LESSON 07 - PROTECTION AGAINST FOLLY

byIvaldo Fernandes •

 Youth 4th quarter 2024


November 17, 2024

MAIN TEXT
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” ( James 3.17 )

LESSON SUMMARY
A life of wisdom has moderation as an antidote to a foolish life

WEEKLY READING


OBJECTIVES
TO SHOW the meaning of the two ladies: Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly:
TO RECOGNIZE that wisdom is an antidote to foolishness
TO BECOME AWARE of the consequences of foolishness.

INTERACTION
Dear teacher, in this Sunday’s lesson we will see that the believer must seek to walk in a virtuous path, as taught by the Holy Scriptures. This truth is not false moralism, as some influenced by the culture of our time claim. Nowadays, many have exchanged the moderate, temperate and prudent lifestyle for a foolish, completely immoderate, intemperate and reckless style. That is why chapter 9, which we will study in this lesson, is such a relevant subject for young people. It will introduce us to two ladies: the first, wisdom; the second, madness. Lady Wisdom symbolizes life with Christ in which moderation is a virtue to be sought and lived. Lady Folly symbolizes the foolish life, based only on the appeals of a disorderly life and uncommitted to the values ​​of the Kingdom of God. At the end of the lesson, may you and your students make a commitment to seek a moderate life, in which wisdom, which comes from above, is manifested to all those around us, glorifying the name of the Lord.

TEACHING GUIDANCE
Teacher, explain that “in chapter 9 of Proverbs, wisdom and folly are portrayed as young and rival women; each prepares a banquet and invites guests to participate. Wisdom is a woman of character and responsibility, while folly is a licentious woman who serves stolen food. Wisdom appeals to the mind; folly, to the senses. It is easier to excite the senses, but the pleasures of the body are temporary. In contrast, the satisfaction provided by wisdom lasts forever” (Adapted from Personal Application Study Bibles, Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, p, 843).

BIBLE TEXT
Proverbs 9.1-6,13-18
1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars.
2 She has sacrificed her victims, she has mixed her wine, she has prepared her table.
3 She has given orders to her maidens, she has invited from the heights of the city, saying,
4 Let the simple turn here. To those who lack understanding she says,
5 Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine that I have mixed.
6 Leave the foolish, and live, and walk in the way of understanding.
13 A foolish woman is noisy; she is foolish and knows nothing.
14 And she sits at the door of her house or on a seat on the heights of the city.
15 To call those who pass by, who go straight on their way.
16 Let the simple turn here. And to those who lack understanding he says,
17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
18 But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of hell.

INTRODUCTION
In this lesson, we will study chapter 9 which presents two ladies: the first, wisdom; the second, foolishness. Which one will we listen to?

I- TWO LADIES: LADY WISDOM AND LADY MADNESS

1- Chapter 9. This chapter of Proverbs is the conclusion of the first section of the book (Chapters 1 to 9) which is characterized by the defense of wisdom. In these first nine chapters, the wise man wants to show how good, true and beautiful wisdom is when understood and applied to the life of the young person who feeds on it ( Prov 9:1 ). Thus, chapter 9 is divided into three sections: the invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv. 1- 6); the interlude between the two invitations (vv. 7-12) and the invitation of Lady Folly (vv. 13-18). In this lesson, we will focus on the following sections: verses 1-6 and verses 13-18.
2- Lady Wisdom. Chapter 9 presents wisdom as a lady who, first of all, built her house on seven pillars, that is, a spacious, well-founded and comfortable house to receive those who desire hospitality in its facilities (v. 1). Furthermore, she prepared the table with appetizing foods and pleasant-smelling drinks (v. 2). In this way, she gave orders to the maids to invite all those who are simple and lacking in understanding (vv. 3.4). It is interesting to note here that the “maids” are normally presented as the teachers, spiritual leaders and parents who constitute the young man’s relationship. In this context, Lady Wisdom calls upon all young people: “Come, eat and drink” from wisdom (v. 5). Whoever accepts this invitation abandons foolishness and walks on the path of
right understanding (v. 6).
3- Lady Folly. Unlike Lady Wisdom, Lady Folly is “noisy”, that is, noisy and, at the same time, seductive in strategies to ensnare her victim (v. 13: 7.11). Unlike wisdom, she lacks understanding, has no common sense and no respect for the things of God (v. 13). The weapon of her seduction is presented from a position of splendor, for Lady Folly sits on the heights of the city (v. 14). From there, together with an elite culture-forming community, she calls out to the simple youth, seducing them in the following way: “Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” ( Prov. 9:17 ). Doesn’t this invitation remind us of the words of the Serpent to Eve ( Gen. 3:4, 5 )? The chapter ends dramatically, saying that where Lady Folly is, the dead are also found, in the depths of Hell (v. 13). This section, then, shows that it is better to choose the path of life than the path of death.

