Proverbs 9 … Consider His Invitation to Increase

Originally posted: 1/02/2021

Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser,
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning, (9:9).

God’s wisdom is a gift that will always yield an Increase. And when we are in relationship with Almighty God, we will be changed; for relationships can never be static, especially with the Eternal God.

Today’s reading presents the contrast between the advice offered by God’s wisdom with the wisdom the world proposes.

God’s wisdom builds and prepares, and always leads to growth and life. And His Invitation to Increase is to any and all who will come; and it will be accepted by those who realize they have no wisdom or understanding of their own, but in faith come to partake of all He has prepared.

Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;
² She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine;
She has also set her table…
⁴ “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks understanding she says,
⁵ “Come, eat of my food
And drink of the wine I have mixed.
⁶ “Forsake your folly and live,
And proceed in the way of understanding,” (9:1-2, 4-6).

On the contrary, the world’s wisdom may get our attention, offering duplicitous pleasures, but it is empty and futile… and ultimately, leads to death.

¹³ The woman of folly is boisterous,
She is naive and knows nothing.
¹⁴ She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high places of the city,
¹⁵ Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
¹⁶ “Whoever is naive, let him turn in here,”
And to him who lacks understanding 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, (9:13-17).

Consider His Invitation to Increase

• His Invitation is to Increase in Wisdom.
  • Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser… (9:9a).

• His Invitation is to Increase in Learning.
  • …Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning, (9:9b).

• His Invitation is to Increase in the Fear of the Lord.
  • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom… (9:10a).

• His Invitation is to Increase in Knowing and Understanding Him.
  • …And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding, (9:10b).

• His Invitation is to Increase in Faith for our Future.
  • For by me your days will be multiplied,
    And years of life will be added to you, (9:11).

How do we respond to His Invitation to Increase?

It is an Invitation, not an obligation. And we will not experience the blessing of His Increase unless we each accept His Invitation individually for ourselves.

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it, (9:12).

But oh, when we consider His love that extends such an Invitation of grace! His Father Heart so desires that we prosper and flourish, through His wisdom.

This year let us commit to daily accept His Invitation to Increase.

• Let us accept His Invitation to Increase in Wisdom as we daily ask in faith.
  • But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind, (James 1:5-6).

• Let us accept His Invitation to Increase in Learning as we daily come to His Word.
  • All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work, (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

• Let us accept His Invitation to Increase in the Fear of the Lord as we daily choose to obey Him.
  • The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
    His praise endures forever, (Psalm 111:10).

• Let us accept His Invitation to Increase in Knowing and Understanding Him as we daily seek Him in humility.
  • Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; ²⁴ but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord,  (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

• And let us accept His Invitation to Increase in Faith for our Future as we daily trust His plan for our life.
  • “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope,” (Jeremiah 29:11).
  • For whoever has been born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith, (1 John 5:4).

Let’s Grow and Increase Together!