Wisdom and Folly – Week 3

As we pore over the Book of Proverbs this year, you will notice it is patriarchal, recording a father’s advice to his son, or more specifically, a middle-aged Solomon desperately trying to prevent his son from committing the same errors as he did. Throughout the book, he presents his son and his readers with a choice between Wisdom and Folly — both symbolically portrayed as women. 

In chapters 8 and 9 Wisdom is described as a wonderful woman, one Solomon advises his son to court, love, and make a beloved member of his family. In chapter 31, a mother advises her son on what to look for in a good woman, highlighting things like being a good wife, mother, neighbour, trader, or businesswoman.

The exact same pattern is used with Folly. In chapter 9 we read how she is seducing men with her smooth talk, enticing them with tempting offers. And while they may sound charming, the warning rings chillingly clear – all her guests will end up dead! In chapter 6, Folly is depicted as a prostitute whose dangerous promises will trap her victim and leave him helpless. 

It is David Pawson who points out that the use of women as symbols is not unique to Proverbs. In the Book of Revelations, there are also two women – a filthy prostitute and a pure bride. The prostitute is called Babylon and the bride is called Jerusalem. Thus, it is a theme that runs throughout the whole Bible. As the Bible is a collection of books that often presents us with choices: life or death, light or darkness, heaven or hell, it is my prayer that this year, we will choose wisely and be intentional as we learn to daily practice God’s presence in every area of our lives.