Verse 7 reads…
“Once I was looking out the window of my house, 7 and I saw many inexperienced young men, but noticed one foolish fellow in particular.”
Proverbs 7:6-7 GNB
The type of person specifically targeted in this chapter is a simple, naive, young man. Spiritually, he is staring down a fork in the road where one path is wisdom and the other is foolishness. The “middle ground” of being simple is not necessarily sinful, but it is a vulnerable place to be because there is little spiritual maturity. It is a place of ignorance.
I liken this to the Corinthians who Paul calls “infants” in their faith and “babies” who are not ready to be fed solid food. The Psalms and Proverbs speak extensively to the difference between wise men and fools coming down to a choice. Yes, youth and inexperience play a factor in those choices but the point of this chapter is to “turn” this young person in the direction of wisdom. By default, we are wired towards sin and without intervention, we will continue to choose folly. It always comes down to a choice.
Many of us have walked a path of foolishness in our own lives and then made the choice to turn toward Godly wisdom. It is so difficult when we see others make the same sin choices we did. This is what we find in Proverbs 7. In the world we live, it is offensive to tell someone not to do what they want. However, it’s actually hateful to watch someone go down the same path you did and NOT say something!
The Scriptures provide a path of insight for those who are standing on middle ground and wondering where to go next. It is an act of sheer grace because we are all “simple people” to the ways of God. Once a simple person begins to experience the Bible, their wisdom and knowledge of God’s ways will increase and the Holy Spirit will lead them down a path of truth.