Proverbs 9:3–6 (NKJV) — 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 5 “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

Wisdom’s invitation. Wisdom, both directly and through the delegated efforts of others (such as evangelists, pastors, teachers, witnesses), invites and actually urges people to come to her banquet. (See Matthew 22:2-4.) With such an invitation, there is no need for anyone to stay “simple” or to continue to lack understanding. But those who would gain wisdom must “turn in.” They must make the turn. (See Isaiah 55:1-3; John 6:51-63; I Corinthians 1:24, 30).

Only those who have wisdom really live. Anything else is a living death. It is mere existence. To live spiritually, a person must forsake something, namely spiritual foolishness. It is not merely a matter of forsaking, however. There is no place for inactivity or stagnation. After forsaking, we must go. We must pursue wisdom. Understanding is a way of life.

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