Mishley / Proverbs 9:1-4
9:1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 9:2 She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; 9:3 She has sent out her maidens, she calls From the tops of the heights of the city: 9:4 ‘Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!’ To him who lacks understanding she says, 9:5 ‘Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. (NASB)
Reading these verses from Mishley / Proverbs 9, have you ever wondered why wisdom is referred in the feminine sense and what it means to drink mixed wine? The Concise Oxfords Thesaurus says “wisdom” is synonymous with “intelligence, sense, common sense, shrewdness, astuteness, smartness, judiciousness, judgment, prudence, circumspection; logic, rationale, rationality, soundness, advisability.” Wisdom is described as nurturing, causing growth spiritually, growth in this natural world, and enhances safety and stability in our lives. The reason “wisdom” is written as feminine in our English bible is because it is written in the feminine sense in the Hebrew bible. The description of “wisdom” in the bible is that of having qualities that are traditionally associated with women such as that of being nurturing and gentle. In other occurrences of the word, wisdom is described as being precious (Mishley / Proverbs 2:1-10), having prettiness, something to be acquired that is very highly valued. If we think of wisdom in terms of the family unit, wisdom is a feminine quality that completes a man as God had designed the husband and wife relationship, Eve was taken from Adam’s rib, where the two shall become one. When “wisdom” is described in terms having feminine quality, we find a consistency in the way in which God has created things to be both physically and spiritually.
The concept of mixing wine can be understood as letting wine breath, allowing a wine’s exposure to the surrounding air. By allowing wine to mix and mingle with air, the aroma and taste of the wine will open up, the flavor of the profile will soften and mellow out a bit and the overall flavor characteristics will improve. Fresh wines benefit from this the most allowing for a much better and enjoyable taste. A connection to God is made as Solomon describes wisdom having “built her house” and having “hewn out her seven pillars.” The seven pillars are analogous to the menorah, the seven golden candle sticks and the house is the place that one draws near to the Lord. In wisdom one seeks the counsel of God drawing near to Him in His holy place. The eating and drinking of food and wine in 9:5 is synonymous with one internalizing wisdom and its teachings making it a part of who you are. Remember how Yeshua said in John 6:54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day,” He was describing that if one internalizes His teachings and places their faith in Him, He will raise him up on the last day. The consumption of wisdom’s food and drink suggests that wisdom will nourish your soul and change you from the inside out, this is exactly what happens when we place our faith in God and His Messiah Yeshua. In addition to this, if we think about it, wisdom’s food and drink shows a parallel with Yeshua’s word that we do not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Father in Matthew 4:4. Praise the Lord, can you see how consistent God’s word is? Truly truly, 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 9:11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. (NASB)
