Part I Who is Lady Wisdom?

“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” Where cross the crowded ways of life, Where sound the cries of race and clan Above the noise of selfish strife, We hear Thy voice, O Son of Man. In haunts of wretchedness and need, On shadowed thresholds dark with fears, From paths where hide the lures of greed, We catch the vision of Thy tears.

“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” From tender childhood’s helplessness, From woman’s grief, man’s burdened toil, From famished souls, from sorrow’s stress, Thine heart has never known recoil. The cup of water given for Thee, Still holds the freshness of Thy grace; Yet long these multitudes to see The sweet compassion of Thy face.

“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” O Master from the mountainside, Make haste to heal these hearts of pain; Among these restless throngs abide; And tread the city’s streets again. ’Til sons of men shall learn Thy love And follow where Thy feet have trod, ’Til glorious from Thy heaven above, Shall come the city of our God!

Wisdom in Proverbs: “Getting it” One who is wise is one who “gets it”—and gets it specifically in the deeper areas of life and reality. One who is wise is one who “gets it”—and gets it specifically in the deeper areas of life and reality. Such people “get it” in ways that give them insight into what’s true and real and right so that they relate to reality in such a way as to live skillfully in their practical day-to-day lives. Such people “get it” in ways that give them insight into what’s true and real and right so that they relate to reality in such a way as to live skillfully in their practical day-to-day lives.

Wisdom in Proverbs: “Getting it” To speak of the wisdom of God is to speak of how God “gets it.” To speak of the wisdom of God is to speak of how God “gets it.” For us to pursue wisdom is to seek to be people who “get it.” For us to pursue wisdom is to seek to be people who “get it.” Truly to “get it” is to have understanding of things from a perspective given by God, an understanding that is deeply intimate and transformational, coinciding with righteousness. Truly to “get it” is to have understanding of things from a perspective given by God, an understanding that is deeply intimate and transformational, coinciding with righteousness.

KETHUBIM (“Writings”) Psalms Job Proverbs Ruth Song of Songs Ecclesiastes Lamentations Esther Daniel Ezra-Nehemiah Chronicles

Femininity in the Kethubim Job’s lovely daughters (Job ) Job’s lovely daughters (Job ) Lady Wisdom (et al) throughout Proverbs Lady Wisdom (et al) throughout Proverbs The story of Ruth The story of Ruth Solomon’s bride in the Song of Songs Solomon’s bride in the Song of Songs Jerusalem portrayed as a tragic young widow in Lamentations Jerusalem portrayed as a tragic young widow in Lamentations The story of Esther The story of Esther The queen’s wise advice in Daniel ( ) The queen’s wise advice in Daniel ( ) Emphasis placed on the wives and mothers of the kings of Judah throughout Chronicles Emphasis placed on the wives and mothers of the kings of Judah throughout Chronicles

The Feminine in Proverbs LADY WISDOM — i.e. wisdom personified as a woman LADY WISDOM — i.e. wisdom personified as a woman ( ) ( ) THE WOMAN OF FOLLY — i.e. foolishness personified as a woman THE WOMAN OF FOLLY — i.e. foolishness personified as a woman ( , ) ( , ) Motherly instruction and leadership ( , ,28 ) Motherly instruction and leadership ( , ,28 )

The Feminine in Proverbs Blessings of fidelity to and enjoyment of one’s covenant wife ( ) Blessings of fidelity to and enjoyment of one’s covenant wife ( ) Various references to good/wise women and bad/foolish women throughout the Proverbs of Solomon (Chs. 10—29) Various references to good/wise women and bad/foolish women throughout the Proverbs of Solomon (Chs. 10—29) The Woman of Noble Character ( ) The Woman of Noble Character ( )

Who is Lady Wisdom? A poetic personification of the dynamic interplay of understanding and relationship which flows between the Members of the Triune Godhead— particularly the Son and the Spirit—in the context of the story of creation and new creation. A poetic personification of the dynamic interplay of understanding and relationship which flows between the Members of the Triune Godhead— particularly the Son and the Spirit—in the context of the story of creation and new creation.

Part II What does Lady Wisdom have to say?

