February 2, 2024

How to Sound Like a Fool

Proverbs 26

Lexi Zuck
Friday's Devo

February 2, 2024

Friday's Devo

February 2, 2024

Friday's Devo

February 2, 2024

Friday's Devo

February 2, 2024

Big Book Idea

Living wisely—God's way.

Key Verse | Proverbs 26:28

A lying tongue hates its victims,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 26

1  Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.
2  Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    a curse that is causeless does not alight.
3  A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools.
4  Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
5  Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
6  Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
7  Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
8  Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is one who gives honor to a fool.
9  Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10  Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 1 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
11  Like a dog that returns to his vomit
    is a fool who repeats his folly.
12  Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
13  The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road!
    There is a lion in the streets!”
14  As a door turns on its hinges,
    so does a sluggard on his bed.
15  The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
    it wears him out to bring it back to his mouth.
16  The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
    than seven men who can answer sensibly.
17  Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
18  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
19  is the man who deceives his neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”
20  For lack of wood the fire goes out,
    and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
21  As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
22  The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.
23  Like the glaze 2 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross covering an earthen vessel
    are fervent lips with an evil heart.
24  Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips
    and harbors deceit in his heart;
25  when he speaks graciously, believe him not,
    for there are seven abominations in his heart;
26  though his hatred be covered with deception,
    his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
    and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
28  A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Footnotes

[1] 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby
[2] 26:23 By revocalization; Hebrew silver of dross
Table of Contents
Introduction to Proverbs

Introduction to Proverbs

Timeline

Author and Date

Proverbs itself mentions Solomon (reigned c. 971–931 B.C.) as author or collector of its contents (1:1; 10:1), including the proverbs copied by Hezekiah’s men (25:1). There are also two batches of sayings from a group called “the wise” (22:17–24:22; 24:23–34), and “oracles” from Agur (30:1–33) and Lemuel (31:1–9). No author is named for the song in praise of the excellent wife that ends the book (31:10–31). Although Proverbs was begun in the time of Solomon, it probably was not in its present form until the time of Hezekiah (reigned c. 715–686 B.C.).

Theme

The goal of the book is stated right at the beginning (1:1–7): to describe what wisdom is and to help God’s people become wise. Wisdom is founded in the “fear of the Lord,” and it enables believers to express their faith in the practical details of everyday life.

Audience

The book is addressed to a young man. The situations he will face while he is young receive much attention. These situations supply concrete examples from which all readers can apply lessons to their own lives. Anyone who is wise and who pays attention will benefit (1:5) from this instruction.

Reading Proverbs

The reader of Proverbs must seek to understand the various types of people the book describes. The most obvious characters in the book are the wise, the fool, and the simple. Proverbs urges its readers to be wise, which means embracing God’s covenant and living out the covenant in everyday situations (compare 2:2; 10:1). The fool is the person who constantly opposes God’s covenant (1:7b). The simple is the person who is not firmly committed, either to wisdom or to folly; he is easily misled (14:15).

The first nine chapters of Proverbs are “wisdom poems” that urge the reader to pursue wisdom. The main section of Proverbs—the concise, memorable statements of two or three lines—begins in 10:1. Proverbs often seem to be mere observations about life, but their deeper meanings will reveal themselves if the following questions are kept in mind: (1) What virtue does this proverb commend? (2) What vice does it disapprove of? (3) What value does it affirm?

Key Themes

Proverbs offers wisdom on a wide array of topics from daily life: diligence and laziness (6:6–11); friendship (3:27–28; 18:24); speech (10:19–21); marriage (18:22; 19:14); child rearing (22:6); domestic peace (15:17; 17:1); work (11:1); getting along and good manners (23:1–2; 25:16–17; 26:17–19; 27:14); eternity (14:32; 23:17–18); and much more. It shows that “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8).

  1. God’s will is intensely practical, applying to every aspect of life. A proper relation to God involves trying hard to understand his truth, and then embracing and obeying that truth.
  2. A life lived by God’s will is a happy life (3:21–26).
  3. A life lived by God’s will is a useful life (3:27–28; 12:18, 25).
  4. A life lived by God’s will does not just happen. One must seek after it (9:1–6).

