Proverbs 9  Here, are two houses with two women.  The first is Wisdom ( v1-13) and the second is Folly ( v13-18)

Wisdom has built her house well. She has prepared food, set her table, and sent out her maidens to call on "whoever is naive".. to come and to "Forsake your folly and live, and proceed in the way of understanding."  She advises us to give instruction to those who will take it, and, to be wise for our own selves.

Folly, we are told, is "boisterous, she is naive, and knows nothing."  She calls out the same message, "Whoever is naive, let him turn in here.."   But, what she offers is lies and deception.  " Stolen water is sweet; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant".  It is the same lie that the serpent offered Eve in the garden. And, it leads to the same result - death.

Once again we are reminded, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  

Two houses, two women, two offers -- Jesus spoke of two gates, two roads, and two foundations.  Life is found in the house of wisdom, through the narrow gate, and on the narrow road.  It is found when we build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus' Words.  It is found when we fear the Lord, when we KNOW Him.  There are some, Jesus says, that say "Lord, Lord, didn't we..." do great things for You?  But, Jesus says, " I never knew you."  They were deceived.  They thought that they were walking in Wisdom but they were really in Folly's house.  Trying to win their way to heaven by good works, yet building their lives on the wrong foundation.   To enter into the kingdom of heaven, Jesus tells us we must, do " the will of My Father who is in heaven."

The fear of the Lord, awe and reverence... a real and holy fear of the One Who sits on the throne, where 4 living creatures serve Him, where 24 elders bow before Him, where myriad of angels sing to Him, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and blessing."  We need to know Him, the Holy One, to understand.  We must fear Him to gain true wisdom, that we might do His will and find Life.  And so I pray:

Father in heaven, "All glorious above; Oh, gratefully [we] sing of [Your] power and [Your] love; Our shield and Defender, the Ancient of days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise." Grant to Your servants wisdom and understanding.  That we might know You and fear You with humbled hearts and outstretched hands.  We fail to grasp Your greatness and power.  We fail to believe Your justice and righteous anger at our sins. You see the depths of our hearts and except for grace.. we would be cast out.  But, oh how we praise You and give You thanks, for You have redeemed us by the blood of the Lamb!  You have shown us mercy!  You have cast our sins "as far as the east is from the west".  For, "just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him."  ( Psalm 103:13)  "Bless the Lord O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name."
Amen.