Wisdom and foolishness are portrayed as women in Proverbs 9. This particular chapter sets them in juxtaposition to one another as an illustration of their exact relation in real life. They are juxtaposed.
In Proverbs 9:1-6 we have a clear picture of wisdom, how “she” operates, what “she” has done, etc.
"1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; 2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. 3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, 4 "Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in here!" [As for] him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 5 "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. 6 Forsake foolishness and live And go in the way of understanding.”
Upon examination, we determine that wisdom is prepared. It has been said and it is true that God always gives us what we need before we need it. God is a god of preparation. He prepares and expects us to prepare in every way that we are able. She cries out from the highest places of the city - which means that 1. she is in the highest places of the city and 2. she is not hidden but highly visible and therefore available to all. To receive wisdom from God, one only need to turn from his current path and enter into the house of God. It is free to all who would take it. There are no monetary costs attached, nor are there any requirements beyond seeking the wisdom of God. The wisdom of God also employs servants who exhibit an interest in serving. This action implies self-assurance and love. These “maidens” are sent out to gather anyone in need of the wisdom of God just in case someone who is in need does not hear the voice of wisdom crying out. Further, wisdom is not threatened by others knowing what it knows, for there is more than enough for all. Wisdom offers a very specific solution and result to those who are in lack. She says that anyone who is simple- or unskilled as it were- may receive freely from her and once they do, they will live, and they will no longer be foolish but gain understanding. These are promises made by God to anyone who says that they do not understand right and wrong, that they do not understand the Word of God or how to behave.
Stationed contrarily to wisdom is foolishness. Proverbs 9:13-18 provides the tell-tale signs of the mechanism of foolishness:
"13 A foolish woman is clamorous; [She is] simple and knows nothing. 14 For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat [by] the highest places of the city, 15 To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: 16 "Whoever [is] simple, let him turn in here"; And [as for] him who lacks understanding, she says to him, 17 "Stolen water is sweet, And bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant." 18 But he does not know that the dead [are] there, [That] her guests [are] in the depths of hell.”
Here there is insight into foolishness and the outstanding feature of foolishness is that it sloppily attempts to imitate wisdom. Such is the way of natural man. The thoughts and ways of the foolish exist on a lower plain than those of wisdom. They are ruled by pride and influenced by the sway of the wicked one.
Foolishness presents itself and its ideas in a loud tone. The reason for this is to veil the fact that it is simple itself and knows nothing. As well, it is not pervasive enough to be effective throughout all life and therefore is restricted to its own domicile. The symbolism is that foolishness speaks from its “own doorstep”… or its own life experience instead of taking the truth presented by God’s Word and discovering how its own life reflects that. Its intention is to be recognized as opposed to actually offering a solution and thus can only appear to be in the highest places. This is one indicator that the enemy holds influence over the foolish, natural mind. For it is written that satan said to himself that “ {he} would be like the Most High” {Isa. 14:14}. As opposed to wisdom, foolishness lies in wait for those who pass by. This further demonstrates the fact that foolishness is in an exact location, down a particular path. That if one were to avoid that path, then they would avoid foolishness all together. As well, foolishness identifies those who lack understanding and only speaks to them in contrast to wisdom who allows the simple to identify themselves and, of their own freewill humbly accept wisdom. Once foolishness has the ear of the simple, then it begins to manipulate sin into "reasonable" understandings. It appeals to the natural man by identifying physical desires and offering a sinful solution to meeting those desires. This ploy suggests that the natural man is drawn into sin by false fronts but no promise of sustained satisfaction.
In conclusion, God has made it easy and worthwhile to receive and walk in the wisdom that He gives. But foolishness and simplicity is a choice that is not pervasive with no escape. No it is more hidden and less accessible than the wisdom of God and therefore must be sought after on purpose. God has made His wisdom obvious and free to all who would forsake foolishness! In this way, God demonstrates that wisdom is like the salvation we find with God- it requires no effort of our own to sustain life and be changed- We just have to choose!
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