Father's Day and the Fool

Centuries ago, the English court jester (or we might say, comedian, today) was called The Fool, namely because he acted foolishly and said foolish things in an attempt to entertain.

Have you ever been called a fool?  The word today is derogatory, and is applied whenever someone is judged to have a lack of discernment and/or has acted in a way to harm himself or others. Generally, being called a fool today is not a compliment.

What though, does the Bible say makes someone a fool?

We get one indication from the first proverb attributed to King Solomon, a man God gifted with a huge amount of wisdom, by God's own declaration.  In other words, to say that Solomon was extremely wise is not just stating my personal opinion.

11God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12wisdom and knowledge are granted to you.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12a

Fortunately for us, Solomon loved to write; he wrote down much of that wisdom he was supernaturally given.  He makes a statement in Proverbs 1:7 (NET) about fools.

7Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

"Fear" here is the Hebrew yir·’aṯ , which means "reverence, respect and awe, with a little healthy fear thrown in".  In other words, to learn how to live a morally upright life, honor the revelation of that life God gives us in His Word.  Solomon goes on to say that a hallmark of a fool is that, when presented with wisdom, he or she not only ignores it, but further, despises it.

In fact, Solomon perhaps learned this from his father, King David, who recorded in
Psalm 14:1 (NET) - -

For the music director; by David. Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right. 

I have observed this to be utterly true, in my personal interactions with spiritual fools.  In order to wiggle out from under the moral law of God, it is quite handy to convince oneself no true God exists. If He does not exist, His mandates are meaningless, yes?

And, that is what fools do.  They begin, actually, with discrediting the Bible, which tells us of God, after all.  If The Book is untrue, why, then, the Son, who is referenced on practically every page, is a fictitious character of over-active imaginations.

What else does the Bible tell us about fools?  We'll explore the nature of fools more in the next post, but Proverbs 1 gives us a second clue in verses 8 and 9 (NET).

8Listen, my child, to the instruction from your father,

and do not forsake the teaching from your mother.

9For they will be like an elegant garland on your head,

and like pendants around your neck.

These verses make me think of graduation regalia.  The mortarboard is not made of flowers, but it provides an elegant garland for the head.  Often, various pendants to represent high achievement are awarded and worn around the neck.  When a young person is blessed with parents who know the Lord, they have been given a tremendous advantage in this world.

Godly parents, scripture tells us, are a blessing from the Lord. (Proverbs 22:6) They are not perfect, nor are they always right.  But, if they follow the Lord Jesus as Savior themselves, if they are truly His, then most of the time they will at least valiantly attempt to teach their children the wisdom of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Parents, Christian or not, are their child's first teachers.  But, some people reject their godly parents' instruction and the wisdom they espouse.  This is a hallmark of a fool.

My mother and I were talking this morning about how my own earthly father has been dead now nearly 20 years.  How grateful to God I am for the biblical wisdom he lovingly shared with me (and that my mother continues to share)!  There were also times he whupped my butt. (Proverbs 13:24). And, I am grateful for his correction too, because godly parents correct their children when they need it.  That is a mark of their love.

We are coming up on Father's Day this Sunday.  If you were fortunate enough to have wise, godly parents, thank God.  If you still do, don't blow off their advice and guidance.  Listen to them; consider their point of view; respect them.  Tell them that you love them.

If you have children, teach them the wisdom of God, even into adulthood.  They never stop needing you.  Do it, even when it makes you and them a little uncomfortable.  Speaking truth into another person's life, and doing it with love, is a hallmark of love itself.  Receiving it is a mark of wisdom.