Reading: Some reflections

High on the Acropolis in Athens is the Erechtheum.  A significant feature of this temple dedicated to Athena and the memory of her contest with Poseidon for the allegiance of the Athenians’ hearts is the porch of the Caryatids.  The temple was built in about 400 BC.  It is one of the more intriguing spots on the Acropolis.  Each of the pillars for the roof of this porch is a carved statue of a woman.  Each of them is unique even though the ones on the near side all have the same leg moving forward and the three on the far side have the other bent forward.  Each seems to be inviting people to come to enjoy the cool shade of the porch they are providing by holding up the roof.  The statues demonstrate the skill of the artist to create something beautiful. 

Yet, one of the interesting features of this porch was that it was only accessible from the inside.  Only those who were authorized religious figures could recline in the shade.  It was an inviting place, yet was off limits.  That helps me to understand something of how Solomon’s personification of Folly can be understood.  The woman Folly has gone to the highest point of the city to call out to all the simple people, “Come to me!”  But the problem is that no one can actually do that. 

The promise could not be carried out.  The promise was instead an empty invitation.  In fact, as Solomon says, little do the simple know that the dead are there, her guests are in the depths of the grave?   As this porch beckons to us to relax in the shade, little do we know that the dead are buried there.  This porch is said to be the tomb of an ancient king of Athens. 

There is something inside of me that says that deceptiveness is something to be avoided.  I think that is what Solomon was saying as well.  For in the early part of chapter four of Proverbs, he tells us of wisdom who has also gone to the highest point of the city and called to people to come to her and so to learn how to have understanding in life.  I know this pushes the symbolism in ways that maybe no one else sees, but Solomon’s wisdom has sent out her maidens and hewn out her pillars which are seven in number.  The porch of the Caryatids has only six.  Isn’t that the way it always is with humanity?  We, in our folly, always come up short of what God desires us to be.