Chapter 14 of Proverbs contrasts the fool with the wise in a multitude of scenarios winding through life’s choices; but ending with the truth that those who are fools have chosen death. Even if they themselves are not aware of it. Truly, that is the irony of it all. They believe they have chosen the better portion; yet, they have chosen eternal death and destruction. The same is true of nations as well as individuals. So how do we avoid being the fool? As we go verse by verse through Chapter 14, let us pause to consider each proverb. Then let us draw a conclusion so we might not be the fool who chooses death unwittingly and we might help others to find their way.
Proverbs 14:1 (AMP).
The wise woman builds her house [on a foundation of godly precepts, and her household thrives],
But the foolish one [who lacks spiritual insight] tears it down with her own hands [by ignoring godly principles].
The Bible included the stories of many mothers who built their homes on Godly principles like the mother of Moses, then there was Ruth, but perhaps one of the best examples was Samuel’s mother Hannah who fulfilled her promise to God. (As told in I Samuel 1).
Yet there were others who destroyed their homes such as Athaliah. 2 Chronicles 22: 2 Ahaziah was [a]forty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the [b]granddaughter of Omri. 3 He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother advised him to do wickedly. 4 Therefore he did evil in the sight of the Lord, like the house of Ahab; for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.
The Fool Does Not Fear the Lord
The one who walks in His uprightness fears the Lord,[d]
but the one who is perverted in his ways[e] despises him.
In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride,
But the lips of the wise will preserve them. Proverbs 14:2,3
Often it is pride that prevents one from revering the Lord or bowing to His counsel; but that leads to ultimate destruction. So, note the play on words. Whose righteousness do we seek, His not our own. For ours is worthless and perverted. The one who seeks God’s righteousness sees God as high and lifted up, that we bow before Him in reverent adoration, laying aside all pride in self.
Just as Goliath boasted much, while David relied on God alone for the victory.
Verse 4-9:
Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.
Sometimes in life, we must do the laborious tasks that lay before us. They could be cast aside; but then, where would the harvest come from?
A faithful witness does not lie,
But a false witness will utter lies.
6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,
But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
By their very nature a fool scoffs at true wisdom, though he or she says they are seeking it. Yet, they cannot accept the truth, even when it is right in front of their eyes. Instead they cling to lies.
7 Go from the presence of a foolish man,
When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way,
But the folly of fools is deceit.
9 Fools mock at [b]sin,
But among the upright there is favor.
Pretty much self-explanatory fools explain away their sin through lies and deceit. It is best to flee their presence than to be drawn into their lies. When we try to join, too often we too compromise.
Bitterness or Joy
10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its joy.
11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown,
But the tent of the upright will flourish.
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And the end of mirth may be grief.
14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied [c]from above.
Although one my try to hide the bitterness that grows within, it cannot be hidden from one’s own heart. Bitterness will steal away all laughter, forsaking the joy of Christ. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. Our joy, which at moments seem so fleeting, can only truly come from keeping our focus on Him. He is the joy we seek. We must remain focused on all that He has provided. Otherwise, we focus on what we think is right or just. Seeking joy from counterfeit joys and find a seed of bitterness in our heart, screaming “unfair” when things don’t go our way. Never remembering that God does have a perfect plan for us.
Wise Discernment versus the rage of the Fool
15 The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
16 A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
18 The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Mercy and Kindness
19 The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But [d]the rich has many friends.
21 He who despises his neighbor sins;
But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
22 Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
23 In all labor there is profit,
But [e]idle chatter leads only to poverty.
24 The crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is folly.
25 A true witness [f]delivers souls,
But a deceitful witness speaks lies.
We are to be merciful to the poor. By nature, humanity tends to push aside the poor as forgotten while desiring to hang out with the wealthier, more prestigious crowd. We are admonished to show mercy to the poor. However, there is a warning that those who are poor must remember that labor however humble is good. A fool runs forth with idle chatter instead of truly working. So, beware and work, then there is no shame in poverty. God is the one who sees your heart. Work as though all you do is for Him and He will provide. An honest days labor without deceit is what we are to give.
What is the final truth?
26 In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor,
But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince.
29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is [g]impulsive exalts folly.
30 A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones.
Truly life depends on this, reverently seeking God above all else. Every thing else is merely fools gold.
What about our nation?
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.
32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
But the righteous has a refuge in his death.
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding,
But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
But sin is a [h]reproach to any people.
35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant,
But his wrath is against him who causes shame
We must turn away from the foolish ideologies of this world and turn to God alone for the answers. Righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people
The fool believes in themselves, with idle talk and ideas. This leads to death and destruction. True life filled with hope and joy can only be found in seeking God through bowing before Him, repentant of our sins and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. That is true as individuals and as a nation. May God bless you. And may God bless the USA by allowing her to awaken from her foolish ideologies, acknowledge her sin, and bow before Him in humble adoration of who He is.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Or if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
Previously
Books Available
If you want to know more about books I have written,then, click on this link to my Book Resources.
Another option is going to Amazon.com. Because, there you can find my books by searching for Effie Darlene Barba. Or click this link to be taken there
Furthermore, for inspirational photos or home decor click here.
Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.