Proverbs 9:1-6 (NRSV)
Read Proverbs 9:1-6 on biblegateway.com
Verse 2She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine,
Verse 3She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls
Verse 4"You that are simple, turn in here!"
Verse 5"Come, eat of my bread
Verse 6Lay aside immaturity,
Devotion
The previous chapter of Proverbs gives some context about who this Wisdom is that calls people to a feast of bread and wine. Wisdom's invitation trumps the world's lure of precious metals and choice jewels; leads us to hate pride, arrogance and evil.
Why might we reject this invitation to receive such a feast? Perhaps it means admitting we have been foolish in our own journey. Perhaps it means owning some of the wickedness in which we take delight. Perhaps it means letting go of worldly treasures so we might grasp, with Wisdom's help, the bread that is truly life. Perhaps it means sharing a common cup with others and seeing the reflection of God's image in all who have been invited to the table—and we're not there yet.
Wisdom calls us to repent, to turn from our own simple and self-destructive ways. We are called to embrace maturity, acknowledge our folly and take our place at the table.
Prayer
God, your call to us is often so clear. In our "wisdom" we obscure with excuses, half-truths and justifications. Help us admit that we are simple, and empower us to simply answer your call to turn and find life. Amen.