from a verb root that means "to effervesce," that is "to bubble" like a carbonated cola does when opened.

The verb "hath mingled" is "masak" and indicates "pouring or mixing" things, blending them. One lexicon says of this verb, "mingle," to make a "choice drink" by mixing with "spices."

Not just water here, but wine. And this wine, as it does elsewhere in Scripture, symbolizes something. It represents "joy" in one's life!

This Meal of Wisdom that's being prepared is both physically and spiritually nourishing ... but also saturated with "gladness" and "delight" and "praise."

When Jesus worked His mighty miracle in Cana of Galilee that day, turning plain water into wine, we're being told that joy returned to a disappointing wedding feast!

Therefore, where Wisdom is ... joy will be as well!

Similarly where Jesus is ... joy is to be found!

And First John 1:4 hints that the Word of God, the ingested Bible, also yields joy to us, "full" joy!

And the joy of living God's Way and thinking God's Truths and obeying God's Commands ... that is possessing true Wisdom ... is so thrilling that Paul characterizes it as "joy unspeakable!"

I'm so glad that God's Invitation to Wisdom not only feeds me meat ... but quenches my thirst in a number of ways ... including the spirit of joy!

Praise His Name!

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 8:

The house is built. The meal is cooked. The drinks are ready. And now she is setting her table.

Wisdom is the meal! Advice to the spiritually simple-minded, counsel and instruction on how to properly live for God.

Yes, that's Bible Wisdom.

And Jesus is, I think, Wisdom personified.

But back to our chapter, Proverbs 9. "She hath also furnished her table." And what a table it's going to be.

But I've noticed that the verb "hath furnished," in Hebrew "arak," means "to array, to order, to prepare." This surely is what we in the South call, as I said earlier, "setting" the table. Putting the plates and silverware and napkins in place. With food and drink to come later.

The "qal stem perfect" traits of the verb in Hebrew grammar tell us that this table, let's write it as Table, is set or furnished but once! The action being depicted here is "complete."

This Table, an eternal Meal of Wisdom, is a once and for all invitation!

"She hath also furnished her table."

Then, having thought this far into today's Lesson, I noticed an interesting set of facts. Biblical data concerning our verb "arak," at least as it appears in the King James Bible.

When we located the first use of our word in the Old Testament, Genesis 14:8, it's used in a military context! A war is to be fought! A battle engaged! "Joining battle" is the actual rendering.

And then the last use of "arak" in Scripture, Joel 2:5, reveals the same sort of context. "Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array."

Set in battle "array."

Early and late in the Bible, the Jewish Scriptures, "arak" involves direct confrontation!

But in our verse, Proverbs 9:2, it simply means "furnishing" a table!

But does this specific verb not at least intimate that this meal is going to be served in a hostile environment? On a battle field?

Reminds one of Psalm 23:5. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." With enemies around ... a furnished table!

This godly Book of Proverbs, its Lady's diligently prepared Meal of Wisdom, with all the right trimmings, even served in a newly constructed mansion ... is located in a strange land.

A war zone!

Good versus Evil!

Right confronting Wrong!

God as opposed to the Devil!

Or Wisdom against Simplicity, spiritual gullibility!

With the forces of iniquity all around, I need this Food, this Wisdom of God ... I must sit at this beautifully furnished table.

It's the only way I can overcome the enemy my soul faces.

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 9:

The meal, which is just Wisdom pictured as the main course at a lavish banquet, is ready.

Now the guests must be invited.

So Lady Wisdom, the real Heroine of Proverbs 9, issues the invitations. Here are the words employed by the King James Bible, beautifully inspired of God: "She hath sent forth her maidens ... saying Come eat of my bread and drink of my wine." Proverbs 9:3

Part of today's Lesson is hard to understand. Maybe it's due to the poetic nature of our Text, really of all the Book of Proverbs. But the ones giving the invitation to earth's eager learners, "Come and enjoy Wisdom's Banquet," are women!

The noun "naarah" is feminine in gender. A "young lady" is meant. Here no doubt virtuous young women are intended, but the word can be used with a wide latitude of application.

These servants to Wisdom, beautiful as they no doubt are, picture the witnesses and missionaries and preachers and evangelists and soul winners who yet go forth today ... inviting lost souls to Jesus!

No wonder then Isaiah said it, with Paul following. "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Isaiah 52:7

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15

Yes, God calls men to preach, but their Message is beautiful.

