TURN IN HITHER

Proverbs 9:4&16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither...

Both Wisdom and Foolishness are depicted in Proverbs 9 as women that are asking a simple person to "turn in hither." Both women are described as being alluring and most desirable to those that pass by. The simple, then, are those that are without understanding - those that are easily influenced bypeer influence and enticements.

In the first part of this Proverb (Vss. 1-12), we find Wisdom has built a grand house. It is properly built according to the counsel of God and is framed with His understanding. Its provisions of food and drink represent the knowledge of God that is available to all people that pass by its gates. To all that want understanding, Wisdom says, turn in hither. In the house of Wisdom, you will learn to forsake the foolish. You will learn to shun the scornful and the wicked. You will learn to accept rebuke and seek instruction and teaching. By doing so, you will become wiser. Most of all, you will learn to fear the Lord - to have a reverence for God that results in obedience to His will.

The second part of this Proverb (Vss. 13-18)depicts Foolishness as a clamorous woman - one that is noisy, loud, confused, and demanding. She is a complainer that makes a lot of noise, but, without depth of understanding, makes little sense. She represents folly and pleasure. She too, is attractive and alluring to those that pass by. And to the simple, those that are easily influenced, she invites them in by saying, turn in hither. She teaches those that enter to live by the same rules of life on which her own life is based. The rule of Foolishness is, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. She says that living on the edge of the law or going beyond what is legal, is where one finds things that bring pleasure. Illicit conduct is most pleasurable, and it is found in the sins ofworldliness. So says Foolishness.

Regarding wisdom: Proverbs 2:2 says ...incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding. Verse 6 tells us that the Lord giveth wisdom. To obtain wisdom, you must know where to seek it. If wisdom comes from God, where do we find it? We find it in His Holy Word - the bible. Proverbs 4:5-9 says, Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of My mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. The necessity of wisdom and understanding, as perfect guide for one's life, cannot be described any better than in these passages. It is needed as a model of our conduct, and it can never be obtained too soon in one's life.

Regarding foolishness, Proverbs 28:26 says that the foolish trust in their own hearts and minds. They disregard the advice of the wise. Ecclesiastes 2:14 says that the foolish walk in darkness. Being self confident, self righteous and self sufficient, those that are foolish rely on the wrong person for advice - they rely on themselves. Proverbs 24:9 also tells us that foolishness is a sinful characteristic of mankind.

As one travels along the pathways of life, we too will be asked by both Wisdom and Foolishness to turn in hither. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in life. This is a crossroad in your life. Which way will you turn? Both Wisdom and Foolishness are vying for your affection and asking you to turn in to them. God wants us to heed His advice and Turn to the right - turn in to Wisdom.