October 24

Proverbs 26:6-8
"Like cutting off one's feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool. Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. Like tying a stone in a sling is the giving of honor to a fool."


Okay, I know that Proverbs is all about the message and to make a point, the comparisons are frequently stretched. But this one?
Surely, surely a fool is not worth cutting off your feet? That was certain death in OT times. If you didn't die from the infection and/or the blood loss, you would starve to death since you couldn't produce. Cripples begged and that was it.

-sending a message by a fool
-a proverb in the mouth of a fool
-giving honor to a fool

All three of these equaled death and destruction.

So what is a fool? Now?
Dictionary.com defines fool as:
1.a silly or stupid person; a person who lacks judgment or sense.
2.a professional jester, formerly kept by a person of royal or noble rank for amusement: the court fool.
3.a person who has been tricked or deceived into appearing or acting silly or stupid: to make a fool of someone.
4.an ardent enthusiast who cannot resist an opportunity to indulge an enthusiasm (usually preceded by a present participle): He's just a dancing fool.
5.a weak-minded or idiotic person.

What about then?

This is from Worldwide Bible
"term is given a much stronger meaning in the Old Testament. The fool is a godless, and immoral person (cf. Ps. 14:1; Prov. 9:13-18; 14:9). He is a wicked reprobate, destitute of spirituality. Further, and most significantly, many of the translators see the epithet, “You fool!” as implying a curse. Rotherham’s New Testament has, “You cursed fool” [i.e. ‘You damned fool!’].” And the Twentieth Century New Testament paraphrases, “Whoever calls down curses upon him.” The Living Bible paraphrase has, “And if you curse him...”

Out of hateful and malicious anger, one individual is sitting in judgment on another (in effect, taking the place of God) and calling down eternal destruction on the object of his hateful wrath. This bears little relation to our current use of the word, referring to someone lacking in common sense who does something silly. In the Jewish culture, branding someone a fool was close to murder. It reflected an arrogant and hateful attitude calling for immediate correction (vs. 23-24). "

Okay, so it really was a much bigger deal to be a 'fool' in Jesus' or the OT times. So, how do we relate this proverb to our lives?

I am thinking of this proverb this way. See what you think.
When I read something -- either in the newspaper, on the web or in a book from someone who knows a little but not a lot or has overwhelming biases or is just plain stupid -- and I take in their message, I have handed myself and ability to to think myself over to them. Foolish or not.
When I listen to someone on the radio, on tv, in the pulpit, on a street corner, and their views which may or may not be accurate, valid or even thoughtful, I have handed myself and my ability to manuver myself over to them. Foolish or not.
When I elevate men and women to a place of worship either because they are powerful, beautiful, have fame or fortune, I have handed myself and my abiltiy to recognize true honor and nobilty to them. Foolish or not.

You have to be careful what you read, what you listen to and who you honor.

Grace, peace and serenity to you.