Fools - 2

(Prov 7:22-23)  He goeth after her (the strange woman)  straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; {23} Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

 

      The Hebrew word for “fool” here is ‘eviyl and means literally, “one who hates wisdom; one who mocks when guilty”; we call this a silly fool because they have missed the mark morally speaking. This person’s curiosity and rejection of authority have caused them to violate moral purity. We see this throughout our society today – in young people and older alike. They want to be their own boss and reject any authority over them. They reject the bonds of purity (waiting until marriage to be sexually active) and or reject the vows they have made after marriage. They mock at their guilt in immoral activity and ridicule any and all who would try to help them see their accountability before God. Our society has aided these in their foolish behavior by the immoral laws that have been put in place through the years and now they have become embolden in their sin; so much so that even Christians fall for this type of behavior and think nothing of it.

      They remind us of the term “thick-headed” that is used when people do not or refuse to see truth and comprehend the light of God’s word. Solomon uses this word in (Prov 10:21) “fools die for want of wisdom.”  Thy react when you try to reason with them about being wise or considering their way – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

      The silly fool believes his way is right and others are wrong (or perhaps the other ways are right for other people but not for him) – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes . . .” This being said, it is not wise to argue with him because he will not learn from your advice or counsel. They always know better than anyone else and always have an answer or ridicule for you – “If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.” It seems they only learn from some type of punishment or discipline (in the case of a child).

      Since they think they are always right, when things go wrong they blame others and become angry and sometimes even violent – “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.” They often talk about their ways (perhaps trying to convince their conscience they are right) or they mutter about their problems when things go wrong. Since they are always right (in their thinking) they have advice for others and they will get into trouble by their much speaking – “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” “Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” “ Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.”

      You can see a progression in these types of fools – the silly fool desires to be the hero of a simple fool and if not checked the simple fool will progress to the silly fool behavior.