Prov 10.8
8 The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.
Parallelism Examined |
|
8a |
8b |
|
wise |
fool(ish) |
|
of heart |
babbling (of lips) |
|
will receive |
will be |
|
commands |
ruined |
wise – one who recognizes limitations and is willing to learn
heart – in the anthropology of the Old Testament, the “heart” points typically to the mind or thinking
commands – this is a direction expecting responsible actions, the violation of this brings discipline and consequences. Consider all that God “commands,” God enables the means to accomplish, Ex 31.2-6; 35.30-36.1.
fool(ish) –
babbling – one who gives the impression of wisdom with many words, words which are often not connected with living!
ruined – to be thrust down, out, away! Consider, without the guidance of the “commands,” calamity lies ahead!
References to consider:
Matt 15.18
18 “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.
Eccl 12.13
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
Num 15.30-31
30 ‘But the person who does anything defiantly, whether he is native or an alien, that one is blaspheming the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from among his people. 31 ‘Because he has despised the word of the Lord and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt will be on him.’ ”
Violating the commandments of God brings the consequence of being “cut off.” Scholars suggest two meanings with the context being the determinative factor. Either meaning is most intensive! Gen 9.11 points to death. Ex 12.15 points to excommunication from the believing community. It is probably worth consideration that, according to 1 Kings 11.31-39, Solomon’s kingdom was destroyed because he violated “commands.”
The “Fool” (‘ewil)
Crucial to understanding Proverbs is to understand the words used for “fool” (aka: scoffer). Wisdom confronts this thinking. In this Proverb we encounter one of the important words.
This particular “person” or “fool” hates wisdom, can’t stand it, loves folly. They turn you off when you speak of wisdom, God’s ways, or of Christ! Of the four key words for fool in Proverbs, this one is not invited to the feast hosted by Wisdom, ch 9. Only the naïve and the kesil are invited.
| He despises wisdom, Prov 1.7 | He is self-confident, Prov 12.15; has all the answers! |
| He dies for lack of sense, Prov 10.21 – lack of “heart” | He is flippant, mocks at sin and making restitution, Prov 14.9; the word “sin” in this verse is “trespass offering” |
| He rejects his father’s wisdom, Prov 15.5 | He is quarrelsome, Prov 20.3 |
| He finds that wisdom is beyond him, Prov 24.7 | His ANGER is readily recognizable, Prov 12.16 |
| He serves the wise, Prov 11.29 | He is extreme, either rages or laughs, Prov 29.9 |
| He is talkative, Prov 10.8, 10; and is therefore considered wise when he keeps quiet, Prov 17.28 | He does not benefit from discipline, Prov 16.22; he thinks his own way is without error! |
| He is incorrigible, entrenched, Prov 27.22; you can’t grind it out of him! |
Sharpening for my life today:
Consider sharpening with the Lord: What the Lord commands, the Lord enables! He commands blessing to those who obey. Conversely, violation brings consequences.
Consider sharpening with others: a great place to start is practicing humility!
Consider sharpening with yourself: a wise person recognizes his limitations and is open to learning, instruction, direction.
