Part IPart I

Who is Who is Lady Wisdom?Lady Wisdom?

““Where Cross the Crowded WaWhere Cross the Crowded Wayys of s of LifeLife””

Where cross the crowded ways of life,Where cross the crowded ways of life,Where sound the cries of race and clanWhere sound the cries of race and clanAbove the noise of selfish strife,Above the noise of selfish strife,We hear Thy voice, O Son of Man.We hear Thy voice, O Son of Man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,In haunts of wretchedness and need,On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,From paths where hide the lures of greed,From paths where hide the lures of greed,We catch the vision of Thy tears.We catch the vision of Thy tears.

““Where Cross the Crowded WaWhere Cross the Crowded Wayys of s of Life”Life”

From tender childhood’s helplessness,From tender childhood’s helplessness,From woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,From woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil,From famished souls, from sorrow’s From famished souls, from sorrow’s stress,stress,Thine heart has never known recoil.Thine heart has never known recoil.

The cup of water given for Thee,The cup of water given for Thee,Still holds the freshness of Thy grace;Still holds the freshness of Thy grace;Yet long these multitudes to seeYet long these multitudes to seeThe sweet compassion of Thy face.The sweet compassion of Thy face.

““Where Cross the Crowded WaWhere Cross the Crowded Wayys of s of Life”Life”

O Master from the mountainside,O Master from the mountainside,Make haste to heal these hearts of Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;pain;Among these restless throngs abide;Among these restless throngs abide;And tread the city’s streets again.And tread the city’s streets again.

’’Til sons of men shall learn Thy loveTil sons of men shall learn Thy loveAnd follow where Thy feet have trod,And follow where Thy feet have trod,’Til glorious from Thy heaven above,’Til glorious from Thy heaven above,Shall come the city of our God!Shall come the city of our God!

Wisdom in Proverbs: “GettinWisdom in Proverbs: “Gettingg it”it”

• One who is wise is one who “gets One who is wise is one who “gets it”—and gets it specifically in the it”—and gets it specifically in the deeper areas of life and reality.deeper areas of life and reality.

• Such people “get it” in ways that give Such people “get it” in ways that give them insight into what’s true and real them insight into what’s true and real and right so that they relate to reality and right so that they relate to reality in such a way as to live skillfully in in such a way as to live skillfully in their practical day-to-day lives. their practical day-to-day lives.

Wisdom in Proverbs: “GettinWisdom in Proverbs: “Gettingg it”it”

• To speak of the wisdom of God is to To speak of the wisdom of God is to speak of how God “gets it.”speak of how God “gets it.”

• For us to pursue wisdom is to seek to For us to pursue wisdom is to seek to

be people who “get it.” be people who “get it.”

• Truly to “get it” is to have Truly to “get it” is to have understanding of things from a understanding of things from a perspective given by God, an perspective given by God, an understanding that is deeply intimate understanding that is deeply intimate and transformational, coinciding with and transformational, coinciding with righteousness.righteousness.

KETHUBIM KETHUBIM ((“Writin“Writinggs”s”))• PsalmsPsalms

• JobJob

• ProverbsProverbs

• RuthRuth

• Song of SongsSong of Songs

• EcclesiastesEcclesiastes

• LamentationsLamentations

• EstherEsther

• DanielDaniel

• Ezra-NehemiahEzra-Nehemiah

• ChroniclesChronicles

FemininitFemininityy in the Kethubim in the Kethubim

• Job’s lovely daughters (Job 42Job’s lovely daughters (Job 4213-1513-15))

• Lady Wisdom (et al) throughout ProverbsLady Wisdom (et al) throughout Proverbs

• The story of RuthThe story of Ruth

• Solomon’s bride in the Song of SongsSolomon’s bride in the Song of Songs

• Jerusalem portrayed as a tragic young Jerusalem portrayed as a tragic young widow in Lamentationswidow in Lamentations

• The story of EstherThe story of Esther

• The queen’s wise advice in Daniel (5The queen’s wise advice in Daniel (510-1210-12))

• Emphasis placed on the wives and Emphasis placed on the wives and mothers of the kings of Judah throughout mothers of the kings of Judah throughout ChroniclesChronicles

The Feminine in ProverbsThe Feminine in Proverbs

• LADY WISDOM — i.e. wisdom personified LADY WISDOM — i.e. wisdom personified as a as a

woman woman

(1(120-3320-33 2 244 3 313-1813-18 4 45-95-9 4 41313 7 744 8 81-361-36 9 91-61-6))

