Proverbs 9:1-6 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

Opening: When God gave His Law to Israel through Moses, why did He give it from a mountaintop and not from a valley? Why didn’t God give His Law next to a beautiful stream? Why not in a green pasture? Why on a mountaintop? Pastor Russell H. Conwell wrote in his sermon “Above The Snake Line”:

“In one of his letters the great poet, William Cullen Bryant, who so loved the Berkshire hills {of Massachusetts}, mentioned the fact that when the hills were first occupied by settlers, they found that down in the valleys were very dangerous serpents. The rattlesnake was there, the poisonous adder was there, the copperhead was there. In order to escape these serpents, they built their residences upon the hills. Ancient tradition related that there was a “snake line” above which no poisonous snake ever crept. If a person builded above an elevation of about twelve hundred feet above the sea, no poisonous serpents ever bit his children, or destroyed his property, or endangered his life. But if he built in the valley, he was subject to these deathly dangers. In the old times when the country was settled, every person who approached was advised to build his house “above the snake line.” Above the snake line the early settlers dwelt—those pioneer New Englanders whose emigrants formed the foundation of the middle and western states. The farms were small, the ground stony and difficult to clear for agriculture. The mountains were covered with the primitive forest. The valley soil was richer and more easily worked, but those wise and pious Pilgrim fathers endeavored to build their homes safely “above the snake line.” ”

God offered His Word to Moses “above the snake line”. In order to receive God’s Word, Moses had to submit to God, climb the mountain, and rest on the mountaintop. The Word of God will always lead us to the mountain top, above the snake line.

Consider the first 9 chapters of Proverbs to be like a trip up the Mountain of God. We have seen the value and beauty of God’s Word.

God gave us free will, the ability to choose His Word or the cultural human word. We can either …follow God’s Word (Wisdom) or follow man’s word (Cultural Folly). Chapter 9 is the top of the mountain. Wisdom, God’s Word, speaks to those willing to climb this mountain. But at the same time Folly will call out in verses 13-18, trying to lead you into cultural wokeness and stupidity rather than the way of righteousness. If you decide to stay with Wisdom (God’s Word), the following chapters will give us practical applications for life.

Building The House Of Wisdom –
What Is It’s Foundation?

Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

Wisdom – the Word of God – builds a stable house, a stable home, a stable Church. What is the FOUNDATION that these SEVEN PILLARS stand on?

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

The foundation of Wisdom’s building is “fear of the Lord”. People – especially poor theologians – are constantly trying to downplay these types of scripture. Since “God is LOVE” (1 John 4:8, 16), the Lord doesn’t want us to fear Him, does He? These storefront theologians will tell you that “this just means to see how awesome God is, much like the awe I felt when I stood near Niagara Falls” This is ____. Let’s interpret the “fear of the Lord” using not our opinion, but what the Bible says is the fear of the Lord. When you look up the phrase “the fear of the Lord”, the first place you find it is in 1 Samuel chapter 11. In that passage, the Ammonites threatened to destroy the Israelites. Rather than rally behind their God given King Saul, the people allowed fear to take over, and became an effeminate, weeping nation of crybabies. The Bible says:

1 Samuel 11:6-7 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. [7] And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

Did you get that? God used FEAR to drive the people. Saul promised THAT GOD would destroy their OXEN, which is the same as destroying their means of livelihood … and did so at God’s behest.

When we as a nation have no fear of the Lord,
we can lose our economic prosperity!

Fear of the Lord is necessary for stability. It is the “fear of the Lord” that routes the enemy and drives the Israelites (2 Chronicles 14:14; 17:10). It is the “fear of the Lord” that leads God’s people to be faithful to Him (2 Chronicles 19:9), and the “fear of the Lord” that leads us away from doing evil (Job 28:28). King David was successful as a monarch because he knew “the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever” (Psalm 19:9), and he taught his children the “fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11). We have previously seen that “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13), and will be told in the next chapter that:

Proverbs 10:27 The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Why are people dying from sexually transmitted diseases and suicide? Because they have no fear of the Lord. If you have no fear of the Lord, you do not care what God’s Word prescribes. You live life according to your whims and wants, rather than in the grip of God. Those who are on again, off again Christians have no fear of the Lord. They fear death and disease, public ridicule and financial loss, hair loss and aging – but have no fear of Him Who gave them life in the first place.

When you fear God, you walk according to His directives knowing that HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT.

Proverbs 14:26-27 In the fear of the LORD [is] strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. [27] The fear of the LORD [is] a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

If you have “fear of the Lord”, then you respect and honor Him, and put Him first in your life. There are no blessings to the person who will not fear the Lord. God is not a spare tire: He is KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

The Foundation Laid, What Are The Seven Pillars?

Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars

The Bible is linear, written by One Author, God Almighty. To interpret the Bible we must use the Bible. The Seven Pillars of Wisdom’s House are given to us in …

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first PURE, then PEACEABLE, GENTLE, and EASY TO BE ENTREATED, full of MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS, WITHOUT PARTIALITY, and WITHOUT HYPOCRISY.

By the numbers, the 7 Pillars are:

Purity
Peaceable-ness
Gentleness
Reasonableness
Merciful To Others
Impartiality
Sincerity

Purity: Let’s look at these Pillars. We’ll start with PURITY. The first Pillar in the life that God builds is purity, the Greek men hagnos, which means “truly chaste, apart from the world, consecrated to God”. God saves us to be His children, and commands that we NOT be like the world. God does not save us IN our sins, but FROM our sins. God tells us:

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Yes, as humans we will sin. But we should not revel in it, wallowing in sin like a pig in the mud. We are God’s possession, not the devil’s. We belong to Jesus. God warns us in:

Psalm 24:3–4 (ESV) Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Peaceable-ness:Jesus wants His people to live together in harmony, for it is in unity that we are empowered by God. Jesus said:

Matthew 5:9 (ESV) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

A peacemaker never compromises the truth of God’s Word in order to mollify someone. But like Jesus, He is never warlike and purposefully divisive.

