“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9:4-6 NIV)
“Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!” (Proverbs 9:16-17 NIV)
Solomon ends the story of two women with a direct comparison. The two women are Wisdom and Folly. After preparing their houses they make their invitation. I may be overreaching, but I noticed something in reading this passage this morning that I think is important.
Wisdom is inviting all comers to a party. There are definite parallels to the banquet parables in Matthew 22 and Luke 14. This is a community event. There will be food and wine provided in abundance and the enjoyment will come from sharing it with others. Wisdom invites us into community and the joy of relationship.
Folly is looking for victims. Her sales pitch promotes privacy and secrecy. Most of us can look into our history and find situations where we have experienced the momentary delight of “getting away” with something. Unfortunately, we can also remember that eventually there were consequences. We have secrets and those secrets prevent us from experiencing intimate community with others. We think that if we accepted the invitation to God’s banquet we would feel out of place because of the secrets we carry.
That is the incredible thing about God’s banquet. He knows the secrets and He still invites us. We share our secrets, and no one is impressed because God’s grace has removed their separating power. Instead, we all celebrate that we have been forgiven and can enjoy the banquet together.
For my grandchildren:
Do not accept invitations to do things you are told you must keep secret.
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