Today we are discussing the Fool. The best way to describe a Fool today would be someone who is out of touch with reality. When the Bible talks about a Fool, it is not speaking about one area of life alone (because a lot of people are ‘Fools’ in one area.) When the Bible talks about a Fool, it’s talking about someone who is out of touch with two basic fundamental facts about reality:
That there is a created order to the world.
We are to live within that created order.
What Proverbs teaches us is that we cannot live any way we want and think there are no consequences in our lives. If you try to act as if there’s no order to the world and live any way you want (make up the rules as you go), then you are a Fool. Proverbs tells us there are varieties of Fools. Proverbs gives 3 essential types of Fools.
Simple Fools - Proverbs 14:15 The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. A simple fool is not someone who is unsophisticated, it means that you can’t discern between good and bad ideas.
Obstinate Fools. Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. A simple Fool believes everybody, the obstinate believes nobody but himself.
Ruthless Fools. The simple fool is devastated by criticism. The obstinate fool shrugs off criticism. The ruthless fool pays you back because they are run by overwhelming pride.
In Galatians 3 the Galatian Christians were turning away from the gospel of grace and Paul calls them “Foolish Galatians.” There is only one true antidote to foolishness: the proclamation of the gospel of the cross.
We are starting a new series today that takes a trek through the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is not a linear book that travels a straight path from A to B, it is a textual/topical book with wisdom shared from various sages throughout the of the best Old Testament periods. Proverbs is about wisdom that teaches us to live in true freedom. As followers of Jesus we aren’t against the culture in which we live, we are for creating something that honors Jesus in all things.
