Proverbs 9:13, 15-18

The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. 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.

The “woman named Folly” is juxtaposed with the woman named “Wisdom” at the beginning of chapter nine and is described as a harlot. She entices for what appears to be pleasure but in the end…only delivers pain. Wisdom prepares a banquet of healthy food in order to bless her guests while Folly tempts with secret things…stolen things. Which table will you choose?

The textbook definition of folly is: Lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight; criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct; an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking. Perhaps that is why she describes her followers as “simple” and “those who lack good judgment”. They are easily taken in by her promises and seductive ways. They are captivated by her offer of “stolen water” and “food eaten in secret” while giving no thought to the destination she has in mind: the grave.

Hopefully, you can see how these opposing forces are at work in your life. Is there some kind of “stolen water” that is drawing your attention? Are you “dining” on some secret sin? Folly is betting against your better judgment. She is mocking your profession of faith in Jesus Christ. She is assuming you are simple-minded…controlled by your fleshly appetites…and lacking Godly judgment. She offers you counterfeit pleasure at the expense of authentic joy. She prepares a table in the presence of those who would mock your Lord while God offers you a table prepared in the presence of your enemies (Ps. 23). Folly wants to lead you by the hand into the grave. Wisdom wants to lead you by the heart into the Promised Land.

Which invitation will you choose today?