Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Warnings on Folly & Foolishness Selected Proverbs Wisdom shouts in the street . . . to the naive, scoffers & fools – Prov. 1:20-33 Wisdom calls in public places . . . to the naive and fools - Proverb s 8:1-36

Warnings on Folly & Foolishness Selected Proverbs Wisdom invites publically and privately . . . to the naive - Proverbs 9:1-12 In Proverbs, wisdom as intelligence, skill and ability are founded in the fear of the Lord

The Personification of Folly Proverbs 9:13-18 Folly is from the same root as fool - dull, obstinate, prone to make bad choices Folly is boisterous, rowdy, naive, ignorant, gullible and chooses wrong Wisdom works while Folly sits to call from her doorway

The Personification of Folly Proverbs 9:13-18 Folly targets those trying to make their own way straight - the religious, moralist & ethicist Wisdom & Folly both call out to the naive, but it is to two different locations

The Personification of Folly Proverbs 9:13-18 Folly’s table is set with what is stolen - already a warning not heeded by the naive Feeding at Folly’s table seems good to those at it, but it will lead to death (Proverbs 16:25)

First Level of Foolishness kesîl (kes-eel') - dull, at least somewhat obstinate, bent toward choosing wrong 15:7 - don’t have knowledge 26:7 - are useless / a hindrance ; 17:16 - has no sense ; 21:20 - economically wasteful

First Level of Foolishness The dangers of such foolishness: 13:20 - will suffer harm 1:32 - destroys 1:22 - hate knowledge 23:9 - despises wisdom 28:26 – proud – trust own heart

First Level of Foolishness Moral content & increasing obstinacy: 10:23 - wickedness is a sport; 13:19 - won’t depart from evil 14:16 - arrogant & careless

First Level of Foolishness Character marked by: 10:18 - spreads slander 29:11 - loses temper 17:12 - worse than a bear robbed of her cubs

Second Level of Foolishness 'eviyl (ev-eel') and 'ivveleth (iv-veh'-leth) - Thick, stupid, lacking sense, generally corrupt Foolishness in the young – 22:15 - needs discipline 15:5 - needs to regard reproof

Second Level of Foolishness High Schools & Colligates should heed: 20:3 - any fool will quarrel 17:28 - silence is wise 1:8-9 - listen & heed mom & dad 13:1 - accept discipline 15:32 - listen to reproof

Second Level of Foolishness Consequences to adult fools – 12:15 - right in own eyes; 14:1- tears down own house The longer a person is a fool, the more their character becomes morally bankrupt

Descent into Foolish Folly Fool - kesîl & Folly - 'eviyl combined: 14:24 - increases in foolishness; 15:2 - spouts folly 15:14- feeds on folly

Descent into Foolish Folly Character of a fool – 14:17 - quick tempered; 19:3 - rages against the Lord 29:9 - rages or laughs - yields no rest The sad end of a fool - Proverbs 10:21 - dies for lack of understanding

Third Level of Foolishness nabal (naw-bawl') - declined to be ignoble, disgraceful, insensible to God and morality Proverbs 17:17; 30:22 - characterized by lying and pride

Third Level of Foolishness Psalm 14:1 - says in heart, “There is no God” Warning of Proverbs 3:7 unheeded - fear the Lord and turn from evil A practical atheist may claim to believe in God - even Jesus - but lives as if He did not exist

Third Level of Foolishness Foolishness is acting like a fool - which encompasses more than atheists, agnostics and the irreligious Even the wise must be on guard against foolishness and folly - Proverbs 16:17

Defense Against Foolishness & Folly Proverbs 26:4 & 5 – Do not speak like a fool, don’t debate; rebuke by ignoring or with pointed words The intransigence of fools: 27:22 - folly will not depart 26:11- repeats his folly

Defense Against Foolishness & Folly Hope for fools? The fear of the Lord brings: Proverbs 1:7 - knowledge 9:10 - wisdom 15:33 – instruction for wisdom Characteristics of the fear of the Lord: 8:13 - hates evil 16:6 - keeps you away from evil

Defense Against Foolishness & Folly The terror of the Lord forces a quest to find an escape from God’s judgment The wise find it in God Himself through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Fools try to ignore or deny future judgment, or they develop their own plan

Conclusions The wise will grow in wisdom by walking in the proper fear of the Lord The foolish need to forsake folly and heed wisdom’s call.

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