Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear people.

Another beautiful day out this window. I just returned from a dental appointment—teeth cleaning. I was able to return home and say, “Look mom!—no cavities!” But mom isn’t here anymore. Becki wasn’t even here. She’s off on another appointment with Thano. But I said it anyway.

Oh yes—I’ve got to get the garbage bin out to the road for pick up. It didn’t make it last week—so it’s kind of full.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This Miss Wisdom is presented several times in these early chapters of Proverbs. She is an extremely attractive and beautiful lady to those with a HEART AFTER GOD. But to those who lack that quality of heart, she is very plain, unattractive, even ugly. Nevertheless, for those who will respond to her call, even those who are simple-minded and ignorant, and will come closer to her, tasting her food, drinking her wine, enjoying her company, they soon discover a transformation. “Wow! My first impression was that she was dull and unattractive. But now that I’ve come to know her better, up close and personal, she is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. In fact, I don’t want to live without her company.” That sounds like the making of a great romance—the basis of a lasting relationship.

A few verses down we are reminded, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (v. 10). Hmm. If loving God passionately is our highest requirement, and if we can bring ourselves to fear the option of not doing so, we are well on our way toward enjoying this wonderful lasting relationship—a perpetual personal romance. How good is that?!

But wait! We need to be aware that Miss Wisdom is not the only lady occupying “the highest point of the city.” Right up there along side her, for all to see and hear, is “The woman Folly.” Be careful of that deceptive chick. Her invitation and promises are almost identical to that of wisdom. Wow! What a gorgeous-appearing babe she is!—with tantalizing winks and wiggles that can cause a normal guy’s liver to quiver. “The woman Folly is loud; she is undisciplined and without knowledge. She sits at the door of her house, on a seat at the highest point of the city, calling out to those who pass by, who go straight on their way. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave” (Proverbs 9:13-18).

It should be no surprise that Woman Folly would present herself as being so attractive. Indeed she is an enticing “soul mate” for those governed by the NATURAL SIN NATURE—offering a relationship of heart-level affinity and compatibility. After all, even Satan can pose as “an angel of light.” That was Paul’s warning to the Corinthians: “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Making the right choice is the theme of David’s expressions in Psalm 40. “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust” (v. 4)—which I interpret as the same as choosing a lasting relationship with Miss Wisdom. “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, ‘The LORD be exalted’” (v. 16).