Two Voices, One Crossroad
Proverbs 7 through 9 reads almost like a play with two competing characters—Wisdom and Folly—calling out from the streets, each trying to win over passersby. Wisdom builds a house, prepares a meal, and invites people in. Folly also sits at a doorway, loud and persuasive, offering something that seems easy, even exciting. The reader is placed in the position of the listener, the person on the street. Which voice will they follow?
Sounds Good... Until It Isn’t
What stands out to me is how both Wisdom and Folly sound like they’re offering something good. Wisdom promises insight and life. Folly promises pleasure and hidden sweetness. There’s no external force compelling anyone to choose either one—it’s a matter of attention, timing, and readiness. The young man in Proverbs 7, for instance, isn’t looking for trouble. He’s just walking by, and someone else’s voice catches his ear.
That image feels familiar. We don’t always realize when we’re choosing between two paths. Sometimes it’s just about who or what we’re listening to. The voice that gets our attention in the moment can shape a whole chain of decisions.
Modern Noise, Ancient Choices
There’s also something modern about this framing. Today, we’re surrounded by competing voices all the time—ads, influencers, news, social media, people we admire or fear disappointing. Some offer depth and understanding. Others offer quick fixes, approval, or escape. Both types of voices can be loud. Both can seem appealing. But they don’t lead to the same place.
So, What Does Wisdom Even Sound Like?
It makes me wonder what wisdom looks like now. If it’s calling out, what does it sound like? Is it the friend who challenges you gently? A book that doesn’t flatter you but makes you think harder? Maybe it’s the quiet sense that something will take longer but be worth it.
And what about Folly? The text describes her as brash, seductive, and unaware—but also familiar. She uses flattery, urgency, and secrecy. There’s an echo here of all the things that tell us we’ll miss out if we don’t act fast, click now, say yes immediately.
Not a One-Time Deal
None of this is framed as a one-time decision. The idea isn’t that someone is permanently wise or permanently foolish. It’s more about patterns—what we practice listening to. Wisdom, in this section, isn’t just a trait. It’s a direction, a voice you learn to recognize over time.
There aren’t easy answers in these chapters, but there is a question that lingers: Who do I let shape my choices? Not just in theory, but in the quiet moments when I scroll, when I decide how to respond to someone, or when I plan my next steps. It’s not always clear which voice is which. But it seems worth noticing who’s speaking—and why.