Proverbs 9:15 Study Bible: To call to those who pass by, who go straight on their ways,

◄ Proverbs 9:15 ►

calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight.

calling out to those who pass by
This phrase suggests an active attempt to reach out and influence others. In the context of Proverbs 9, this is part of the depiction of Folly, personified as a woman, who seeks to entice the simple and those lacking judgment. The act of "calling out" indicates a public and open invitation, similar to Wisdom's call earlier in the chapter. This reflects the cultural practice of public announcements in ancient cities, where the city gates or marketplaces were common places for such proclamations. Biblically, this can be contrasted with the call of Wisdom, which is also public but leads to life and understanding (Proverbs 8:1-4). Theologically, it highlights the constant presence of competing voices in the world, each vying for attention and allegiance.

who make their paths straight
This phrase refers to individuals who are attempting to live righteously and with purpose. In biblical terms, making one's path straight is often associated with living according to God's commandments and seeking His guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6). The imagery of a straight path is used throughout Scripture to denote a life of integrity and obedience (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3). Historically, straight paths were preferred for travel and trade, symbolizing efficiency and directness. In the context of Proverbs 9, those who "make their paths straight" are targeted by Folly, indicating that even those with good intentions can be led astray if they are not vigilant. This serves as a warning to believers to remain steadfast and discerning, aligning with the broader biblical theme of the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Wisdom and Folly
Proverbs 9 contrasts the personifications of Wisdom and Folly. Wisdom is depicted as a woman who has built her house and prepared a feast, inviting people to partake in her banquet. Folly, on the other hand, is also personified as a woman, but she is loud, seductive, and knows nothing.

2. The Simple
The simple are those who lack judgment and discernment. They are easily swayed and are the primary targets of both Wisdom and Folly.

3. The Passersby
These are individuals who are on their life's journey, making decisions that will either lead them towards wisdom or folly.

4. The Path
Symbolic of one's life journey and the choices made along the way. The path can be straight, leading to righteousness, or crooked, leading to destruction.

5. The City
The setting where Wisdom and Folly call out, representing the world and its myriad of choices and distractions.

Teaching Points

The Call of Wisdom vs. Folly
Both Wisdom and Folly are calling out to us daily. We must discern which voice we are heeding and ensure it aligns with God's truth.

The Importance of Discernment
As believers, we must develop discernment to recognize the seductive call of folly and choose the path of wisdom.

The Straight Path
Making our paths straight involves aligning our lives with God's Word and His righteous standards.

The Influence of Our Choices
Every decision we make can lead us closer to wisdom or folly. We must be intentional in our choices, seeking God's guidance.

The Role of Community
Surrounding ourselves with wise counsel and a community of believers can help us stay on the path of wisdom.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can we distinguish between the voices of Wisdom and Folly in our daily lives?

2. What practical steps can we take to ensure our paths remain straight and aligned with God's will?

3. In what ways can the community of believers help us in our pursuit of wisdom?

4. How does the concept of the "straight path" in Proverbs 9:15 relate to Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:13-14?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a choice between wisdom and folly. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from it?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 1:20-33
This passage also personifies Wisdom as calling out in public places, urging people to heed her voice and avoid calamity.

Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus speaks of the narrow and wide gates, paralleling the choice between the path of wisdom and the path of folly.

James 1:5
Encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

Sermons

The Tempted Ones		Proverbs 9:15
The Foolish Woman	R. Wardlaw.	Proverbs 9:13-15
The Invitation of Folly	E. Johnson	Proverbs 9:13-18
The Truth About Sin	W. Clarkson	Proverbs 9:13-18

People

Solomon

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Calling, Crying, Making, Pass, Passengers, Passers-by, Passing, Paths, Says, Straight

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Proverbs 9:13-18

5340 house

Library

The Temple of Wisdom
(Preached at Wellington College, All Saints' Day, 1866.) PROVERBS ix. 1-5. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: she hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens; she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and to him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. This allegory has been …
Charles Kingsley—Discipline and Other Sermons

The Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from their Failing to Teach Heart-Prayer --Exhortation to Pastors to Lead People Towards this Form Of
If all those who are working for the conquest of souls sought to win them by the heart, leading them first of all to prayer and to the inner life, they would see many and lasting conversions. But so long as they only address themselves to the outside, and instead of drawing people to Christ by occupying their hearts with Him, they only give them a thousand precepts for outward observances, they will see but little fruit, and that will not be lasting. When once the heart is won, other defects are …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Letter xxi (Circa A. D. 1128) to the Abbot of S. John at Chartres
To the Abbot of S. John at Chartres Bernard dissuades him from resigning his charge, and undertaking a Pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 1. As regards the matters about which you were so good as to consult so humble a person as myself, I had at first determined not to reply. Not because I had any doubt what to say, but because it seemed to me unnecessary or even presumptuous to give counsel to a man of sense and wisdom. But considering that it usually happens that the greater number of persons of sense--or …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

To Pastors and Teachers
To Pastors and Teachers If all who laboured for the conversion of others were to introduce them immediately into Prayer and the Interior Life, and make it their main design to gain and win over the heart, numberless as well as permanent conversions would certainly ensue. On the contrary, few and transient fruits must attend that labour which is confined to outward matters; such as burdening the disciple with a thousand precepts for external exercises, instead of leaving the soul to Christ by the …
Madame Guyon—A Short and Easy Method of Prayer

From his Entrance on the Ministry in 1815, to his Commission to Reside in Germany in 1820
1815.--After the long season of depression through which John Yeardley passed, as described in the last chapter, the new year of 1815 dawned with brightness upon his mind. He now at length saw his spiritual bonds loosed; and the extracts which follow describe his first offerings in the ministry in a simple and affecting manner. 1 mo. 5.--The subject of the prophet's going down to the potter's house opened so clearly on my mind in meeting this morning that I thought I could almost have publicly …
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy.

The Gospel Feast
"When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?"--John vi. 5. After these words the Evangelist adds, "And this He said to prove him, for He Himself knew what He would do." Thus, you see, our Lord had secret meanings when He spoke, and did not bring forth openly all His divine sense at once. He knew what He was about to do from the first, but He wished to lead forward His disciples, and to arrest and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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