David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Proverbs 7-9, Psalm 134.

Proverbs 8:1-11

Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?
² On the heights beside the way,
    at the crossroads she takes her stand;
³ beside the gates in front of the town,
    at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
⁴ “To you, O men, I call,
    and my cry is to the children of man.
⁵ O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O fools, learn sense.
⁶ Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,
⁷ for my mouth will utter truth;
    wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
⁸ All the words of my mouth are righteous;
    there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
⁹ They are all straight to him who understands,
    and right to those who find knowledge.
¹⁰ Take my instruction instead of silver,
    and knowledge rather than choice gold,
¹¹ for wisdom is better than jewels,
    and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Proverbs 9:13-18

The woman Folly is loud;
    she is seductive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house;
    she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
¹⁵ calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    And to him who lacks sense she says,
¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

There is no doubt that temptation presents itself attractively. Whether it is the intoxicating scents of perfume and silk sheets or the glitter and glamour of the seductress, temptation is designed to entice, lure, and attract. I like to say that the serpent did not offer Eve some half-rotten, maggot-infested piece of fruit lying on the garden floor. The fruit was “good for food,” “a delight to the eyes,” and “desired to make one wise” (Genesis 3:6). Bait works because it resembles the real thing — or something even better than the real thing. But bait hides a barbed hook.

That is the warning Solomon gives his son — and us — throughout these chapters of Proverbs. Two voices are calling for our attention. One whispers alluring promises. The other speaks truth and wisdom. One says, “Look at me! Here is pleasure, excitement, fulfillment.” The other says, “Fear the LORD. Walk in truth. There is no life better than life with God.”

The seductress offers promises that vanish with the morning light. Solomon warns us about the illusion of quick satisfaction: “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (Proverbs 9:17). But then comes the devastating reality: “He does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol” (v. 18). Temptation overpromises and underdelivers every time.

But Proverbs is about more than avoiding bad decisions or learning practical life skills. Chapter 8 lifts our eyes higher. Wisdom is personified as one who was with God “at the beginning of his work” and “before the beginning of the earth” (Proverbs 8:22–23). Here is more than poetic imagery. Wisdom points us toward the eternal Word through whom all things were made.

Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God in the flesh. He does not merely give wise advice — he is Wisdom incarnate. His words are truth. His way leads to life. And unlike the empty promises of temptation, his promises endure. He forgives our foolish wandering, rescues us from the hooks we have swallowed, and leads us in paths of righteousness.

All who listen to him will find not only wisdom for this life, but everlasting life, joy, and peace in the presence of God.

Click here, or on the image below for the Bible Project Video on Proverbs