By David Brooks | Founder and CEO of Divine Timing Ministries

Proverbs 9: Wisdom’s Banquet vs. The Foolish Woman’s Call in the Digital Age

As you scroll through this article, many of you are like me. You wake up in the morning with your normal routine. Maybe a cup of coffee, say a prayer, look at Scripture, and then you begin your day—maybe it’s at work or somewhere else.

But for me, at home being a digital marketer, I’ll check my business emails and things like that, then I’ll see what’s going on with social media. And it almost seems like Proverbs chapter 9 knew all of this thousands of years in advance.

What I see on social media is a literal blueprint of Proverbs chapter 9.

THE SEVEN PILLARS AND THE IGNORED INVITATION

Proverbs 9 describes Wisdom building her house on seven pillars, preparing a massive banquet, and sending out her maids to call from the highest places of the city: “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither!”

Without pushing advertising very hard, so many people will pass by an article like this, not giving it a second thought because it’s not “interesting” to them. They scroll right past the banquet of eternal life. Isn’t this exactly what Proverbs 9 is describing? Wisdom calls out, but people do not take the invitation. They go in the way of foolishness.

MOCKERS, SCOFFERS, AND THE DANGER OF REPROOF

Proverbs 9 goes on to describe mockers and scoffers. Look at the comment sections on any major platform. It’s a breeding ground for scorning, reproof, and insults.

But the Scripture gives us a vital warning: “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” (Proverbs 9:8)

If you try to reprove a mocker on social media, you yourself are going to look foolish trying to do so. Give instruction to a wise man, and he’ll be wiser. But do not cast your pearls before those who only want to mock the truth.

THE FOOLISH WOMAN (AND THE FOOLISH MEN) OF THE DIGITAL AGE

Then we get to the final call—the warning about the foolish woman. I’m not trying to insult women with this sermon on wisdom. But I’m only saying that on my social media accounts, I often see them flaunting their bodies to get attention because of their insecurities.

And believe me when I tell you, that’s what it’s for. Why else would one do it? Something to prove? The Bible says they lack understanding. And their way is the way of death.

Being a man, someone might tell me to be careful here. But don’t worry—I pick on the men just as much as I do the women. Men flaunting their wealth, flexing their muscles, posting arrogant boasts to prove their worth. We all have to guard our own selves and learn the ways of wisdom. Verse 17 even hints at the allure of “stolen waters” and “bread eaten in secret”—the secret sins and hidden compromises that look sweet in the moment but lead to the depths of hell.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD: THE TRUE BEGINNING

Amidst all the noise, the vanity, and the foolishness, Proverbs 9:10 drops the ultimate anchor: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

Our job is to wake people up. To forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding. The “I AM Wisdom” series on this website is grounded right here in Proverbs. We are pointing people away from the dark doorway of the foolish woman, and toward the seven-pillared banquet of the King.

⚡ YOUR 5-MINUTE ACTIVATION: AUDIT YOUR FEED

What are you feeding your eyes and your spirit? Take 5 minutes to audit your digital intake.