The Fool (Part 15)

The Fool

There are 36 references to the word fool in Proverbs alone and over 80 references when you consider its derivatives.  Most of Proverbs deals with comparisons between two people, the wise and the foolish. 

Here is the 15^th mention of the word fool in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 11:29 (KJV) ²⁹ He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

Let us dissect and define this verse. 

The he of the first part of the verse is the fool of the latter part of the verse. 

Troubleth:                           to stir up, disturb, trouble.  The meaning of muddying clear water. 
His own house:                 Family, house, home, place.
Inherit the wind:              to take by succession, to take by descent from an ancestor.
Fool:                                      one who lives life as if there is no God.
Servant:                               servitude, to serve, to labor for
Wise of Heart:                   intelligent, skillful,

The Bible is teaching the fool who stirs up trouble in his own house will inherit nothing and the fool will serve someone who is intelligent and skillful in their actions.

When someone is a trouble maker in the home by living life in opposition to God and His principles it causes them to fall out of favor with the other family members.  This fool expects a great inheritance, but in reality will receive nothing.  He desires wealth and servants, but instead will be poor and a servant himself.

The home was established by God.  He performed the first wedding and gives instruction on the structure and behavior of a proper home.  It is when the relationships and actions of those within the home stray from God and His Word that a home becomes troubled.  The answer for this trouble is for all in the home to have a loving growing relationship with God through His son, Jesus Christ.  Although we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our own.  It is imperative that we allow the Spirit of God to have His will and way in our own behavior.  Are we right with God?  Is our relationship with Jesus thriving and growing?  Are we walking in the Spirit?  Are our thoughts, actions, and words in accordance with the Word of God? 

Let's summarize this verse:

A fool causes trouble at home. 
The fool labors for someone who is wise.