The Folly Of The Fool

INTRODUCTION

The goal of Proverbs is to impart wisdom...

To know wisdom and instruction -

Proverbs 1:1–2 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2  To know wisdom and instruction; To perceive the words of understanding;

To receive the instruction of wisdom

Proverbs 1:3  To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, and judgment, and equity;

One way to learn about something is to consider its opposite...

Want to understand what is wisdom? Then know what is folly!

Want to be wise? Then don't be a fool!

[In studying the wisdom of Proverbs, then, we learn much about "The Folly Of The Fool." Exactly what is a fool...?]

THE FOOL DEFINED

THE WORD…

'eviyl; it appears primarily in wisdom literature - Vine’s

An adjective meaning foolish in the sense of one who hate wisdom and walks in folly, despising wisdom and morality - TCWD

A fool thus despises wisdom and walks in folly

DEFINED FURTHER…

The word is used in Scripture with respect to moral more than to intellectual deficiencies - Unger's Bible Dictionary, p. 375

The 'fool' is not so much lacking in mental powers, as one who misuses them... - ibid.

In Scripture the 'fool'...is the person who casts off the fear of God, and thinks and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal principles of God's righteousness - ibid. --

A fool thus chooses to disregard God and His wisdom

[To help us to further understand "The Folly Of The Fool," let's now consider...]

THE FOOL DESCRIBED

ONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIMSELF...

In his own eyes, he can do no wrong

Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes:

But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Foolishly, he trusts in his own heart

Proverbs 28:26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Thus we should trust in the Lord, not lean on our own understanding

Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

And lean not unto thine own understanding.

6  In all thy ways acknowledge him,

And he shall direct thy paths.

ONE WHO IS DEAF TO INSTRUCTION…

Fools despise wisdom and instruction

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Even the instruction from one's father

Proverbs 15:5 A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: But he that regardeth reproof is prudent.

Thus fools die for lack of wisdom

Proverbs 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: But fools die for want of wisdom.

A fool cares only to tell others what he knows

Proverbs 18:2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, But that his heart may discover itself.

For a fool thinks he knows every thing

Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him.

What fools know is soon known by all

Proverbs 14:33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: But that which is in the midst of fools is made known.

Their foolishness becomes apparent to all

Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: But a fool layeth open his folly.

Therefore we waste energy in trying to share wisdom with a fool

Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

ONE WHO CANNOT BE DISCIPLINED…

Fools are destined for much punishment

Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, And stripes for the back of fools.

Proverbs 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the fool’s back.

Yet they are unlikely to learn from attempts to correct them

Proverbs 17:10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man, Than an hundred stripes into a fool.

Such hatred of correction is the height of folly

Proverbs 12:1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: But he that hateth reproof is brutish.

Trying to correct a fool is folly within itself

Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: But the instruction of fools is folly.

ONE WHO IS IMPULSIVE…

A fool is one who vents all his feelings

Proverbs 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: But a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

His wrath is soon known

Proverbs 12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: But a prudent man covereth shame.

His impulsiveness makes his folly worse

Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

ONE WHO COMMITS EVIL...

Evil is like sport to a fool

Proverbs 10:23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: But a man of understanding hath wisdom.

They even make fun of sin

Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: But among the righteous there is favour.

Thus it is difficult to get fools to depart from evil

Proverbs 14:16 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: But the fool rageth, and is confident.

ONE WHO IS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGEABLE...

Despite the most extreme efforts to rehabilitate him

Proverbs 27:22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

Because he considers it an abomination to depart from evil

Proverbs 13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: But it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

Truly a fool is like a dog that returns to his own vomit

Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, So a fool returneth to his folly.

CONCLUSION

In summary, then, a fool is a person who…

Trusts in himself

Is deaf to instruction

Cannot be disciplined

Is impulsive

Commits evil

Is virtually unchangeable

Reinforcing these qualities of a fool…

Let's now read Pr 26:1-12

Where we find several observations about fools and their folly.

Hopefully, such observations and warnings about "The Folly Of The Fool"will encourage us to choose an alternative path in life; especially when we consider the final contrast between the wise and the fools:

Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory: But shame shall be the promotion of fools.

What shall we inherit? What shall be our legacy? It depends on our willingness to listen to God...