“Wisdom has built her house; she has carved its seven columns. She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways behind, and begin to live; learn to use good judgment.” Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.”
Proverbs 9:1-18 NLT
The difficulty with Wisdom and Folly is that both appear to be saying the same thing. Also though it is clear from the results of each which one is best, it can be hard to discern on statements alone. This is why it is necessary to think of both as personified. Wisdom and Folly are more than cold hard fact, they are informed worldview that has character and intent. Whereas wisdom seeks what is most productive for the overall narrative experience of all things, Folly eschews this in favor of the myopic self absorbed approach. Whereas Wisdom defines what is good based on God’s character and revelation, Folly defines its morality upon deviation from that. Folly is derivative in this way. It serves as a foil to whatever Wisdom does under Gods banner and hopes to confuse everyone. This truth runs from the cradle to the grace as the ultimate result of her deviation is from life itself. Notice Solomon’s chilling warning that the “dead are there.” Ultimately, neither Wisdom nor Folly are created by our choices, but rather our choices affirm them, their message, their paths, and our ultimate ends. But to make that choice, we must first acknowledge the ability to heed the call of either as we face each choice.
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