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Which Will You Choose?

Proverbs 9:14-15 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹⁴She sits at the door of her house;
on a seat at the highest places of the city,
¹⁵calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,

She sits at the door of her house: Unlike lady wisdom, the simpleminded foolish woman does not send out maidens to call from the highest places in the city. (9:3) In addition, there are no details of the house like what we found from lady wisdom back in 9:1. Moreover, the elaborate banquet of Lady wisdom described in 9:2 is not found here with the simpleminded foolish woman either.

On a seat at the highest places of the city: The reference to the simpleminded foolish woman’s house being at the highest places in the city is the same as lady wisdom in 9:3 but they are clearly two different places. The simpleminded woman has her house. However, it is not dignified, majestic, and awe-inspiring in appearance like the palace with seven pillars of the home of Wisdom. She has no procession of maidens taking care of her every need, inviting her guests. She herself sits at the door, trying to generate a position as recognized and celebrated as Wisdom’s, imitating her voice fraudulently, making the identical offer to the same class of people. We notice verses 4 and 16 are similar. 9:4 reads, “‘Whoever is simple [inexperienced], let him turn in here!’ As for him who is in want of heart [lacking good sense], she says to him.” 9:16 says, “‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ And to him who is in want of heart, she says ….”

Calling to those who pass by: The only similarity between the simpleminded foolish woman and lady wisdom is the calling out to others, which lady wisdom does in verse 3, and also 1:20–21 and 8:1-3. However, 9:3 has lady wisdom has sent out willing maidens to do the calling in the highest parts of the city while the simpleminded foolish woman sits on a seat at the front door of her house, doing the calling herself to whoever will listen.

Who are going straight on their way: The reference here to the simpleminded foolish woman calling out of her doorway to those going straight on their way could be simply to a busy street with many people passing by or a possible reference to the upright ones of Proverbs 4:25-27.

While the simpleminded foolish woman is not actively going out in the streets to find her inexperienced ones, she is calling out to all who will listen. Just as the Israelites stumbled repeatedly at the simpleminded foolish woman throughout a 1,500-year period, billions today are caught off guard at the simpleminded foolish woman. We know her better as the world of humankind, who are alienated from God and are seeking their own fleshly desires.

The simpleminded foolish woman is depicted as a loud, undisciplined, and stupid woman. She also has built a house. And she personally has taken it upon herself the task of calling out to the inexperienced ones. So, the one passing by has a choice. Will he accept lady wisdom’s invitation or that of the simpleminded foolish woman?