And so are their feet.

And their ways, their attitudes, should be too.

Let's thank God for every witness across the whole world today, inviting men and women to the Saviour!

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 10:

The Invitation is being extended, the greatest appeal ever offered to men and women!

The Very Wisdom of God, including His Thoughts and Ways and Character and Desires, all combined in one great Word ... being made available to us human beings.

And though maidens, all emissaries of Lady Wisdom in our parable here, are commissioned to carry the good news ... it is Wisdom Herself Who speaks today.

And notice where she launches her invitation! "She crieth upon the high places of the city." Proverbs 9:3

This is after the sending forth of all the maidens, yesterday's lesson. "She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city."

Point I'm making is this, the Message Itself is echoed by Wisdom, not some human mouthpiece.

In a real sense God Alone summons us to His Courts of Salvation and Halls of Praise and Classrooms of Learning!

"Crieth" in Hebrew is the verb "qara," having the idea of "loudness" in its definition. In our King James Bible the word is translated "preach, proclaim, read, call, bid," and the like.

"Come unto Me," Jesus once pled. He that Day was literally fulfilling the Role of God's Wisdom personified!

"She crieth upon the high places of the city." Proverbs 9:3

The noun "high places" is "marom," meaning "elevated." Why is she standing  up there? At the highest place in town?

So the most people can hear her, of course!

This message is for everyone!

Plus, the heathen and the false religions worshipped their idols up there! Wisdom is thus raiding their fortresses and proclaiming a better Way, victory over sin and death ... because of the Wisdom of God, which according to Paul in First Corinthians 1 is the Cross of Calvary!

Yes, let's get this equation in our minds.

Wisdom of God = Cross where Jesus died!

What a blessing to be able to proclaim a "whosoever will" Gospel!

May it be preached today ... from the high places and low places and every other place on earth!

In Jesus' Name.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 11:

The invitees are initially labeled by one word. Listen to Wisdom name those she's asking to attend her feast.

"Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither." Proverbs 9:4

The "simple," who are they?

The Hebrew word employed here, "pethiy," has nothing to do with one's intelligence. Nor the level of one's education.

Neither does immaturity, silliness or childishness seem to enter into the picture. The word points another way.

"Pethiy" suggests one who is "naive." A person "too easily influenced!" This may be an abrasive definition, but really the grammatical emphasis here is "too open-minded!"

In fact, it's root verb is "pathah," meaning "to be spacious, wide," in our context obviously to an extreme.

I find our word nineteen times in the Bible, the Old Testament. It's first use is fundamental. The Word of God "makes wise the simple!"

It will teach me and warn me about the proper and improper ways of life, according to God's Estimation!

Here's a Bible Verse that illustrates the definition we've just allotted to the word "simple." Proverbs 14:15 says it. "The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going."

Wise people, people who are God-inhabited, saved by Grace and filled with the Holy Spirit, need to be "discerning!"

And will be.

That's a by-product of Wisdom!

They will not be ultra gullible.

They will not fall for everything.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 12:

Wisdom cries, after preparing a great Banquet with all the trimmings ... "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither." Proverbs 9:4

Today we plan to emphasize the response Wisdom expects, hopes to receive from her "open door" policy. "Let him turn in hither."

The verb "turn in" which is fully translated "let (him) turn in" hither, is in Hebrew spelled "sur." It's a qal imperfect verb, grammatically speaking. That means, among other things, that it's set here in the "active" voice. The decision to come or not to come rests in the hands of the hearer.

This is not a forced invitation!

Whosoever will, may come!

Then "sur" is literally defined as "to go" in any certain direction. Maybe even containing this idea, "to change directions." Really, "to depart from one thing and embrace its opposite."

Again, a decision must be made.

The King James Version Translators wisely allowed the idea "let" him turn in hither ... due to the syntactical constraints of the word the Holy Spirit chose.

This Christmas Season each of us should be grateful to the Lord for the free will He has given us. No doubt modeled on the free will He possesses, though to a much limited degree.

"Supper is ready," yells Lady Wisdom.

"Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither."

Thank You, Lord.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 13:

It's called "parallelism" and the Old Testament Books of Poetry abound in it. It's the very beauty of ancient rhyme.

And our Text presents a classic example. "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." Proverbs 9:4-5

The matching ideas: First, "Whoso is simple." Those words we're studied in an earlier lesson.