Outline

  1. Title, Goal, and Motto (1:1–7)
  2. A Father’s Invitation to Wisdom (1:8–9:18)
  3. Proverbs of Solomon (10:1–22:16)
  4. The Thirty Sayings of “the Wise” (22:17–24:22)
  5. Further Sayings of “the Wise” (24:23–34)
  6. Hezekiah’s Collection of Solomonic Proverbs (25:1–29:27)
  7. The Sayings of Agur (30:1–33)
  8. The Sayings of King Lemuel (31:1–9)
  9. An Alphabet of Womanly Excellence (31:10–31)
The Global Message of Proverbs

The Global Message of Proverbs

Proverbs: Wisdom for the World

The book of Proverbs is not simply a collection of “wise sayings” for life. It is heaven-sent help for stumbling sinners all over the world from every walk of life who are willing to listen to something other than their own fallen instincts. The “fool” in Proverbs is not someone who lacks intellectual capacity but one who stubbornly lives out of his own fallen intuitions, resisting instruction and correction. Likewise, the wise person in Proverbs is not someone who is intellectually superior but someone who humbly places himself beneath the authority of God. Such wisdom is for all God’s people everywhere.

In his great mercy God has clearly shown wisdom to the world—both through the instruction of his Word and in the person of his Son. The book of Proverbs summarizes true wisdom as rooted in the “fear of the LORD” (Prov. 1:7). In Jesus such wisdom takes on new clarity and glory as the one who is the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24) and who “became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30). God’s global people are to receive such wise instruction, to base their wise living in the fear and worship of God, and to testify to a lost world about God’s saving wisdom.

God’s Wisdom Is Theological and Practical

In one sense wisdom is very much universal. It is difficult to find a culture or tradition without its own legacy of wise sayings. Some of these are culture-specific; others reflect the shared human experience.

Scripture’s admonition and exhortation about wisdom, however, is clear. Our faith is not to rest on man’s wisdom but is to be rooted in God’s power (1 Cor. 2:5). The wisdom of this world is “folly with God” (1 Cor. 3:19). Ultimate wisdom is from God (1 Cor. 1:30) and is revealed by God (1 Cor. 2:7). True wisdom is theological and God-given. Those who lack wisdom are to “ask God” for it (James 1:5). It is the Lord who gives wisdom (Prov. 2:6). In Proverbs 9:10 God’s people are reminded again that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (compare 1:7). True wisdom is not the handy tips for life that get handed down from generation to generation among those who do not know God. True wisdom is divine. It is rooted in God’s own saving revelation to his people.

God’s wisdom is not only theological; it is also practical. Indeed, wisdom is practical because it is theological. Theology impacts daily life, and this is clearly seen in the instruction of Proverbs. Everyday life issues are addressed, including parental relations (Prov. 10:1; 15:20; 19:26; 23:25), marriage (5:18; 12:4; 18:22; 19:13–14; 31:10), money (3:9; 10:4; 11:1; 15:16; 16:11), and the power and danger of words (4:5; 7:5; 10:19; 16:24; 17:27). These are life issues that affect people of every age and place. Proverbs provides a picture of both the blessed life grounded in the fear of the Lord and the danger-filled and foolish life of those who despise the Lord’s wisdom and instruction (1:7).

God’s Wisdom Is Individual and Global

Individual wisdom. For every person, in every place, in every time, the message of Proverbs rings true: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). Wisdom from above is not mere advice or pithy sayings. Rather, the worthiest and most blessed advice flows from God, when he has his proper central place in the heart and worship of each individual created by his hand and in his image.

Global wisdom. The message of Proverbs is also global. This is true, first, because only God’s wisdom comprehensively instructs and skillfully dissects with perfect insight the hearts of mankind from every place and for every time. God’s wisdom is global, second, in that God’s global people are called to global engagement and a global mission. The Lord is not a tribal god. The teaching of Proverbs is not tribal lore. God’s wisdom is eternal and global. And God’s people are called to be instruments, through word and deed, of teaching his wisdom to the world. Those who are wise in God represent God to the world. For example, the wise exhibit generosity to the poor and the needy (Prov. 14:21, 31). The wise in God speak enduring and reliable wisdom to a world desperately looking for life-giving counsel. The wise in God feed even their own enemies (25:21).

