The Ministry of Wisdom

Proverbs 9:1-18

INTRODUCTION: This chapter, like many other passages in the Book of Proverbs, employs the use of comparison and contrast in order to drive home a great truth. In doing so, the Lord made a great distinction between that which was done through foolishness and that which was wrought by wisdom.

I. FOUNDATIONAL DETAILS

A. The Tale of Two Women

1. Wisdom (Proverbs 9:1)
2. A foolish woman (Proverbs 9:13)

B. The Tale of Two Houses

1. Wisdom’s house (Proverbs 9:1)
2. The foolish woman’s house (Proverbs 9:14)

II. THE WORK OF THE FOOLISH WOMAN (Proverbs 9:13-18)

A. Her Character (Proverbs 9:13)

1. She is clamorous; making a loud call.
2. She is simple.
3. She knoweth nothing.

B. Her Position (Proverbs 9:14)

1. She sitteth at the door of her house.
2. She sitteth in the high places of the city.

C. Her Message (Proverbs 9:15-18)

1. The audience of the message (Proverbs 9:15-16)
a. Passengers right on their ways (Proverbs 9:15)
b. Whoso is simple and him that wanteth understanding (Proverbs 9:16)
2. The content of the message (Proverbs 9:17)
a. Stolen waters are sweet.
b. Bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
3. The deception of the message (Proverbs 9:18)
a. The dead are there.
b. Her guests are in the depths of hell.

III. THE WORK OF WISDOM (Proverbs 9:1-12)

A. Her Preparations (Proverbs 9:1-2)

1. She built her house (Proverbs 9:1).
2. She hewed out her seven pillars (Proverbs 9:1).
3. She killed her beasts (Proverbs 9:2).
4. She mingled her wine (Proverbs 9:2).
5. She furnished her table (Proverbs 9:2).

B. Her Position (Proverbs 9:3) – “the highest places of the city”

C. Her Message (Proverbs 9:4-12)

1. The audience of the message (Proverbs 9:4)
a. Whoso is simple
b. Him that wanteth understanding
2. The content of the message (Proverbs 9:5-12)
a. Come and dine (Proverbs 9:5)
b. Forsake the foolish (Proverbs 9:6)
c. The response of various men (Proverbs 9:7-9)
d. The benefits of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10-12)

IV. THE LESSON FOR A MINISTRY

A. Its Preparations (Proverbs 9:1-2)

1. Lay the foundations (Proverbs 9:1)
a. Biblical preaching
b. Biblical practice
c. Biblical purity
d. Biblical praise
e. Etc.
2. Prepare provisions for those who enter (Proverbs 9:2)

B. Its Position (Proverbs 9:3) – “the highest places of the city”

C. Its Message

1. Come and dine (Proverbs 9:5)
2. Forsake the foolish (Proverbs 9:6)
3. The benefits of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10-12)

CONCLUSION: We need to listen to the voice of wisdom. Folly may be louder in its boast, but it is shallow in its provisions.