SUBSIDY 1
Teacher, explain to students that Proverbs chapter 9 concludes the first section of the book and presents life’s choices in the two contrasting invitations of wisdom (1–6) and folly (13–18). Both are presented as two hostesses who host their respective feasts for all to enjoy. Their invitations are separated by an interesting interlude (7–12). Some scholars believe that this interlude belongs in the next section of Proverbs and was placed here by mistake. Others, however, consider its inclusion here to be very significant, for its placement allows the chapter (the section of the book) to culminate in a dramatic climax (v. 18); its content corrects the impression that men are saved or lost merely by a single, impulsive decision. Here we see choice maturing and becoming character. (Adapted from Beacon Bible Commentary. Vol 3. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD. 2005, p. 379.)

II- WISDOM AS AN ANTIDOTE TO FOLLY

1- Wisdom appeals to the mind. The invitation of wisdom in Proverbs 9 can be correlated with what the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” ( Phil 4:8 ). Yes, responding in a practical way to the appeals of divine wisdom involves, as we have seen in previous lessons, the faculty of thought dominated by the Word of God, with things from above. Therefore, the invitation of wisdom is to use the intellectual faculty purposefully, so that we “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” ( 2 Cor 10:5 – NIV).
2- Wisdom appeals to doing good. Thinking about what is eternal, holy and elevated, from a spiritual point of view, this heavenly reality, through the Holy Spirit, affects our senses, awakens in us love for God and, therefore, for our neighbor, and we can put into practice what we think ( Phil 4.8 ). The wisdom from above is a call to do virtuously what we think. At all times, the teaching of the New Testament is a call to put into practice what we think according to what we learn from Jesus and His Word ( James 1.22 ; cf. Matthew 7.24.25 ).
3- The Christian life is a path of wisdom. The New Testament teaches us that the Christian life is a path of thinking and doing good. Therefore, it is a path of wisdom, but a wisdom that comes from above ( James 3.17 ). Therefore, the young Christian is not called to live merely according to his senses or instincts. No! The young Christian is invited, through a life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to ponder his choices in the light of the Word of God, so that he may find himself in fidelity to Christ and his cause. Therefore, unlike a path of foolishness, the Christian life is a path of wisdom, moderation and
temperance.

SUBSIDY 2
Teacher, talk to the students and explain that chapter 9 of Proverbs shows us that it is better to choose the path of life than the path of death. Explain that the entire Book of God is like a warning sign at the door of a deep, dark cave called “Immorality.” Many enter it, but no one comes out unharmed. Thus, in large, red letters, the Scriptures warn: “Danger! Do not enter!” Throughout all generations, however, these ancient warnings have been ignored at great cost by people who have suffered the terrible consequences of foolishness. Emphasize that responding in a practical way to the calls of divine wisdom requires the faculty of thought dominated by the Word of God. Therefore, wisdom’s invitation is to use the intellectual faculty purposefully, so that we take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10.5 – NAA).” (Adapted from SWINDOLL, Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013, p. 26.)

