Who is the Fool?

The term ‘fool’ is defined in a variety of ways in Proverbs.  The simple, the fool and the scoffer.  

 The Simple.   This is the person who is lazy in thought.  He is mentally naive.  He is irresponsible, gullible and silly.  He has an indifferent self-sufficiency about himself. 

Proverbs 14:15 says ‘The naive believes everything, but the prudent man considers his steps’.   This verse is the perfect contrast between the gullible and the discerning person.  Proverbs 15:21 says ‘Folly is joy to him who lacks sense’.  Naivety is FUN to the simple. 

The classic ‘simple’ one is found in Proverbs 7, where the harlot is looking out her window and sees the ‘naive’ youth - a young man lacking sense.  By the end of the chapter an arrow has pierced through his liver.   The example shows us the serious and perilous condition in which the simple person tragically finds himself.  A ‘simple’ (gullible, lazy, irresponsible) person could be changed from his foolish condition if he pays heed to instruction and turns from his willful laziness.    (Proverbs 14:18 - the prudent are crowned with knowledge)  But often, a ‘simple’ person remains in his foolish condition because he prefers to reject discipline and wisdom.  They remain that way if they don’t develop discernment (Proverbs 22:3 - The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, but the naive go on, and are punished for it).    More on the 'fool' and the 'scoffer' in future posts.  

Why Study the Book of Proverbs - Part 2

In addition to 'knowing wisdom and instruction', 'obtaining understanding', and 'gaining prudence', there are four more good reasons to study the book of Proverbs.  They are:

4).  To acquire knowledge 

Knowledge. The Hebrew root comes from ‘skill’ (yada).  When Esau grew up, he became a ‘skillful’ (yada) hunter (Genesis 25:27).  He was skillful, or ‘knowledgeable’ in his work.   Similarly, when an evil spirit was terrorizing Saul (1 Samuel 16:15-16), the people were seeking a man who was ‘skillful’  (yada) on the harp.  “Then one of the young men said, ‘Behold I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful (yada) musician...”  (1 Samuel 16:18)

5).  To get discretion

Discretion.  The ability to scheme, devise and execute a plan of action based on a proper understanding of a matter.   This is a characteristic that is generally lacking in young Christians.  Discretion is developed by a steady diet of the Word of God. 

6).  To increase in learning

Learning. Comes from the word to seize, to grasp, to acquire, to buy, to take.  When the mind begins to ‘grasp’ something, then we are increasing in learning. 

7).  To acquire wise counsel 

Counsel. Direction, wise guidance.  If we are to be steered in the right paths in life, wise guidance and ‘counsel’ is very important. 

Now, a wise man will seek after these things.   The fool?  The next posts will deal with the fool.  

Why Study the Book of Proverbs - Part 1

Why study the book of Proverbs?    The first verses of the first chapter give several good reasons, here are the first three:

1).  To know wisdom and instruction 

Wisdom.   Wisdom is defined as ‘skill in living’.  

Instruction.   The meaning is to teach by discipline, as a parent disciplines a child in order to produce a fruit of righteousness.

2).  To obtain understanding

Understanding.  Careful consideration.  Ability to grasp with insight.  Has the idea from the original language of ‘to bereave’ or ‘to miscarry’.   The sayings of bereavement might not exactly express the thought, but it conveys the idea of learning through the unhappy experiences of others, or of oneself.

3).  To gain prudence

Prudence. The word actually means ‘crafty’.  It’s Hebrew root word was used describing Satan in Genesis 3:1.   Shrewd, cunning.   We are to be ‘Wise as serpents...’ (Matthew 10:16).  To have ‘prudence’ would be to have the ability to detect craftiness in others.  Prudent people are able to think through complicated matters and make wise decisions about them. 

  1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

  2 To know wisdom and instruction,

To discern the sayings of understanding,

  3 To receive instruction in wise behavior,

Righteousness, justice and equity;

  4 To give prudence to the naive,

To the youth knowledge and discretion,

  5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

  6 To understand a proverb and a figure,

The words of the wise and their riddles.

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

More next time!  

An Introductory Look at Proverbs

In coming weeks, I'll be posting some of my notes from my study in Proverbs.  The commentaries I'm looking at include works by Charles Bridges, Warren Wiersbe, Derek Kidner, H.A. Ironside and other miscellaneous sources.   Here are some introductory notes that I'll be eventually sharing in my Sunday School class:

Although there are many subthemes, the main theme of the book of Proverbs is 'being wise'.  Gaining wisdom vs. remaining foolish. 

Wisdom - means being skillful in one’s relationships and responsibilities... observing and following   the Creator’s principles of order in the moral universe. 

Who wrote the book of Proverbs (and when)?   

• Solomon is credited with creating and compiling most of the Proverbs (1:1; 10:1).  
• Agur and Lemuel also wrote Proverbs 30 and 31 respectively. 
• Approximately 971 to 686 B.C.

What is a proverb?   An online dictionary defines a proverb to be “a wise saying or precept; a didactic sentence”.  Pastor and teacher Dr. John MacArthur defines proverbs as “simple, moral statements or illustrations that highlight and teach fundamental truths and tendencies in life”.

Why study the book of Proverbs?    The first verses of the first chapter give several good reasons.   I will look at those in the coming days.  

