“SIH’s Think On These Things: Proverbs 26:1-3”

He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous (Prov 2:7)

Enemies Of The Lord: The Fool 1: Proverbs 26:1-3

1) As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3) A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

In this chapter, Solomon describes for us three of the greatest enemies of the Lord:

1.  The Fool (vs 1-12), One who does not apply the Word of God to their life.

2.  The Lazy (vs 13-16), One who is not diligent and industrious in their responsibilities

3.  The Cruel (vs 17-28), One who is angry, malicious and out of control 

EXPOSITION:

In this devotion, Solomon begins looking at the fool. This study of the fool will continue in our following devotions (through vs 12).

1) As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

1.  Like snow that falls during the dry season and like rain that falls after the growing season

2.  So respect and admiration are not suitable for those who do not apply the Word to their actions.

Three things are out of place, not fitting and not wanted:

1.  snow in the summer – snow will stunt crops that should be maturing and growing in the summer

2.  rain during the harvest season  - rain will make harvesting difficult by keeping the grain damp and making it difficult for the workers to work in the fields

3.  respect and admiration for the fool – respect and admiration will cause others to follow their teachings and examples.

“The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”   (Psalms 12:8)

2) As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

1.  As sparrows move from place to place

2.  As swifts take flight

3.  so undeserved wishes of evil will not bring harm as planned

The small birds escape their predators by hopping to and fro, never being still to make a good target for the shooter.  The larger birds escape their predators by taking flight to their avoid capture.  These are illustrations of those who are righteous being delivered from the fool’s undeserved harmful wishes for them.

The fool, because they lack understanding of God’s Word, and the importance of it, will oppose those who seek to present the truths of God with their lives.  Although the righteous will face the opposition of the fool, the Lord will graciously protect His people from their evil intentions.

“Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:  That they may know that this [is] thy hand; [that] thou, LORD, hast done it.  Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.”    (Psalms 109:26-28)

3) A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

1.  a lash or crop for the horse – directing it to move more quickly and to move in the proper direction

2.  a bit for a male donkey – used not to hold a donkey back, but to lead it by its owner who walked ahead of it

3.  a stick, rod or switch for the fool’s back – used as discipline to correcting his lifestyle and leading him to obedience to the Lord.

All of the above are used to direct and lead.   In each case, giving verbal commands is not enough to correct the situation at hand.  Therefore, there must be forcible persuasion placed upon them. 

This only makes sense when we are talking about fools, who have purposely chosen to not apply the teachings of the Lord. This is the basic definition of the fool.  We can speak all we want to them but it will do no good.  The Lord will have to intervene in their lives with His disciplinary hand for them to change the direction of their lives and begin to follow His Word.

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.  Be ye not as the horse, [or] as the mule, [which] have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.  Many sorrows [shall be] to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.”   (Psalms 32:8-10)

SUMMARY:

So far in our study of the fool, we have seen that the fool can be characterized by:

1.  Not deserving respect or admiration

2.  A desire for harm to come upon the people of the Lord

3.  Purposely choosing to not apply the teachings of the Lord and, therefore the Lord must discipline them for a change to take place.

May we all possess Godly wisdom and live our lives for Him.

By God’s grace, let us all study these proverbs diligently, giving them the value that they deserve.

May the Lord bless us as we receive this sound wisdom and then “Think On These Things”.

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