Taking God’s Saving Wisdom to the World

In the book of Proverbs the Lord has equipped his people to fulfill his global and eternal purposes. God’s purpose is to reveal himself to and then through a people who will bring eternal blessing to the world, and that purpose is still unfolding around the world today (Matt. 28:18–20). In his kindness God has made known both the path of the wicked (Prov. 4:14) and the path of righteousness (12:28). The one leads to destruction and the other to life (11:19).

When love and grace is observed by the world in the lives of God’s people and supremely in the cross of Christ, it is indeed “folly” to them (1 Cor. 1:18, 21). But “the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:25). The wise in God share the good news of the wisdom of God in the gospel of Christ with nations both near and far. Such sharing, when it lands on receptive ears, is “like cold water to a thirsty soul” (Prov. 25:25).In grace God is opening blind eyes through the gospel to his glorious wisdom. In grace he has shown us and empowered us toward a life of God-honoring, upright living. In grace he will use us as his global ambassadors till the day we join in the angelic choir proclaiming, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev. 7:12).

Job Fact #9: Proverbs in Job

Fact: Proverbs in Job

Proverbs in Job. In 17:5, Job may have been quoting a proverb to warn his friends not to make false accusations against him. Proverbs are an effective and memorable way of stating a truth. The book of Proverbs is a rich resource of such wisdom.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Proverbs Fact #4: Garlands

Fact: Garlands

Garlands were wreaths woven from leaves and flowers. They were worn around the head or neck during various celebrations such as weddings. They were also symbols of honor for military success. In Proverbs, they symbolize the honor that comes from following the way of wisdom (4:9).

Proverbs Fact #7: The simple person

Fact: The simple person

The simple person (7:7) is one of the primary character types described in the book of Proverbs. The term describes someone who is immature and easily misled (14:15).

Proverbs Fact #10: A different kind of security

Fact: A different kind of security

A different kind of security. In biblical times, if a person was unable to pay his debt, the consequences could be serious. The whole family could be sold into slavery. If someone put up “security” for another person, he promised to pay that person’s debt if he was unable to do so himself. Proverbs teaches that putting up security for another person is generally unwise, since those who do so risk losing everything if the other person cannot pay his debt (11:15).

Proverbs Fact #27: Gluttony

Fact: Gluttony

Gluttony refers to excessive eating. The Bible condemns gluttony as well as drunkenness. Proverbs teaches that eating and drinking in excess can lead to poverty (23:19–21).

Proverbs Fact #28: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs

Fact: Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs

Hezekiah’s contribution to Proverbs. Although most of the Proverbs were collected or written by King Solomon, who reigned from 971–931 B.C., the book of Proverbs did not exist in its present form until the time of King Hezekiah, some 200 years later. Hezekiah and “his men,” probably his scribes, recorded chs. 25–29.

Proverbs Fact #29: Rock badgers

Fact: Rock badgers

Rock badgers are small cliff-dwelling animals closely resembling guinea pigs. They live and forage for food in large groups and are good at hiding. They are best known for posting sentries that alert the group when danger is near. Perhaps it was this mark of wisdom that earned them a mention in Proverbs (30:26).

Job Fact #16: Pits

Fact: Pits

Pits were used for everything from water collection and food storage to animal traps and prisons. Pits were often seen as signs of danger, representing the final destination of the wicked (33:18). Often the wicked are described as falling into the very pits that they themselves dug (Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27).

Proverbs Fact #25: Glazing over the truth?

Fact: Glazing over the truth?

Glazing over the truth? As in modern times, clay pottery was often glazed to improve its appearance. But glaze could also be used to hide poor craftsmanship. It is this dishonest use that is described in 26:23.

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

OT Testimony that All Are under Sin (3:9)

Romans 3 OT Reference
Sinful Condition
v. 10, none is righteous Ps. 14:3/53:3; Eccles. 7:20
v. 11a, no one understands Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 11b, no one seeks for God Ps. 14:2/53:2
v. 12, all have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one Ps. 14:3/53:3
Sinful Speech (note progression from throat to tongue to lips)
v. 13a, b, their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive Ps. 5:10, Septuagint (English, 5:9)
v. 13c, the venom of asps is under their lips Ps. 140:3
v. 14, their mouth is full of curses and bitterness Ps. 10:7
Sinful Action
v. 15, their feet are swift to shed blood Prov. 1:16/Isa. 59:7
v. 16, in their paths are ruin and misery Isa. 59:7
v. 17, and the way of peace they have not known Isa. 59:8
Summary Statement
v. 18, there is no fear of God before their eyes Ps. 36:1
Study Notes

Prov. 26:4–5 At first these verses seem to contradict each other. But the fact that they are grouped together shows they do not. Rather, they cover two situations. The reader must determine when it is best to answer not a fool (ignore him) and when to answer him. He must be answered if silence would cause harm to the fool or to others.