Just Enough

How much money do we want?  How much do we need?  Finances seem to be the endless topic of discussion in these days of economic uncertainty.  As I study through Proverbs, there are many passages that deal with money.  Most of them are common sense instructions, like being generous (11:24-24), avoiding dishonest gain (13:11), not being greedy (15:27)... and others like them.

The Christian life is often characterized by balance.  Too much of something in one direction can have a bad effect.  Too little of something also can have a bad effect.  Extremes in either direction can be devastating!  And so it is with money or possessions.  Check out what the writer of Proverbs says in chapter 30:8-9:  "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, lest I be full and deny Thee and say 'Who is the Lord?'  Or lest I be in want and steal and profane the name of my God".   That's balance!

How much money do we want?  How much do we need?  Just enough.

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

A very common passage in Proverbs - quoted very often - is Proverbs 3:5-6.  Say it with me class: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight".   Most Christians know it.  Most Christians have it memorized.  Most of us can say it without thinking.  But maybe that is a problem - saying it without thinking.   I was convicted pretty harshly when I read what Charles Bridges had to say about this passage.

Listen to what this great man of God says:  "It is nothing less than self-idolatry to conceive that we can carry on even the most ordinary matters of the day without [God's] counsel.  He loves to be consulted.  Therefore take all thy difficulties to be resolved by Him.  Be in the habit of going to Him in the first place - before self-will, self-pleasing, self-wisdom, human friends, convenience, expediency.  Before any of these have been consulted, go to God at once.  Consider no circumstance to clear to need His direction".    Wow.   That gives a fresh new meaning to 'in all your ways acknowledge Him'.

Is Wisdom Obtainable?

"A penny saved is a penny earned".   Now there's some wisdom we can all live by, especially in these rough economic days.   I am studying the book of Proverbs, and the writer of the book has some other bits of wisdom we could certainly use, whether the economy is booming or not.   Wisdom for young people, wisdom for 'seasoned' people.   Wisdom for decisions in money, relationships and parenting.  But how do we obtain this wisdom?

1).   Seek wisdom.    Proverbs 2:3 tells us to seek after wisdom as we would seek after silver and hidden treasures.  If I had a valuable coin and I lost it, I would look high and low for it. I would be on a non-stop mission to find it.  I wouldn't stop until it was found.  So should we search for wisdom.   Asking God for wisdom (James 1:5) is part of that seeking.
2).  Give attention to wisdom.   Proverbs 2:2 and 4:1 indicates that we need to 'make our ears attentive' and 'give attention to' the words of wisdom.  That means listening, hearing, understanding, watching.
3).  Love wisdom.  Proverbs 4:6.  Would we give attention to wisdom... would we seek wisdom... if we did not develop and cultivate a love for it?  It makes sense if we love wisdom, we will pursue hard after it.
4).  Prize wisdom.  Treasure it.  Proverbs 4:8. Similar to loving wisdom, those who highly esteem wisdom will most certainly obtain it.  

The God of wisdom is ready and willing to grant wisdom to those who incline their ears to understanding, to those who are diligent in their seeking, to those who love, prize and treasure this unspeakable gift.

Words

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise. - Proverbs 10:19

He who restrains his words has knowledge,
And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. - Proverbs 17:27

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. - Proverbs 29:20

Its tough to control our tongue. In fact, James says that no man can bridle the tongue. Here are some thought provoking questions though that may help us with our words:
1). Do my words serve my own interests?
2). Do my words acknowledge the interests of others?
3). Are my words calculated to make me look good?
4). Do my words magnify Christ?
5). Are my words characterized by grumbling and complaining?
6). Are my words filled with thanksgiving and praise?
7). Are my words going to tear someone down?
8). Are my words going to build someone up?
9). Do my words adjust the truth?
10). Am I speaking the truth in love?

A Calculated, Planned Act of Kindness

A few days ago, I witnessed what I called a 'random act of kindness'. Last night my family was on the receiving end of a 'calculated, planned act of kindness'. A few years ago I met a man who was going through some difficult life struggles. Through many circumstances and Christian friends, he was able to get his feet back on the ground and seems to be enjoying the blessings of God in his life as he walks in obedience to what he is learning from the Word. There is a stability that I see in his life that he seemed to lack when we first met. I don't know exactly how God used us in his life during these last few years... but he showed up on our porch last night and surprised us with a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. He'd taken time out of his busy schedule to minister to us and to be a blessing to our family. Of course we welcomed him to come in and join us for dinner. We ate well and had dessert and shared a few laughs and talked about what the Lord is doing in our respective lives. This was no random act of kindness. Our friend carefully planned how he was going to surprise us with a meal. We appreciated this kind of thoughtfulness, and I am reminded of Proverbs 19:22 - What is desired in a man is his kindness...

Stupidity

Lately on the blog, we've been trying to avoid being useless, unfruitful, blind, short-sighted and forgetful. Today we're trying to avoid being STUPID. Nobody wants to be accused of being stupid.

We try to teach our kids not even to say the word because it doesn't sound dignified coming out of little children. It sounds even worse coming from an adult. But of course context matters. There are times when we must use the word. The word actually occurs in scripture and you can probably guess where... Proverbs. In Proverbs 12:1 we read "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid". My boys memorized that verse in about 9 seconds... because they knew they could use that word 'stupid' without getting in trouble, because they were quoting scripture!

But what is that verse telling us? The love of discipline and correction leads to knowledge! But the one who despises correction is.... everybody say it now... STUPID!

Loving correction, discipline and reproof is not easy... but leads us out of stupidity.