I have been studying the book of Proverbs again, this time looking up certain definitions in the original Hebrew, with the purpose of gaining deeper insight into King Solomon’s wisdom.
The Hebrew language uses concrete thought, which is the expression of concepts and ideas in ways that can be seen, touched, smelled, tasted and/or heard. All five senses are used when speaking, hearing, writing and reading the Hebrew language. Therefore, the concepts of wisdom and foolishness in the book of Proverbs must be interpreted as direct observations of people’s actions and concrete expressions of their thoughts and feelings. With 700 wives and 300 concubines, a kingdom to rule and countless regrets, King Solomon certainly collected plenty of experiences and case studies to write a practical book on Wisdom.
“A fool has no desire in understanding, but in expressing his own heart.”
These words are found in the 18th chapter of Proverbs, which is perhaps the best literary piece ever written concerning the repercussion of unrestrained, impulsive or unwise words. I highlighted certain verses in the chapter and decided to do further research on the Hebrew text.
The words “fool,” “foolishness” and “foolishly” abound in the English translation of Proverbs. While researching a concordance of the original text, I found the word “fool” as the English translation of four different words in Hebrew, which are repeated over 30 times in the book of Proverbs alone.
Collectively speaking and according to the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, the four words that denote “foolishness” translate “an ethical concept that goes beyond a lack of native intelligence.”
As a matter of fact, according to Solomon, a “fool” believes himself to be wise. His foolishness is more linked to lack of restraint, pride and self-righteousness than lack of intelligence or knowledge of what is morally right and wrong.
Solomon highlights the fool as he who “quarrels against all sound wisdom,” or whose “lips bring strife” and whose “mouth calls for blows.” A fool’s mouth is his “ruin” and his “lips are the snare of his soul.” Ouch.
The words are direct and harsh. The Wise King wastes no compliment to a person who cannot control his or her tongue, or those who disregard wise counsel. And to many of us, these are words which, if heeded, have the potential to spare much heartache and pain.
But the issue is deeper than the words we speak. Truth be told, the wisdom or foolishness that pours out of a person’s mouth is a direct reflection of the condition of their hearts. As a matter of fact, a believer’s wise or unwise words and actions are the most impactful testimony they can leave behind. It does not matter how often they go to church or if they can quote Scriptures like nobody’s business. When one’s heart is full of unforgiveness, envy or anger, their lips will part and their “foolishness” will show. Inevitably, regret follows their lack of restraint and loneliness often meets them in their old age.
It does not matter how far and wide the cosmetics industry may reach to prevent our bodies from showing signs of aging — it happens to all of us. We cannot choose whether to grow old, but we can choose to grow wiser.
I personally do not accept that people cannot change. I know some never will, but not because they can’t — it’s because they won’t. Even though their story may contain a collection of wrecked relationships, they continue to be unwise in words and actions, and will forever match the concept of a “fool” in the book of Proverbs. It’s a sad story.
Wise is the man or woman who realizes that they need to change, regardless of their age, and surrender their weaknesses to God. Wise is the man or woman who strives to be quick to hear, slow to speak and even slower to anger. Wise is the man or woman who quickens their hearts to desire understanding and wisdom above the need to be right.
May God help us never fall into the trap of believing we are too old to grow wiser.
Patricia Holbrook is a columnist, author, blogger and international speaker. Visit her website www.soaringwithHim.com. For speaking engagements and comments, email pholbrook@soaringwithHim.com
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