Study Notes

Prov. 25:28–26:12 All of these proverbs focus on the fool.

Prov. 26:12 Even more hopeless than the situation of the fool (vv. 1–11) is the situation of the stubbornly unteachable person, who is wise in his own eyes (see v. 5).

Study Notes

Prov. 26:13–16 These proverbs focus on the sluggard. He looks ridiculous in his laziness (vv. 13–15) even while considering himself wise (v. 16). In fearing the lion (v. 13), he uses a remote possibility of danger as an excuse for not working.

Study Notes

Prov. 26:17 Someone who stands behind a passing dog and grabs it by the ears is temporarily safe from harm. But he is actually trapped, because the angry dog will attack him when he lets go.

Study Notes

Prov. 26:17–22 These proverbs describe a person who uses his words carelessly.

Study Notes
Proverbs Fact #25: Glazing over the truth?

Fact: Glazing over the truth?

Glazing over the truth? As in modern times, clay pottery was often glazed to improve its appearance. But glaze could also be used to hide poor craftsmanship. It is this dishonest use that is described in 26:23.

Study Notes
Job Fact #16: Pits

Fact: Pits

Pits were used for everything from water collection and food storage to animal traps and prisons. Pits were often seen as signs of danger, representing the final destination of the wicked (33:18). Often the wicked are described as falling into the very pits that they themselves dug (Ps. 7:15; Prov. 26:27).

Study Notes

Prov. 26:23–28 These verses concern the liar. He artfully disguises his lies, and one should take care not to be fooled by him (vv. 23–25). Eventually his lies will be exposed and he will be trapped in his own deceit (vv. 26–28).

S3:025 Proverbs 26

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Proverbs 26

In this chapter, we see how foolishness stains habits and reputation (Proverbs 26:1-12), bleeds into work ethic (Proverbs 26:13-16), and ultimately poisons speech (Proverbs 26:17-28). This is no small matter. Jesus tells us that the words you speak come from the heart, and that's what defiles you (Matthew 15:18). Any word—from lies to flattery— reveals the ugliness of sin within us (Proverbs 26:28). Sin fuels foolishness, and it's a sobering reality that we have no ability to fight sin until we, as new creations in Christ, look beyond ourselves to gaze at the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:17, 3:18).

Even more than trying to fight sin and abstain from foolishness, we need to look like Jesus. Thankfully, as believers, we are united with Him. In 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT), Paul writes, "God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin."

When we, as believers, accept this glorious reality that we are united with Jesus— who is the very definition of wisdom itself— we will live from the honor that God has already given us in making us pure, holy, and free from sin. When we understand this, our whole lives will align and shine from this blessed union. Jesus is the key to abstaining from foolishness and living a life of honor that we, as believers, are privy to employ and enjoy. Instead of being lazy, we will work hard for the Lord (Colossians 3:23), and instead of using our mouths for destruction, we will use it to bless God and others (James 3:9-12). This union makes us look like Jesus.

Out of this humble, Christ-centered posture, we can read and apply each of these wise sayings to our daily lives! Each verse is a tool that can help us understand the way of the world, stay on the right path, or redirect us when we veer off. Let the Holy Spirit illuminate specific verses to pray into your life today!

This month's memory verse

Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

– Exodus 34:6b

Discussion Questions

1. Reflecting on your life, do you usually view sin as the root of foolishness? How does this change the way you seek to address foolishness in your own life or the lives of others?

2. Why is it important to remember your union with Christ as you seek to become more like Him?

3. Which verse(s) did the Holy Spirit specifically highlight in your heart as you read this chapter? Pray through those now!

