Solomon’s Salt
Proverbs has MUCH to say about foolishness and being a fool. A fool’s characteristics are sprinkled like salt throughout the proverbs as the king instructs his prince. Salt is a preservative and Solomon is desperately trying to preserve the lives of his prodigy. King Solomon has failed in many ways to be an example of wisdom though he knows what wisdom is! He asks the question twice, “Is a proverb (a short pithy saying in general use stating a general truth or piece of advice) in the mouth of fools?” The answer to this question is a resounding, “yes!” He also tells his children, “there is more hope for a fool than for a man wise in his own eyes.” Was Solomon preaching to self? I think so.
Kasia from Warszawa (Warsaw), Polska (Poland) / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
Fool’s Test
Slothfulness is foolish. There is no room for laziness in the kingdom.
So, exactly how can I tell if I am a fool? Yes, let’s start at our own doorstep.
A fool despises wisdom and instruction and hates knowledge. They are greedy. Shame is their legacy. A fool spreads lies, gossip, slander, sarcasm,and their mouths are full of pride and venting. Yes, there it is again, what is in the heart comes pouring out of the mouth. (Proverbs 12:14, Matthew 15:18-20) My mom would say “they have diarrhea of the mouth, because they love to hear themselves talk.” Fools hate even a father’s correction and despise their mother. This causes great grief and bitterness to parents. Fools refuse to listen. In fact, the way to pick out a fool in a crowd is by just listening to what is said and the tone of the conversation.
Fools tend to repeat mistakes instead of learning from them and they generally are angry. Fools hurt others by their words and deeds and do not give a flying flip.
Proverbs 26 reminds us of all of these things Solomon has been saying and connects foolishness to the abominations of the heart we are taught in Proverbs 6:16-19. The sins we all find ourselves guilty of at one time or another. (Proverbs 26:24-28)
Foolishness is when we think we are in control, large and in charge, should have the last word, and think we are smarter than everyone else. We trust our own heart.
Fool’s Corrections
Proverbs are practical! Wise folk want to learn.
Foolishness can be cured: Walk wisely. Listen much and speak less. Fear the LORD. Honor your father and mother. Accept correction. Put others before yourself. If you are a parent DISCIPLINE (the Word says to use the rod). This is the prescription.
God’s word is clear. “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness ….” Proverbs 2:10-13.
Listen to the words and rejoice
God uses even our foolishness for His glory and our good! Take a good look at how He has used even the worst of your foolishness. Then thank Him for His grace and mercy! We owe Him our lives!
II Chronicles 7:14 IF My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, THEN I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land.
It begins with me! Father forgive and redeem, this is my prayer………….
