The Fool (Part 4)

The Fool

This is the fourth part of the Bible study, The Fool.  It is a look at what God teaches concerning the fool in the Book of Proverbs.  Over 80 times the word fool or a derivative is used in the Book of Proverbs.  By definition a fool is anyone living life as if there is no God.  

Here is a classic example of a proverb.  One of the definitions of a proverb is a description by means of a comparison.  Here is one of many comparisons in Proverbs between the wise and the fool. 

Proverbs 3:35 (KJV) ³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

The first part of this parable states that the wise shall inherit glory.  If we are to better understand this proverb and the book of proverbs in general we must understand the definition of the word wise.  Who is the wise?  What is wisdom? 

The word wisdom is ḥokmâh  in the Old Testament and refers to the mental and physical skills of craftsmen, sailors, singers, mourners, administrators, counselors, and others; but other times, as in Proverbs, it focuses on the application of moral and ethical principles that result in skillful, godly living. A person with this wisdom has “expertise” in godly living.

A.W. Tozer said this about wisdom:  “Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. Wisdom is, in fact, the practical side of moral goodness. As such, it is found in its fullness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariable wise.”

Wisdom is living live obediently to God’s Word.  It is knowing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.  The wise man is learning God’s Word and most importantly learning to live life according to the Bible. He is applying the teachings of God’s Word to his daily life. 

This proverb states that the wise shall inherit glory.  An inheritance is an estate received by a child from his parents.  In Scripture to inherit means what we receive from God based on us being His children. 

Here in this proverb, inherit simply refers to what one receives if they are wise.  What the wise will inherit is glory.

Glory is defined as weighty. A weighty person is someone in society that is honorable, impressive, worthy of respect.   

To summarize the first part of this proverb a person living by the word of God receives honor and respect. 

This is a proverb or a comparison.  The other half of the proverb reads but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

The word shame means disgrace, dishonor and indicates a lowering of social position. 

The word promotion means to raise, to uplift.

To sum up this half of the parable:  The person living life as if there is no God brings shame, disgrace, and dishonor to themselves. 

4.            The fool brings shame and disgrace to themselves.