There are some scriptures that are just fascinating to me and chapter 9 of Proverbs included in our reading this week fit the bill! My curiosity at the opening of the chapter led me to do a little research. Honestly, it was the 7 pillars that hooked me, but what I learned was even more beneficial. How fun it is to learn and grow!!
Let’s start with the word “chiasm”.”
Chiasm
No, you won’t find that word in the text, rather it is the name for the style of writing that was used. Remember, the book of Proverbs is a poetry book. Even though it may not come across as the “roses are red…” kind of rhyming poem that you are accustomed to it is written in a specific style to emphasize a point.
A chiasm is written with the ending opposing the beginning. Sometimes it might be something like “roses are red, red are the roses” which just reverses the same thought. Or it could be something like “roses are red, blue they are not”. You get the idea, I hope.
Back to the text.
Proverbs 9
This is exactly the format of chapter 9. Wisdom is like a really fabulous, put-together, smart, organized, gracious, warm and welcoming woman. I love her! She built a house (or had a house built) that was suited for entertaining. She whipped together something delicious and invited everyone she could to join her. (Proverbs 9:1-6)
I love hosting. I love planning. I love inviting. Even though it is hard work I even loved the process of building. (The header photo is our house in 2020 as it was being built.) I love cooking. I may love setting a table even more. So, now you might be able to see why it was that this chapter captured me.
However, secondly I also really appreciated the concise package in which it was written. A powerful message and imagery given in just 18 verses.
This leads me back to the chiasm style.
The key
Sandwiched between the positive (vv. 1-6) and negative invitations (vv. 13-18) is a stand-alone insert. In this style of writing, these pieces are placed in the middle for special emphasis. They don’t follow the theme, as you will read, but get right to the point.
In verses 7 – 12, you are given a warning. Things are not going to go well if you try to correct someone who isn’t interested in maturity. However, if you correct someone who is, they will flourish. The shining jewel tucked in the middle of the section is our key verse,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10.
Finally
Moving to the final section, we see the same message from the beginning but told in reverse. If blessings abound when wisdom is sought and followed then it follows that curses abound when wisdom and discipline are disregarded or discarded. My summary is quite mild compared to what the text actually says. (Proverbs 9:13-18) “Little do ‘they’ (the guests of Folly) know that the dead are there, that Folly’s guests are in the depths of the grave. Woah.
Now you see the full picture. Sit at wisdom’s table and live. Sit at folly’s table and die. It doesn’t get any clearer than that. And the “how to” is given right in the middle.
challenge
I was drawn in by the invitation of Lady Wisdom. I pray that you are as well.
All of me resonates with the message this chapter offers and wants to not only pursue wisdom but to share wisdom. Body, soul, and spirit. The sustainability of discipline appeals to my head. God’s love warms, encourages, and consoles my heart when I sit at His table. The peace that overrides doubt and uncertainty fills my spirit. It is a complete package.
How do you get there? Time! Spend time reading. Spend time pondering. Spend time investigating. Spend time talking about this with others. God will change you and you will know what I mean when I say that it is good to be at the table of Lady Wisdom because that is where God is and that is where you are meant to be.
