This chapter brings to a conclusion the first major section of the book and contrasts wisdom and folly, personified in two women, each calling out and extending an invitation. Folly is presented as a figure enticing the unwary, offering what is not hers to give, attracting with the exotic, appealing to pride by the allure of secret knowledge and inviting those with no moral compass into her house of corruption. It’s a way that seems to offer life but it leads to death.

Wisdom has built her house well: the number seven suggests perfection. She has the authority to offer what genuinely belongs to her and so, although she calls out and extends an invitation in a similar way to ‘Folly’, her invitation leads to life rather than death. She offers understanding, instruction and provision to the simple, those who are prepared to turn from their ways and live in her house. She has good things to offer and it is significant that she calls out from the highest point of the city. Not only is this ‘code’ for the ‘highest authority’, it also demonstrates that the call is for all – all those who hear her voice and respond.

The test of wisdom in this passage seems to be to do with the way in which we respond to correction or instruction. We live in the house of ‘Folly’ if our response to correction is rejection, anger, hatred, stubbornness, ignorance, or any other members of that family of words. We live in the house of folly if we have become consumed with our own importance, resistant to reproof and closed to instruction.

We live in the house of ‘Wisdom’ if we love the one who gently chides us in order to help us grow in our character; if we do not rest in the knowledge we have already attained; and, if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, acknowledging that we have not yet achieved the status of perfection!

Of course, centrepiece to the whole passage is v.10 with its definition of wisdom as ‘the fear of the Lord’. In the New Testament wisdom is personified in the person of Jesus Christ (e.g. 1 Cor 1:24). We are pointed to Him. Knowing Him and walking in His ways is the ultimate test and source of wisdom. The one who is wise builds his house upon the rock (Matt 7:24). The One who is our cornerstone. Our strength. Our foundation.

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Wisdom calls out to the foolish and the simple. God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise (1 Cor 1:27). We are the fellowship of the foolish when we choose true wisdom. Are you prepared to be a fool for Christ today?