Lady Wisdom in Proverbs Lady Wisdom’s 1 st Speech: Lady Wisdom’s 1 st Speech: A Severe Warning ( ) References to Lady Wisdom (Chs.2-7) References to Lady Wisdom (Chs.2-7) – She is to be sought as treasure (2 4 ) – She brings blessing and profit ( ) – She bestows honor and grace (4 5-9 ) – She is to be guarded as one’s own life (4 13 ) – She is to be an intimate sister/friend (7 4 ) Lady Wisdom’s 2 nd Speech: Lady Wisdom’s 2 nd Speech: Her Call and Her Eminence (Ch.8) Lady Wisdom’s 3 rd Speech: Lady Wisdom’s 3 rd Speech: Her Banquet Invitation (9 1-6 )

Structure of Proverbs 9 A — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6) A — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-18)

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Work

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Work She is industrious: Building her house Building her house Making preparations Making preparations Employing assistants Employing assistants She is ignorant. She sits and yells. She offers stolen goods.

Possible Categories of the “Powers” Natural structures Natural structures – The order of the physical/natural universe Political structures Political structures – States – Rulers – Military – Markets/economy – Money – Race – Class – Family Religious structures Religious structures – Religions/worldviews – Religious/spiritual underpinnings of stable societies Intellectual structures Intellectual structures – —ologies and —isms – Schools/education

Possible Categories of the “Powers” Cultural structures Cultural structures – Status symbology – Celebrity – Public opinion – Media Moral structures Moral structures – Codes and customs – The socially expected/acceptable

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Work She is industrious: Building her house Building her house Making preparations Making preparations Employing assistants Employing assistants She is ignorant. She sits and yells. She offers stolen goods. Calls to…

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Work She is industrious: Building her house Building her house Making preparations Making preparations Employing assistants Employing assistants She is ignorant. She sits and yells. She offers stolen goods. Calls to… Whoever is simple; Whoever lacks sense. Whoever passes by, trying to make their ways straight. Whoever is simple; Whoever lacks sense.

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Work She is industrious: Building her house Building her house Making preparations Making preparations Employing assistants Employing assistants She is ignorant. She sits and yells. She offers stolen goods. Calls to… Whoever is simple; Whoever lacks sense. Whoever passes by, trying to make their ways straight. Whoever is simple; Whoever lacks sense. Invitation

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Work She is industrious: Building her house Building her house Making preparations Making preparations Employing assistants Employing assistants She is ignorant. She sits and yells. She offers stolen goods. Calls to… Whoever is simple; Whoever lacks sense. Whoever passes by, trying to make their ways straight. Whoever is simple; Whoever lacks sense. Invitation “Turn aside here” “Come eat my bread and drink my wine” “Turn aside here” Drink stolen water and eat secret bread

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Condition

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Condition “Forsake your folly” [NONE]

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Condition “Forsake your folly” [NONE] Elements of Meal

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Condition “Forsake your folly” [NONE] Elements of Meal Meat and Mixed Wine; Bread and Mixed Wine Water and Bread

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Condition “Forsake your folly” [NONE] Elements of Meal Meat and Mixed Wine; Bread and Mixed Wine Water and Bread Results for Guest

The Two Women and Their Offers Lady Wisdom Woman of Folly Condition “Forsake your folly” [NONE] Elements of Meal Meat and Mixed Wine; Bread and Mixed Wine Water and Bread Results for Guest Life and Understanding Ignorance and Death

Structure of Proverbs 9 A — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6) B — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8) B — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12) A — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-18)

Structure of Proverbs 9 A — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6) B — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8) C — The Wise Man’s Increasing Wisdom (v.9) C — The Wise Man’s Increased Life (v.11) B — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12) A — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-18)

Structure of Proverbs 9 A — The Invitation of Lady Wisdom (vv.1-6) B — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (vv.7-8) C — The Wise Man’s Increasing Wisdom (v.9) D — The Fear of the L ORD (v.10) C — The Wise Man’s Increased Life (v.11) B — Wise Man vs. Scoffer (v.12) A — The Allure of the Woman of Folly (vv.13-18)