“A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid anyone who talks too much.”

Avoidance, the way of wisdom. It is written to protect the traveler, to bring one through their journey to Wisdom’s house unscathed. We will meet many kinds of people during our days, and trust is a valuable commodity that leads straight to our treasure rooms. The gossip, one of the 5 members of Folly’s house, will betray those who seek passage through the lands of this life. They will betray that trust, your confidence, and leave your treasures to the birds who will rob you blind. This proverb stands as another warning sign to passersby, much like a deer crossing sign, or a falling rocks sign on the road, but with a bit more prejudice. Watch out! Don’t trust them! Protect yourself!

This way of wisdom explains so much of our philosophy of success. It is much like a protective father to his daughter who is of marrying age. He wants her to find a man who will love, cherish, and protect her all the days of her life. Or like advice from a leadership manual which teaches people who to allow on your team and who to not. Or even a health coach on which foods to eat and which to avoid. A business owner/entrepreneur on what is a good or poor investment. The road to Wisdom’s house is the road to success emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. And its fulfillment reveals the power of the Gospel.

When we thought of how Jesus fulfilled this proverb, our philosophy of success, we saw how Jesus invaded Folly’s house. We looked at who He ministered to and those He allowed on His team. Peter fit the bill of the gossip/talebearer, one who talked too much and betrayed Jesus. He could also be seen as the violent man, but I think that role belonged to Barabbas.  Judas Iscariot, the perverse man, who let his greed guide his actions and betrayed Jesus. Nathanael, the sluggard, who was found lying beneath a fig tree but not found later beneath the cross. Levi and other tax collectors, the scoundrel.  Prostitutes, lepers, and the demon-possessed finish out the inhabitants of Folly’s house and others of whom it was taught to avoid.

Jesus’ life consequentially doesn’t fit our understanding of success, but He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, John 14:6. When we read of what happened to those He discipled and how they suffered after Jesus’ resurrection we witness the power of His redemption, His Kingdom, Hebrews 11:35-38. 1 & 2 Peter tell us of the impact Jesus had on a gossip, even a violent man. The path to Wisdom’s House that Jesus fulfilled opened the way for those at Folly’s House to be redeemed, healed, and made into new creations, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for invading Folly’s house and setting the captives free! Thank You for Your death and resurrection which gives us new life free from the wages of sin and death! Thank You for coming again to bring us to the Father! Come, Lord Jesus, come! Revelation 22:20.