III- MADNESS AS CRAZY BEHAVIOR

1- Madam Folly appeals to the senses. Unlike Lady Wisdom, Lady Folly appeals to a life based solely on the senses, on the lowest instincts of the human being. We can see this in the writings of James, in which he describes madness, or rather, foolishness as “earthly, animal, and devilish wisdom” (James 3:15). Earthly and animal are expressions that reveal the agitation of the senses. Therefore, those who have a lifestyle based solely on what they feel will seek happiness purely through the senses that express pleasure. Living life taking into account only the senses, from a biblical point of view, is living in a crazy, boisterous, and senseless way ( Prov. 9:13 ).
2- Sinful behavior vs. Christian moderation. Living a lifestyle based on instincts can often be mesmerizing. In fact, sinful behavior seems more inviting and pleasant than the Christian lifestyle. The problem is that, while we live mindlessly through our senses, in search of pleasure, we do not develop an awareness of the damage that will accumulate over time. The illusion that it is easier to live sinfully will soon be dispelled when “the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:27; cf. Proverbs 9:18).
3- A moderate life is protection for the soul. The book of Proverbs makes an appeal, just like our Lord did in the Sermon on the Mount ( Matthew 7:24-27 ), to young Christians to build their lives on a true, elevated and safe premise. Therefore, in the Christian faith, a life of moderation is one of the most important virtues that we must develop in our journey with Christ. Therefore, it is wise to prefer purity to filth, peace to confusion, and to choose justice to the Lord. instead of madness, moderation; instead of being rude, being kind; instead of anger, mercy; instead of bad fruit, good fruit; instead of hypocrisy, Christian authenticity (James 3:17). One of the consequences of a life of Christian moderation is true happiness.

SUBSIDY 3
Teacher, start the topic by asking the following question: “What does ‘lady folly’ appeal to?” Encourage students to participate. Listen to their answers and say that she appeals to the senses. Explain that, unlike ‘lady wisdom,’ lady folly appeals to a life based only on the senses, on the lowest instincts of human beings. Explain that those who are guided by ‘lady folly’ will receive the Lord’s rebukes in due time. Explain that these rebukes are not always limited to the Scriptures, although they are God’s main instrument of communication. However, He will use whatever means are necessary to get our attention when we are going in the wrong direction. At other times, rebukes will come verbally, from those who care about us, including parents, friends, colleagues, a teacher… anyone. We need to consider the Lord’s rebukes and never ignore them, because those who ignore Him reveal their foolishness.” (Adapted from SWINDOLL, Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 68.)

CONCLUSION
In this lesson, we saw that Lady Wisdom symbolizes life with Christ in which moderation is a virtue to be sought and lived; and that Lady Folly symbolizes the foolish life, based only on the appeals of the senses for a disorderly life and uncommitted to the values ​​of the Kingdom of God. Let us, therefore, seek a moderate life, in which wisdom, which comes from above, is manifested to all those around us.

REVIEW TIME
1- Explain the structure of chapter 9 of Proverbs.
Chapter 9 is divided into three sections: the invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6); the interlude between the two invitations (vv.7-12); and the invitation of Lady Folly (vv.13-18).

2- Which two ladies appear in chapter 9?
Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly.

3- How can we correlate chapter 9 of Proverbs with the teaching of the apostle Paul in Philippians?
We can relate it in a practical way to the appeals of divine wisdom, since it passes through the faculty of thought dominated by the Word of God, with things from above. Therefore, the invitation of wisdom is to use the intellectual faculty purposefully.

4- According to the lesson, what is the young Christian invited to do?
The young Christian is invited, through a life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to ponder his choices in light of the Word of God, so that he finds himself in fidelity to Christ and his cause.

5- What appeal does the Book of Proverbs make to the young Christian?
The Book of Proverbs makes an appeal, just like the one our Lord made in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 7.24-27) to the young Christian to build his life on a true, elevated and secure premise.
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