The Banquet Invitation
Scripture Reading — Proverbs 9:1-12
Wisdom has . . . set her table. She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city, “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
Lady Wisdom has a large, solid house built with seven pillars, indicating its completeness and perfection. It’s a place to host banquets to be enjoyed by all who accept her invitation. It’s the place to learn how to live wisely, to “walk in the way of insight.” It’s the place where the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” It’s a picture we can understand better after hearing Jesus talk about banquets.
The gospels tell us that Jesus came to preach the kingdom, and in doing so he often told stories to illustrate its nature. In Matthew 22:2 Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.” In Luke 14:16 he says, “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.” Then servants were sent out just as Wisdom sends out her servants. Just as her house is large, so too God’s kingdom has room for all who are invited.
Jesus’ banquet stories include warnings about rejecting the invitations. Proverbs teaches as well that the wise person accepts the gracious invitation to “fear the Lord.” Knowledge of the Holy One will lead to understanding. The reward of kingdom citizenship is now and eternal.
Remember, you’re invited!
Gracious Host of the kingdom banquet, thank you for the invitation to include us in your plan of salvation. Empower us to live wisely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
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