• THE WOMAN OF FOLLY — i.e. foolishness THE WOMAN OF FOLLY — i.e. foolishness personified as a personified as a

woman woman

(2(216-1916-19 5 53-8,203-8,20 6 624-224-26 76 75-275-27 9 913-1813-18))

• Motherly instruction and leadership Motherly instruction and leadership (1(188 4 433 6 62020 10 1011 15 152020 20 202020 23 232222 23 232525 29 291515 30 3011,1711,17 31 311-9,281-9,28))

The Feminine in ProverbsThe Feminine in Proverbs

• Blessings of fidelity to and enjoyment of Blessings of fidelity to and enjoyment of one’s covenant wife (5one’s covenant wife (515-1915-19))

• Various references to good/wise women Various references to good/wise women and bad/foolish women throughout the and bad/foolish women throughout the Proverbs of Solomon (Chs. 10—29)Proverbs of Solomon (Chs. 10—29)

• The Woman of Noble Character (12The Woman of Noble Character (1244 313110-3110-31))

Who is LadWho is Ladyy Wisdom? Wisdom?

• A poetic personification of the A poetic personification of the

dynamic interplay of understanding dynamic interplay of understanding

and relationship which flows between and relationship which flows between

the Members of the Triune Godhead—the Members of the Triune Godhead—

particularly the Son and the Spirit—in particularly the Son and the Spirit—in

the context of the story of creation the context of the story of creation

and new creation.and new creation.

Part IIPart II

What does What does Lady Wisdom Lady Wisdom have to say?have to say?

LadLadyy Wisdom in Proverbs Wisdom in Proverbs

• Lady Wisdom’s 1Lady Wisdom’s 1stst Speech: Speech: A Severe Warning (1A Severe Warning (120-3320-33))

• References to Lady Wisdom (Chs.2-7)References to Lady Wisdom (Chs.2-7)– She is to be sought as treasure (2She is to be sought as treasure (244))– She brings blessing and profit (3She brings blessing and profit (313-1813-18))– She bestows honor and grace (4She bestows honor and grace (45-95-9))– She is to be guarded as one’s own life (4She is to be guarded as one’s own life (41313))– She is to be an intimate sister/friend (7She is to be an intimate sister/friend (744))

• Lady Wisdom’s 2Lady Wisdom’s 2ndnd Speech: Speech: Her Call and Her Eminence (Ch.8)Her Call and Her Eminence (Ch.8)

• Lady Wisdom’s 3Lady Wisdom’s 3rdrd Speech: Speech:Her Banquet Invitation (9Her Banquet Invitation (91-61-6))

Structure of Proverbs 9Structure of Proverbs 9

AA — — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6)The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6)

AA — — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-

18)18)

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

WorkWork

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

WorkWork

She is industrious:She is industrious:• Building her houseBuilding her house• Making Making preparationspreparations• Employing Employing assistantsassistants

She is ignorant.She is ignorant.She sits and yells.She sits and yells.She offers stolen She offers stolen goods.goods.

Possible CatePossible Categgories of the ories of the “Powers”“Powers”

• Natural structuresNatural structures– The order of the The order of the

physical/natural physical/natural universeuniverse

• Political Political structuresstructures– States States – RulersRulers– MilitaryMilitary– Markets/economyMarkets/economy– MoneyMoney– Race Race – ClassClass– Family Family

• Religious Religious structuresstructures

– Religions/worldviewsReligions/worldviews– Religious/spiritual Religious/spiritual

underpinnings of underpinnings of stable societiesstable societies

• Intellectual Intellectual structuresstructures

– ——ologies and —isms ologies and —isms – Schools/educationSchools/education

Possible CatePossible Categgories of the ories of the “Powers”“Powers”

• Cultural structuresCultural structures– Status symbologyStatus symbology– CelebrityCelebrity– Public opinionPublic opinion– Media Media

• Moral structuresMoral structures– Codes and customsCodes and customs– The socially expected/acceptableThe socially expected/acceptable

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

WorkWork

She is industrious:She is industrious:• Building her houseBuilding her house• Making Making preparationspreparations• Employing Employing assistantsassistants

She is ignorant.She is ignorant.She sits and yells.She sits and yells.She offers stolen She offers stolen goods.goods.

