Two Ways

The woman named Folly is brash.

She is ignorant and doesn’t know it.

She sits in her doorway

on the heights overlooking the city.

She calls out to men going by

who are minding their own business.

“Come in with me,” she urges the simple.

To those who lack good judgment, she says,

“Stolen water is refreshing;

food eaten in secret tastes the best!”

But little do they know that the dead are there.

Her guests are in the depths of the grave. Proverbs 9:13-18

THROUGHOUT THE BOOK OF PROVERBS, the father points out to the son that there are two “ways” or “paths” open to him and that he will have to choose one or the other. One path is the way of wisdom, which leads to life in its fullest sense. God is calling out to walk this way and is with those who take this path. “He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints” (2:7-8, ESV). Those who follow this path find it straight and secure and are led to a blessed life.

The other path is the way of folly. Folly, too, calls out to all. This path is called “dark” (2:13) and “crooked” (2:15). Its dangers include evil people who take pleasure in doing wrong and hidden snares that may appear good but ultimately bring harm. Most significant, however, is this path’s destination —death and destruction. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (14:12, ESV).

When our children are small, we take hold of their hands to cross the street. As they grow, we teach them the skills to reach an agreed-upon destination. But as they mature, they begin making choices for themselves about the way they will take. And, oh, how we want them to choose the right path.

Lord, how I sometimes wish I could keep making choices for my child. I want ________ to walk in your way. I want ________ to recognize the voice of Folly with its false promises of pleasure that bring only pain. Help me to trust the power of your voice to call ________ to walk in your ways.