I’ve been reading through Proverbs with the help of Today in the Word by Russell Meek and some commentaries.
Scriptures like: Psalm 53:1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!
The word “fool” occurs about 100 times and then if you add variations almost double that.
Word Origin: Derived from the root כָּסַל (kasal), meaning “to be foolish” or “to be stupid.”
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: – G3474 (μωρός, mōros): Often translated as “foolish” in the New Testament, used in a similar moral and spiritual sense as “kesil.”
Usage: The Hebrew word “kesil” is used to describe a person who is foolish, lacking in wisdom, or morally deficient. In the biblical context, a “kesil” is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but rather someone who rejects wisdom and instruction, often leading to moral and spiritual failure. The term is frequently used in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, to contrast the wise and the foolish.
Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, wisdom was highly valued and considered a divine gift. Where do people go for wisdom today – Google, ChatGPT, TikTok, Reddit
The “kesil” is often portrayed as the antithesis of the wise person, who fears the Lord and follows His commandments. The foolish person is seen as one who is self-reliant, dismissive of God’s guidance, and prone to making poor decisions that lead to ruin. This concept of foolishness is not just intellectual, but deeply moral and spiritual, reflecting a heart that is turned away from God. Word of Wisdom, Wisdom in the multitude of counselors .https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3684.htm
Scriptures like:
- Psalm 53:1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!
- Proverbs 29:11 Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
- Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.
- Proverbs 14:1 A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
- Proverbs 19:13a A foolish child is a calamity to a father;
Proverbs is filled with Godly wisdom. One verse after another, it kind of takes your breath away! Relative for today!
James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. God’s wisdom counters our foolishness!
The one that I’m addressing today was from this week’s reading:
Proverbs 18: 2 Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
Culturally, Spiritually, Politically…
This may mean…
- That he takes no pleasure in the wisdom of others, is self-opinionated;
- “A man of no sense has no need of wisdom.”
- To try to teach a fool is to cast pearls before swine, and to give that which is holy unto dogs.
- His only delight is in revealing his heart, displaying his un-wisdom and his foolish thoughts,
- He thinks that he is showing himself superior to others, and benefiting the world at large.
Barnes Notes on the Bible: Another form of egotism. In “understanding,” i. e., self-knowledge, the “fool” finds no pleasure; but self-assertion, talking about himself and his own opinions, is his highest joy. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/proverbs/18.htm
Romans 12:3-8 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your a faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, b do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Whether you’re engaging with others face to face voice to voice or on social media platforms, you will recognize that there are those who think that they have the best opinions and want everyone else to know it. “They are thinking more highly of themselves than they ought. Our foolishness has proliferated because technology has given us more mediums to express ourselves.
The power of the Book of Proverbs is that it demonstrates to us that there are two paths in life, the path of folly and the path of wisdom. Solomon knew all too well that when God asked him what he wanted, he sought wisdom above all things.
We can see that repeatedly humility is what marks the path of wisdom because humility acknowledges what God says about us is true.
- We are needy
- We don’t know everything
- We don’t have everything
- We cannot possibly save our lives.
In Proverbs 18:2 it’s obvious that the fool is in opposition to humility. rather than seeking out understanding, “they only want to air their own opinions.”
Just in Proverbs chapter 18 you will find extensive advice on what not to say:
- Proverbs 18:6 Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
- 2 Timothy 2:23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
- Proverbs 18:7 The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble.
- Proverbs 18:8 Rumors/Gossip are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.
Fools are much more interested in being heard; they’re much more concerned with being heard than listening.
Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher. He said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
James 3:9-10 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
I find it distasteful when someone comes under the guise of investigative journalism and publicly discusses private church matters and sensitive details which then solicit an emotional outcry, sow further discord and damage the body of Christ.
Quote from the site Truth and Fire, “Even as the information might be factual, it is often unconfirmed, one-sided and is mostly meant to be slanderous. The gossip feeds to others the “juicy” details of private matters, usually with the goal of smearing the name and reputation of the subjects of their tale. They might even disguise their evil deeds as being a service to the public or to the Church.
- Proverbs 18:4 A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.
- Proverbs 18:20 Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction.
- Proverbs 18:20-21 You will have to live with the consequences of everything you say. What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.
- Proverbs 18:17 Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight.
The Bible also teaches the importance of listening to others as a means of fostering understanding and community. James 1:19 advises, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” . This counsel highlights the virtue of patience and the importance of prioritizing listening over speaking, which can prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.
In the book of Proverbs, listening is associated with wisdom and discernment. Proverbs 18:13 warns, “He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him” . This proverb underscores the foolishness of forming judgments without fully understanding the situation, emphasizing the need for attentive listening.
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.
Mark 12:30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not the world’s weapons but God’s powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; 5 we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.
Matthew 12:34b For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Our heart is the seat of our intellect, will, and emotions.
My dichotomy of mercy and justice… Think about your words today. consider your use of social media and how you interact with people face to face. Do you seek understanding in those conversations, or are you more interested in making sure others know what you think?
Psalm 51:10-11 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
I love songs of the heart for the heart. Change My Heart O God written by Eddie Espinosa
“The year was 1982. I had been a Christian since 1969, but I saw a lot of things in my life that needed to be discarded. I had slowly become very complacent. I acknowledged my complacency, and I prayed to the Lord, ‘The only way that I can follow you is for you to change my appetite, the things that draw me away. You must change my heart!'” And then he penned these words…
Change my heart, O God, Make it ever true; Change my heart, O God, May I be like you. You are the Potter, I am the clay; Mold me and make me, This is what I pray.
Clarion Call by Barbara Karpouzian 