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

MS

Michael Scaman

Song as if by Artist: Florence + The Machine on Proverbs 26 An oversized 26 on the CD cover with the following description: The ethereal and haunting voice of Florence Welch from Florence + The Machine would be most suitable to convey the introspective and symbolic nature of "Is There a Fool in the Mirror?" The poetic and layered lyrics align with the depth and complexity of the proverbial reflections within the poem. Florence's emotive delivery can capture the essence of the fool's journey and the contemplative tone of the verses. Is there a fool in the mirror ? as if by Florence + The Machine In mirrors' dance, a tale unfolds, Fool's mask, wisdom it holds. Summer of honor, snow of folly, A self-proclaimed sage, eyes melancholy. To answer or not, a choice profound, Silence's virtue, wisdom or sound? Two paths diverge, a fool's folly, Which road to take in wisdom's jolly? Archer's arrow, wounds wide and deep, Hiring a fool, a choice to weep. Dog returns to vomit's embrace, Folly repeated, a never-ending chase. Charcoal kindles, a quarrelsome ember, Words of a whisperer, a tale to remember. Glazed vessel, lips fervently untrue, Hiding the truth, a deceptive view. Wise in one's eyes, self-claimed decree, More hope for a fool than such vanity. Sluggard's tales of lions and streets, Laziness disguised, wisdom it meets. The question remains, a haunting mirror's call, Is there a fool in the mirror after all? Fixing a wrong with a wrong is steeping to your level, a perilous brew, A lose-lose dance, the mirror traps you too. Speaking truth in love, a liberating key, Breaks us both free from the mirrors' decree. The question remains, a haunting mirror's call, Is there a fool in the mirror after all? Who will be trapped in the mirror with me? Or who will set me free?
GJ

greg jones

Great dive and questions this morning. Interesting use of 1 Corinthians 1:30 The paragraph that precedes the paragraph the verse is contained in. Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach[b] to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:20-25 Paul lays some groundwork for some arguments he is going to make with the Corinthians. He calls, literally, what he preaches folly or the opposite of wisdom. “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.” It’s sort of hyperbole, but not entirely if you put yourself in the time and the day. Basically Paul’s message paraphrased- Hey Gentiles, there was this Jew named Jesus and he claimed to be the Son of God, just like the emperor, but for real. The state executed him. You should follow him. At large the Gentile response paraphrased-That sounds and looks like folly. I can understand why it sounded and looked that way. Without a Damascus road experience or being an original witness to the resurrection I don’t know that I’m in on this movement. I mean reject Caesar, if he forsakes you it can mean the Roman cross, or some other public hellish punishment. I hear Paul acknowledge and play off of what could have been some natural skepticism surrounding the Corinthians in what he says next that lead up to verse 30 quoted in the dive. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. V 28-29 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. “Things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” Paul doesn’t say what the “is not’s” and the “is are’s” is. But knowing how the story ends you have Jews and Gentiles coming together in a way that the intended empire worship is not accomplishing. I see that as what he is alluding to. And, Greek wisdom is backing emperor as son of gods worship. To get the feel for the counterculture appeal Paul is using by comparing his preaching to folly it helps to be familiar with what the majority of the gentile culture was buying into. A link to the Priene calendar inscription https://jesusmemoirs.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/839b8-gospel-theprienecalendarinscriptionhandout.pdf
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thanks, Lexi, and I'm pretty sure you win the prize for "shortest bio in the history of Join The Journey"!! I so appreciate v. 2--"Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight."' Blessings and curses were big big big deals in the ancient world. People ascribed a lot of power to the words used to bestow either favor and honor in the case of blessings, or evil, calamity, injury, or destruction in the case of curses. Today, people who are superstitious or engaged in witchcraft of various kinds will fear the power of curses. But according to this proverb, if someone speaks a curse that is undeserved, it won't land. It occurs to me that for us as Christ-followers, the more we grasp the glorious truth of what it means to be "in Christ," the more we can rest in His protection--even from things like undeserved curses. And thanks to how people can hide behind screens online, such as with social media, it is easier than ever to curse others. Cyber bullying is huge among the young, who curse each other with ugly words like "You should kill yourself." But the one who sees herself as safely tucked inside the Lord Jesus Christ, that kind of curse doesn't have to land--she can say, "Not going to accept that. Jesus has me." This is a personal reality for me. I'm the one at Probe Ministries who gets the notification of someone posting an ugly curse on Google reviews that we are hate-filled monsters because the Southern Poverty Law Center declared us a hate group (because we don't ascribe to the cultural narrative on LGBTQ sexual ethics). I experience the truth of Proverbs 26:2 when the undeserved curse doesn't land--I know it's not true, it's yet another deceptive lie from the enemy. I get to feel the safety of Jesus' protection. I am so grateful!
AL

