Hello Saints,
What a great time to be alive! God is moving on planet Earth! “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed.” (Rom.8:19) A separation, refining, purification and beautification is happening as the Bride of Christ prepares herself to reflect the glory of her Bridegroom! Is the great banquet on the horizon?
Have you ever had two dinner invites for the same evening? Maybe you’ve had two wedding invitations, and had to decide which one you would attend. What criteria did you use? Proverbs 9 sets before us, just such a scenario. It is the conclusion to the Introduction into the book of Proverbs. Before one goes further in the book, one is forced to CHOOSE between two invitations – that of Lady WISDOM, and that of woman FOLLY. I have put the two invitations side by side so we can see the obvious difference between the two “women”, and what they are offering. Using the New Living Translation, it is apparent which one is the right choice. Yet, why do so many choose the wrong one?
| 1Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, 5 "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise." |
13 The woman named Folly is loud and brash. She is ignorant and doesn't even know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, 17 "Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!" 18 But the men don't realize that her former guests are now in the grave. |
When I read these verses, I am reminded of the many times God asked His people to make choices: “Choose today whom you will serve (Josh. 24:15); Choose the broad or narrow road (Matt. 7:13-14); Choose sin or obedience (Rom. 6:16); Choose life or death (Deut. 30:15); Choose eternal life or perish (John 3:16). Our choices always have consequences! We have to choose to respond to the invitations we receive. How good are we at saying “NO”? Do we know what to say “YES” to?
Verses 7 to 12 contain the secret to choosing the right invitation: Knowledge of the Holy One brings the understanding required to choose rightly. God’s wisdom allows us to make right choices. Wise people are teachable and by receiving instruction become even wiser. Righteous people desire to learn more about the Lord and what He requires of them. The wise and righteous are rewarded for their wisdom. So, we must ask ourselves, “Am I teachable”? Am I ready to receive instruction from the following proverbs, so that I may honor the Lord with my life, be a witness for Him, and receive the blessing that comes with obedience? It’s time to respond to the invitation! It’s time to send in the reply, “I’m in; I’ll be there”!
God invites us to respond to His invitation; come to the banquet! (See Matt. 22:1-14)
Isaiah 55:1 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.
Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." Let each one who hears them say, "Come." Let the thirsty ones come-- anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge
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