Second, and equal in meaning and meter, "Him that wanteth understanding."

Then immediately comes a second set of thoughts, responses: First to the simple ... "Turn in hither."

Secondly, to the one who lacks understanding ... "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine which I have mingled."

Again, that's classic parallelism!

Now for a discussion of our new clause today. "For him that wanteth understanding." These words must have nexus with "Whoso is simple" if my poetic theory is correct. And they do have harmony of meaning!

The verb "wanteth" is "chaser" and means "to lack" in an area. "To be destitute, to fail, to be in need." Of course the majority of the world lacks many spiritual traits and could care less! One must "sense" this deficiency! And Wisdom is trying to introduce that feeling, that sensitivity!

The noun "understanding" translates, surprisingly, "leb." This is a little Hebrew word that is normally, 508 times in fact, rendered as "heart." It really means "the innermost" part of a person. Where he or she thinks and feels and believes and responds!

In other words, God's Wisdom imparts to us "God's Very View of life!" God's Thoughts and Feelings and an appropriate sense of God's Very Essence, His Character.

Based on these definitions, who on earth can claim all the "understanding" we need? We all "lack" in this area of spirituality!

And so we all stand in need of Wisdom!

Hence, this chapter in God's Word!

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding." Proverbs 9:1-6

Wow!

Lord, give us such Wisdom! Give us Thyself!

                     --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jesus' very Prayer in John 17:3. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Now, that's Wisdom!

 

 

LESSON 14:

The Invitation we notice today, Christmas Day of 2011, is worthy of a New Testament address! Yet it's buried in the heart of the Book of Proverbs, written a millennium before the Virgin Birth two thousand years ago.

"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." Literally King Solomon quoting Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 9:5.

These words virtually flow from the Lips of Almighty God, our loving Heavenly Father.

Jesus too lets His sinless Tongue appropriate them. In fact here's proof from John 6:53. "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him."

What Beauty!

What Grace!

But back to today's clause, "Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled."

The opening verb "come," well "drink" too for that mater, both verbs are expressed as "imperatives."

Commands!

There is only one way to get Wisdom from God.

We must "come" to him!

We must "eat and drink" of His Offering!

Wow, that's three verbs that are commands!

Come ... eat ... drink!

All this can mean ... "internalize" the Wisdom of God!

Trust Jesus as Saviour!

Imbibe Him!

Lean on Him!

Believe Him!

Love Him!

In other words ...

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." From Jesus in John 5:24.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Paul word for word in Romans 10:9-13.

Everyone today, let's come to this great Table Wisdom has spread.

"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled."

The results of this Food are eternal!

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 15:

The noun Wisdom uses for her Bread, the solid food she's serving at her great Banquet, is "lechem" in Hebrew. It means "grain, provision, victuals." But get this thought. It is derived from a near-kin verb, "lacham," that means "to fight, to do battle, to make war!"

The Bread this lady is presenting us, free of charge, costs God a lot! A war had to be fought to give us this Food!

And that Bread, ultimately and symbolically, is Jesus' Very Flesh! His broken Body!

And was It, rather was He, made available to us for our eternal Salvation without cost?

No, He paid Plenty! He died, shedding His Blood, to redeem us from sin! He warred against the Devil and Sin and Hell and the Grave and Death ... and defeated them all!

That Bread is victory Bread!

No wonder "lechem" is the root to our word "Bethlehem," which is "House of Bread" and the place where Jesus was born!

Man-of-War Jesus!

"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." Proverbs 9:5 again.

And the word "wine," the fruit of the grape, obviously suggests "crushing and squeezing and pulverizing" as well! All participles emblematic of Jesus' Ordeal both in His Life and Death, a vicarious Substitute for lost sinners!

Today let's thank our Lord and worship Him and praise Him and adore Him ... because He is that Bread and Wine that provides us God's Wisdom! God's Eternal Life! God's Very Being residing deep within our bodies and souls!

Sure am glad I hear and accepted and responded to that great invitation! "Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled."

Aren't you?

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 16:

Are you tired of these "Wisdom" Lessons yet? Only a couple more remain, as things stand now. Proverbs 9:1-6 is quite an interesting Text!

I may be going a bit too far in applying this verb so loosely. Sister Wisdom, Who has prepared a lavish Feast, is planning to serve meats and vegetables and no telling what else. Along with the solid food items, all emblematic of the good Lady's Namesake, the very Wisdom of God, she is serving wine. But here it's call "mingled" wine.

"Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled." Proverbs 9:5

This little word for "mingled," in Hebrew "masak," means "mixed." It also can carry the idea of anything that is "poured."

As we saw earlier in our study, Wisdom's "wine" typifies "joy and excitement and exuberance."

The joy of the Lord, Nehemiah 8:10 calls it!

But this joy, this wine of Wisdom, is described in an unusual way. To be in the Bible anyway.

It is "mingled" wine. "Mingled" by Wisdom Herself! Mingled by the Holy Spirit of God.

Likely this Wine of Wisdom is combined with spices and maybe even certain fragrances!

And so is it in the Christian life yet today.

Wisdom comes "mingled."

Joy does too!

The Christian life is not monolithic, static, and certainly not dormant.

God "mixes" various experiences, day after day events, to produce "joy and wisdom" and the manifold "fruit" of the Spirit in our lives.

That's part of what Romans 8:28 means. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

"All things," working together! That is, "all things" ... mingled!

The joyful and the sorrowful ... blended to grow Wisdom, God's Wisdom, in our lives for Jesus!

The bitter and the sweet, mixed in proportion to our needs, by the Hand of an All-Wise and Almighty God!

Wow!

"Drink of the wine which I have mingled."

God, watching over us every hour of every day!

What a blessed state of affairs, in the Hands of Jesus.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 17:

All these positive traits about Wisdom!

Her glories, blessings and attributes.

Her many positive side-effects, by-products.

Her open invitation to all! That's right, the come-one-come-all invitation she extends.

But today, in the very last verse of our Text, we find a negative note.

There is something we must leave behind, forsake, maybe even abhor ... if we are to ever enjoy God's Wisdom as a permanent Resident in our hearts.

Here's Proverbs 9:6. "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."

The verb "forsake" is critical here. It's spelled "azab" in Hebrew and means "to refuse" something. Even "to leave" it behind!

To inject Wisdom into one's life, he or she must thrust some things or some people (the wrong kind) out of that life!

"Forsake the foolish and live."

Remember that the noun "foolish" translates as the "naive," the "too easily led," the "believe-everything he hears" type! Folks who are much too gullible, especially in spiritual areas of life.

Forsake foolishness and its adherents ... and gain Wisdom as a Friend!

As a "sister" or "kinswoman" Proverbs 7:4 declares.

As a "girlfriend" the Hebrew etymology suggests!

And what's the result of such a friendship, such a companionship, with true godly Wisdom?

"Forsake the foolish and live."

Life!

Real life!

"Life on the highest level, the highest plane," someone said.

The verb "live" is "chayah" in the language Solomon used. To be "revived," to stay "alert!"

To be "quickened!"

Even "to recover" eight times in the King James Bible.

Real life ... if we turn from the lies of the world!

Now tomorrow, the Lord willing, the last clause of our six-verse Text, Proverbs 9:1-6. "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."

Amen.

                        --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

LESSON 18, CONCLUSION:

Wisdom, but not as a temporary experience.

Proverbs 9:1-6 literally presents a new lifestyle!

Living in harmony with the Ways of God!

Here's the last verse of our Text again, this time noticing the final clause. "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding."

Once I've attended Wisdom's Banquet. Once I've tasted and swallowed her Wine. Once I've forsaken the foolish. Once I've trusted God and His inspired Word with all  my heart.

Then ... I can "go" in the way of understanding.

This little verb is spelled "ashar," an unusual word for this occasion. It means "blessed or happy" in its fundamental sense! But a few times in the Bible it is rendered as follows: "to lead, to guide" and "to relieve!"

Twice in the King James Version however it is just "go."

The Wisdom Way is a Happy Way then!

It, "ashar," is here set as a qal stem verb in the imperative mood. It's a command from God then, a necessity for knowing His Wisdom perpetually. And it is an on-going activity as well. Live in God's Wisdom from now to eternity!

"Go" ... in His Ways!

The noun "understanding" is informative too. It's "biynah," a word basically meaning "discernment," the ability to see life and its various situations "in diverse levels" of meaning.

Seeing like God sees, at least as far as is revealed in His Word!

Proverbs 9:1-6 is a life-changing invitation!

Let's all accept it.

"Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars. She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding." Proverbs 9:1-6

Yes, Lord.

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Thank God for His wonderful Gift of Wisdom!

 

 

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