Calls to…Calls to…

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

WorkWork

She is industrious:She is industrious:• Building her houseBuilding her house• Making Making preparationspreparations• Employing Employing assistantsassistants

She is ignorant.She is ignorant.She sits and yells.She sits and yells.She offers stolen She offers stolen goods.goods.

Calls to…Calls to…Whoever is simple;Whoever is simple;Whoever lacks Whoever lacks sense.sense.

Whoever passes by, Whoever passes by, trying to make their trying to make their ways straight.ways straight.Whoever is simple;Whoever is simple;Whoever lacks Whoever lacks sense.sense.

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

WorkWork

She is industrious:She is industrious:• Building her houseBuilding her house• Making Making preparationspreparations• Employing Employing assistantsassistants

She is ignorant.She is ignorant.She sits and yells.She sits and yells.She offers stolen She offers stolen goods.goods.

Calls to…Calls to…Whoever is simple;Whoever is simple;Whoever lacks Whoever lacks sense.sense.

Whoever passes by, Whoever passes by, trying to make their trying to make their ways straight.ways straight.Whoever is simple;Whoever is simple;Whoever lacks Whoever lacks sense.sense.

InvitatioInvitationn

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

WorkWork

She is industrious:She is industrious:• Building her houseBuilding her house• Making Making preparationspreparations• Employing Employing assistantsassistants

She is ignorant.She is ignorant.She sits and yells.She sits and yells.She offers stolen She offers stolen goods.goods.

Calls to…Calls to…Whoever is simple;Whoever is simple;Whoever lacks Whoever lacks sense.sense.

Whoever passes by, Whoever passes by, trying to make their trying to make their ways straight.ways straight.Whoever is simple;Whoever is simple;Whoever lacks Whoever lacks sense.sense.

InvitatioInvitationn

““Turn aside here”Turn aside here”““Come eat my Come eat my bread and drink my bread and drink my wine”wine”

““Turn aside here”Turn aside here”Drink stolen water Drink stolen water and eat secret breadand eat secret bread

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

ConditioConditionn

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

ConditioConditionn

““Forsake your Forsake your folly”folly” [NONE][NONE]

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

ConditioConditionn

““Forsake your Forsake your folly”folly” [NONE][NONE]

Elements Elements of Mealof Meal

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

ConditioConditionn

““Forsake your Forsake your folly”folly” [NONE][NONE]

Elements Elements of Mealof Meal

Meat and Mixed Meat and Mixed Wine;Wine;Bread and Mixed Bread and Mixed WineWine

Water and BreadWater and Bread

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

ConditioConditionn

““Forsake your Forsake your folly”folly” [NONE][NONE]

Elements Elements of Mealof Meal

Meat and Mixed Meat and Mixed Wine;Wine;Bread and Mixed Bread and Mixed WineWine

Water and BreadWater and Bread

Results Results for for

GuestGuest

The Two Women and Their The Two Women and Their OffersOffers

LadLadyy Wisdom Wisdom Woman of Woman of FollFollyy

ConditioConditionn

““Forsake your Forsake your folly”folly” [NONE][NONE]

Elements Elements of Mealof Meal

Meat and Mixed Meat and Mixed Wine;Wine;Bread and Mixed Bread and Mixed WineWine

Water and BreadWater and Bread

Results Results for for

GuestGuest

Life and Life and UnderstandingUnderstanding Ignorance and DeathIgnorance and Death

Structure of Proverbs 9Structure of Proverbs 9

AA — — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6)The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6)

BB — — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8)Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8)

BB — — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12)Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12)

AA — — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-

18)18)

Structure of Proverbs 9Structure of Proverbs 9

AA — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6) — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6)

BB — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8) — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8)

CC — The Wise Man’s Increasing Wisdom (v.9) — The Wise Man’s Increasing Wisdom (v.9)

CC — The Wise Man’s Increased Life (v.11) — The Wise Man’s Increased Life (v.11)

BB — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12) — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12)

AA — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13- — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-

18)18)

Structure of Proverbs 9Structure of Proverbs 9

AA — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6) — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6)

BB — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8) — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8)

CC — The Wise Man’s Increasing Wisdom (v.9) — The Wise Man’s Increasing Wisdom (v.9)

DD — — The Fear of the LThe Fear of the LORDORD (v.10) (v.10)

CC — The Wise Man’s Increased Life (v.11) — The Wise Man’s Increased Life (v.11)

BB — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12) — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12)

AA — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13- — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-

18)18)