Proverbs 26
Sep 08 in Proverbs
The first part of ch.26 is all to do with the behaviour of fools (opp. to wise) the way of a fool is right in his own eyes; he despises his father’s instructions; does not want to understand; trusts in his own heart; vents all his feelings; walks in darkness; talks too much.
v.1 says do not give honour to a foolv.3 a fool requires discipline v.4-5 don’t reply to a fool in a foolish manner, a fool will be self-opinionated, obstinate and quick tempered but we must not behave in the same way when responding to him. Do not belittle but expose foolishness with silence and sometimes countering lies with truth. A fool is unreliable, it is not a change of conduct he needs but a change of heart (only God can do that). The fool has said in his heart, there is not God (Psalm 14:1)… life is uncertain we don’t know what day will be our last, for that we must make sure that we walk wise…
Pt. 2 of Ch.26 reminds us about the folly of laziness. The lazy man is described as someone who finds an excuse for not working, as someone with movement but no progress (time passes but there is no advance) as someone who doesn’t use the means available to him (can’t be bothered!); as someone who is self-deceived v.16 (wiser in his own eyes) won’t take advice. What is the answer? It is diligence, discipline, a desire to grow, to learn more about God.