I am currently writing and teaching a Bible study on wisdom from the book of Proverbs. I want to share here a tidbit from the lesson I taught just last night to the ladies attending the class.
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors: Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Proverbs 8:1-5
There is an interesting word in this passage. Notice that word 'simple'? It means more than what we use it for. We think of simple as something easy or uncomplicated. This word simple means "silly, seducible". There is another passage in the Bible where this word is used. Over in 2 Timothy 3:1-7:
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The most immediate thing I notice is the judgment on our day. We need only read the words once through to recognize that we are indeed living in the 'last days' and these indeed are 'perilous times'. I once was skeptical of the phrase stating that they would be creeping into houses, but no longer. With our television options, internet speed and movies streaming onto our phones, laptops not to mention our flatscreen t.v.'s, I no longer question any creeping. The media and entertainment industry has us hooked. Wirelessly.
Consider further what Satan plans to do with this: lead us into captivity. What? No. Yes. (I can hear you.) Captivity is nothing but bondage. Well, bondage to what, you may ask. I'm glad you did, but only you can answer that. 2 Timothy says that we are 'led away with divers lusts,'. That means they are different from person to person. Only you know what the lust of your flesh is, only you know what your potential addiction is. Correction: you, God and Satan know. And trust me, he will do all he can to capitalize upon that knowledge.
That is the reason for the use of the term silly women used by Paul. That term means foolish women. So we need to go back to Proverbs for some wisdom! The 5th verse of the 8th chapter addresses the simple, imploring them to understand wisdom and to have an understanding heart. Read these verses from chapter 9:
Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest places of the city, whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
Verse 10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.
If we don't want to be listed with the silly women, the foolish women, those who are led away captive, then we need to pursue and seek wisdom. We need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Appropriate His wisdom and use it.
I am looking forward to completing this study as we take different topics from the book of Proverbs and look at them. Some of them will be purity, reputation, self-control, words and greed. Look for more posts on these topics in the upcoming weeks.
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