Daily Bible Study

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Day 269 Proverbs 26:1 Proverbs 26:1 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor 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. 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. 6 He that sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet, and drinks damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool. 9 As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God that formed all things both rewards the fool, and rewards transgressors. 11 As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. 12 See thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. Do you know people who will not listen to reason, who go off on their own, doing whatever their heart desires because they think it’s better than what anyone else can do? You call them foolish, headstrong, belligerent, foolhardy, bent on destruction, and in some cases, stupid. Solomon called them fools, and gave many examples of a fool and their behavior. That is not to say that everyone who acts in a foolish manner is a fool. I know I’ve done foolish things in my life, but I learned from my actions. Those who learn from their actions and try to improve their lives, are not fools. You need to be careful about labeling a person a fool. Even Jesus had something to say about calling a person a fool, who wasn’t one. Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (KJV) You must weigh the actions of the person before you label them as a fool. It is a dangerous road you walk when you put that kind of label on anyone. Instead of labeling a person as such, give it over to God, and pray for the person that they would show some common sense and listen to reason. God pleads with his people to see reason, else judgment come on them. Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Fools don’t recognize reason, they don’t listen to anyone but themselves. God will judge them. You don’t need to do anything, except go your way, and leave the fool to his folly. Let’s pray: Father, help me see reason as I go about my daily life. Help me listen to what you would have me do and not be considered foolish or labeled a fool. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 5 June 2017 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay