The Deeper Meaning of Wisdom's Invitation

Proverbs 8-9

            Proverbs 8 begins with the image of wisdom, personified as a woman, calling out, inviting the people to embrace the best version of themselves. If folly invites us to indulge our most beastly desires, wisdom calls us to the noble ways of God. Again, I note two words: prudence and discretion (appearing 5 and 3 times in these first 9 chapters of Proverbs), Prudence can be understood as cautious, good judgment; discretion as carefulness—a carefulness that will not give offense or reveal what shouldn’t be revealed.

            Chapter 9 continues the image and contrasts the invitation of wisdom with the invitation of folly. Wisdom knows that she will not be universally accepted. Verse 7-8 point out that mockers will insult the wise and resent their insight; they are content to charge ahead in arrogance and they take pleasure in the power of having knowledge over another. But such a way leads to death.

            In between, we learn that wisdom is more than she appears (8:22-31). Wisdom existed before the creation of the world; indeed, wisdom was the Lord’s partner in creation. Later Christian reflection saw in this description of wisdom a nod toward Trinitarian theology. Wisdom was understood to be a way of referring to the pre-incarnate Christ, the second person of the Trinity. “But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

            This changes how we look at the call and the warning. It’s not just a choice between good and bad behavior; it’s a choice between the ways of God, being renewed in His image, and the ways of sin which lead to death.