# 474 The Proverbs – ‘A manual for living’ (MSG). Proverbs 26 (1). Being ‘habitually out of touch with reality.’ (# 51)

In my Introduction to Proverbs (see Posts # 399-401) we considered two key words used in Proverbs describing people. They are the “wise” and the “fools.” Below is a quote from that Post:

Let’s start with the wise. Simply, it applies to those who have learned and possess the attribute called “wisdom” …

And now, the more slightly controversial word, fool, which we will discover is simply the opposite of being wise. The word then used for the activities of such people is “folly”, meaning “lack of good sense; foolishness.”

The first use in Proverbs is in 1:7 as follows:The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Now, believe it or not, it is then used another 71 times in the Book of Proverbs alone, and another 110 times in the rest of the Bible. 

Timothy Keller suggests that “In Proverbs… fools are people so habitually out of touch with reality that they make life miserable for themselves and all around them… [people who] sow and reap discord and destruction… the ultimate foolishness [being] … to make anything the center of our lives besides God… Jesus describes the ‘foolish man’ whose home [i.e., ‘life’] is built on sand instead of on the solid rock of Christ’s word and wisdom (Matthew 7:24-26).” (# 51)

So, why are we back to this subject? Because Chapter 26 presents us again with a focus on the “fool” and his/her ways and words. The aim being to steer us away from being influenced by them and living a life that is “habitually out of touch with reality.”  A life that “makes life miserable for themselves and all around them… [people who] sow and reap discord and destruction.” And, if I am right, none of us wants that, do we?

So, we shall now note the following verses that speak of the “fool” and his/her ways. Nielson suggests that “these verses instruct in dealing with fools … in two ways. First, these verses instruct in what is fitting for a fool.” (# 55) So, verse 1 states that,

Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.

Goldsworthy comments: “The perceptible order in nature cannot be reversed without serious consequences. The incongruity of unseasonable weather illustrates that of honouring the fool.” (# 53)

Neilson then asks the question, “’Fitting’ according to what?” She answers that Proverbs “assumes a creational order instituted by God (which resonates with mention of the seasons), disrupted by sin, but still evident all around us and specifically revealed in God’s word. Something “fitting” resonates with God’s good order… For a fool to receive honor is not fitting, for the fool does not honor the Lord. He is out of order. Giving honor to a fool is like fastening a stone inside a sling instead of slinging it out [as it says in verse 8 below].”  (# 55)

 ⁸ Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.

This illustrating just how absurd it is to give honor to a fool, and yet, as we consider our culture, just how often have we done this, for reasons such as the “fools” position in society (in politics, business, etc) or their wealth or celebrity status.

So, I guess the question is, what then is fitting for a fool? Well, as usual, Proverbs does not “mince it’s words” and so speaks directly and frankly concerning this. It says:

 ³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the backs of fools!

Ouch! “In other words, punishment is fitting for him, for he refuses instruction or reproof. To disregard what fits a fool is to bring harm.” (# 55) Some examples of harm caused by a fool are dramatically mentioned as:

⁶ Sending a message by the hands of a fool
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

Or even:

¹⁰ Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.

Nielson then writes concerning the second instruction in chapter 26 when dealing with fools as “how to talk (or not talk) to a fool…” (# 55)

We then read verses 4-5 which “are famous for their seeming contradiction” (# 55). They say:

⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.
⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.

Goldsworthy comments that these two verses taken together “display the important principle that Proverbs are not timeless general rules… Life is full of both kinds of situations, and these two sayings remind us that there is no clear-cut response. We must assess each situation carefully and decide whether to engage the fool, in order to refute his folly, or disengage from his company, so as to avoid being caught up in his folly.” (# 53) For this, we need wisdom and James 1:5 says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

And so, the writer of Proverbs continues with what Nielson calls words that are “violent and fiery, full of imagery that wakes us up to the power of words issuing from an evil heart.” (# 55) Consider the following carefully:

⁷ Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
⁹ Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
¹¹ As a dog returns to its vomit,
    so fools repeat their folly.

As tough as all this sounds, the truth is that even a “fool” (which, I guess, most of us have been at various times in our lives) has hope if they seek the Lord, receive his mercy and grace and return to the truth of Proverbs 3:5-7

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.

This last verse being particularly relevant to 26:12 which says:

¹² Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.