The Scripture encourages us in Romans 12:18 (NIV) If it is POSSIBLE, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Gentleness: As believers in God, we are to stand firm on His Word, but not become violent or “shouting” when someone does not agree with us. Anger and rage that are dumped on others is of the flesh, not of God. The Scripture says that the:

Galatians 5:22-23 … the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, GENTLENESS, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance…

We do not steam roll others, but are patient with them, knowing that God is in control. Along with gentleness, the next pillar is:

Reasonableness: People should be able to talk to us. It is possible to have different points of view without shouting and demanding. We should be able to have a discussion. But in the end, it is what God’s Word says that matters. The Bible says:

Philippians 4:5 (ESV) Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

Illustrate:Note how Jesus interacted with the Samaritan Woman at the Well. Though Jesus was clearly a Jew by His skin tone, and the Samaritan was used to Jewish racism, Jesus asked her for some water. Though the woman was argumentative and resistant, Jesus never took the bait. He stayed on point, constantly showing to her that He is the Messiah sent of God through Israel. When she moved into deception, trying to hide the fact that she was currently in an adulterous living arrangement, Jesus called her out and demanded she repent. Jesus ended the encounter by the great Biblical truth:

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Many who worship God today – professing “Christianity” – are actually worshiping like the Samaritans did. Rather than worship God “in Spirit and in truth” they divorce their worship of God from the Scriptures. I saw a news video where the President, Vice President, and several other high political elites were “worshiping” together, singing praises to God. In the midst of the group stood a black man with a long flowing beard … dressed in a long, woman’s cocktail dress …. worshiping along with them. God must be worshiped in “Spirit and in truth”, and God is the Arbiter of Truth. Our leadership is worshiping a golden calf .. not God!

Merciful To Others: Being merciful to others does not mean justifying the evidence of sin in their lives. Statements like “I hate homosexuals” is incompatible with the House of God. We are not to hate anyone, but to understand that, without Christ, they are blind to their sin. Our God is merciful, but does not overlook sin. The Scripture says:

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

It is the MERCY of God that led us to salvation – not His judgment. God’s mercy did not condone our sins, but commanded us to repent and come to Christ. God made us alive in Christ BY GRACE, and raised us up from the darkness and into the light of God.

Impartiality: This is the Greek adiákritos {pronounced ad-ee-ak’-ree-tos}, which means “without dubiousness, ambiguity, or uncertainty”. The God that saved me by Grace can save ANYONE by Grace. We are not to make assumptions on what God will or will not do. Our job as Ambassadors for Christ is to present His Gospel to all, regardless as to their place in life. We are not to judge the hearts of others – merely the fruit. The seventh pillar is:

Sincerity: The Greek anypókritos {pronounced an-oo-pok’-ree-tos}, which means “unfeigned, without hypocrisy, undisguised”.

God’s Word Calls Us Out Of The World/ Culture

Proverbs 9:2-6 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

There is no want in the House of God, for Wisdom, having built her house, invites others to come. “She hath killed her beasts”. Wisdom has prepared a feast for her inhabitants. Her table is furnished, and the proper drink is at hand. Jesus said:

John 6:35 … I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.

The world by hunger gets into sin and deprivation. But those who indwell the House of Christ, who trust the Word of God, will find their needs met. God does not starve His Children! To enter Wisdom’s House – the Kingdom of God – you must first REPENT. Though God calls us, He demands of us:

Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding

We are to live by the Word of God, to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:1, 4). You cannot follow God and follow the darkness. The saved walk with God. It is like that old hymn:

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey!
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way;
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

Proverbs 9:7-9 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

There are those who the Bible calls “SCORNERS” (lûṣ, pro. Loots) which means “those who mock, scoff, will not listen”. As believers we are to present God’s Word to all who will hear, but not waste time arguing with foolish argumentative people. At a certain point Jesus stopped trying to convince the Pharisees, and just spoke the brutal truth. You cannot argue anyone into Heaven. They must be willing to REPENT, to LISTEN, and to APPLY the Word of God to their lives.

Jesus never begged anyone to repent.
He just told them to do so.

God’s Word makes one final appeal to all who will hear:

Proverbs 9:11-12 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

Those who follow God’s Word to the mountaintop will find that their lives are better for it. But the choice is yours. God will not make you come to Him – He just says:

Revelation 22:17 … the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

It’s your choice. Follow God’s Word and live, or follow the culture and die.

A Final Word From The Valley

Proverbs 9:13-18 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

God’s Word, Wisdom, calls out from the mountain top. Step out of the valley, out of the darkness, and go to Him Who loves you. But many refuse that path, and instead of listening to Wisdom (God’s Word) they heed the woman of the valley, of culture, of man’s traditions, of the golden calves, of the bearded black men in evening gowns dancing next to the vacuous politicians. Who are in this house. We are told in the last verse:

the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell

It looks like a party, looks like fun and happiness, but it is the habitation of those who are spiritually dead, separated from God by their sins and sinful ways. They are in hell now, and are headed to hell for all eternity. Why? Because they would not go up the mountain to God. They would not say “no” to this lost world and “YES” to Jesus. Oh, that God the Holy Spirit would touch your hearts and draw you to Him today. A day of reckoning is coming, dear friends. The fruit that your life produces now shows the state of your heart. The golden calf will not get you to Heaven. Only Jesus can. Repent without delay, and come to Him Who loves you so much that He died for you. Holy Spirit, make it so today.

Amen and Amen!