Amy Lowther

1. No, because sometimes people have their work done, are listening to God, and just want to be foolish (excluding hurting anyone). If I am considering foolishness or responding to foolishness near me, I know it is important to listen to God as I make choices. 2. It helps me remember what is important. 3. I found the verses of, “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling”, in this passage to be interesting. Prayer: God, thank you for all you do. Your guidance is good. You help me see my limits, and you help me live within them. If I happen to forget this, I am thankful you will remind me to do what is right. May we all know ourselves and set our limits using your guidance. May we all listen to you and do what is right. Amen. Lexi - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You made an excellent point in saying, “Each verse is a tool that can help us understand the way of the world, stay on the right path, or redirect us when we veer off”. As we include Christ in our lives and do a little bit each day, we can realize and achieve goals.
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Proverbs 26 in two parts-   Today my reflection is on verse 11   “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”   This is a verse we use a lot in Prodigal and re:gen.  In many ways the graphic description speaks for itself.     In checking out the Bible dictionaries I discovered a lot about how the ancient world regarded dogs -    -As the dog was an unclean animal, the terms "dog," "dog's head," "dead dog," were used as terms of reproach or of humiliation ( 1 Samuel 24:14 ; 2 Sam 3:8 ; 9:8 ; 16:9 ). -Paul calls false apostles "dogs" (Philippians  3:2 ). -Those who are shut out of the kingdom of heaven are also so designated ( Revelation 22:15 ). -Persecutors are called "dogs" ( Psalms 22:16 ). -Hazael's words, "Thy servant which is but a dog" ( 2 Kings 8:13 ), are spoken in mock humility. Impossible that one so contemptible as he should attain to such power. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary) ———————   I chuckled when I looked up “vomit”.  It just says “vomit”.  Not much defining needed.     So, when I do the same stupid things again & again the image of myself is graphically clear.     What “food” do I regularly eat that makes me vomit and then return to my vomit?     A better question - What food do I NOT eat that will nourish me, restore me and give me true comfort?   Gluttony is a primary sin struggle for me.  The feeling of satisfaction that comes from a full stomach and a nap is too attractive.    My application today is to review my spiritual disciplines and pray for guidance to be more attracted to spiritual food than to anything else.  
HS

Hugh Stephenson

On verses 5 and 12; with a link to the last verse in the book of Judges- My mother had lots of her own wisdom sayings. A sample: “Lie down with a dog and you’ll get fleas.” “Blood is thicker than water.” “If you don’t have time to do it right when will you have time to do it over?” But this was the best one: “Stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” As foolish as I was at least I learned that one well. ————————————————————————— How many stupid things have to happen before a person moves from UNteachable to teachable? In my case certainly hundreds and probably thousands. And how long does it take? I think you already know my answer: mid teens to mid 50’s. Let’s call it 40 years. A good round biblical number. ESV SB- Prov. 26:12 After 11 verses describing the terrible state of the fool, this verse becomes a forceful punch line: even more hopeless than the situation of the fool is the situation of the stubbornly unteachable person, who is wise in his own eyes (see v. 5). The reference to a better hope for the fool indicates just how dire the situation is, since the fool is described as one who already considers his way to be “right in his own eyes” (12:15). Yet there are degrees of folly, and some of the more thoughtless type of fools can sometimes be reclaimed. Arrogant self-assumption and fancied superiority to all instruction place a man hopelessly beyond the reach of help [cf. vv. 3, 11]."[741] "Worse than a fool is a deluded fool."[742]
HS

Hugh Stephenson

Two verses in this long section on fools- 5  Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes. 12  Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him. Judges 21:25 25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. The insanity of this historical truth its really amazing. Judges is a very tough read. There have been a number of plans and classes where judges was on the menu. Along with II Kings I think it’s the toughest overall read in Scripture. How quickly it happens. In what seems to be the blink of an eye every promise of God can be lost.