A Difficult Choice

Proverbs 9:4 (BES) Whoso is foolish, let him turn aside to me: and to them that want understanding she says,

The LXX here uses “foolish” compared to the “naive” of the NASB and the “simple” of the KJV.  It is a condition that most of us suffer from when we’re talking about the wisdom of God.

What struck me here is the fact that in our present condition, whichever of these words you choose, we still have to make decisions.  Further down in the chapter you have evil making the same invitation.  Again, the choice is offered to people.  One of the things that I noticed reading in the Old Testament is this matter of choice is very clear.  Contrary to the understanding that we have in some traditional theology, we have choices.  We decide which way we want to go.  God responds to our decision, but He doesn’t force it on us.

So?  Choices start in every day decisions.  Our motivation and our priorities decide which way we go.  Ultimately we have to decide and make a choice on whether we are going to respond to the offer salvation found in Jesus Christ.  God’s grace is waiting for our decision.