The Strange Woman

Suppose that I wrote about bluebirds. I could tell you that they’re larger than a wren and smaller than a robin, of their habit of returning to the same nest year after year, and of their charming tendency to work together like a happily married couple. I could tell you of their desirability and habitat, and I could cause you to want a pair in your own yard, and give you some hints on how you may be able to attract them.

Regardless of how much you learned about the bluebird, that wouldn’t mean that you had a pair, or that you had ever even seen one. So it is with wisdom.

We seem to have embraced the idea that the Biblical book of Proverbs is wisdom, and that if we can only read enough of it, we’ll be wise. Mmm, no. Proverbs tells us quite a lot about wisdom—where to find it and where it can’t be found; what it looks like and doesn’t look like; how to recognize someone who does or doesn’t have it; how completely superior it is to any monetary or social gain—but it isn’t wisdom. Only the Lord knows the path to wisdom, and unless He takes you down that road, you will never be wise.

While you are on the road, however, there are always two women calling out. Wisdom is personified as one of these women; the other woman is called "the strange woman." Who is she?

Until last night, I never gave her much thought, but I believe I can tell you now who she is. Before I do, I’d like to tell you a little more about her. This woman, like wisdom, is in the streets, crying out to the simple ones—the ignorant ones who haven’t learned. While this isn’t said in Proverbs, I believe both women are crying out loudest to those who have experienced pain (do you know anyone like that?). Most pain, like it or not, is the result of our own ignorance. So wisdom and this strange woman are crying out to the ignorant. Both have a "solution" to the pain.

Wisdom has a real solution. She’s crying out for the simple one to get instruction and to become wise. In other words, take some time to consider what just happened. Learn from it! Feel your pain, and let it teach you! Understand cause and effect, examine your own motives, and open your heart to the Lord so He can give you insight!

But the strange woman has another solution to the pain. Let’s go off in pursuit of pleasure, she invites. It’s OK. No one will know. You won’t ever have to remember your painful experience. Bury it in blame-placing or criticism; in food or fun; in books or music or television or movies; in drugs, sex, or alcohol; or in pursuit of wealth or fame.

The path of Addictions leads to destruction, and those who pursue her will never be wise.

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