The Fool

Wisdom, which in Hebrew is related to the term for skill, is the art of living well. It’s knowing not only what to do or not do, but how to do the right thing at the right time and in the right way, and why wisdom is worth pursuing, especially when there aren’t explicit rules or commandments that dictate a situation. Proverbs lays out two paths that lead to two outcomes - wisdom or folly; life or death. The Fool is the primary contrasting character and antithesis of the positive portrait of the wise person.

The motto of Proverbs, which is repeated at pivotal moments 14 different times throughout the book, is found in the beginning statement of the book - [V7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Practically, to “fear” the LORD and gain knowledge means to clearly understand and embrace two premises - 1. The givenness of the world and 2. The brokenness of the world and our own fallen nature.

This teaching will examine the character of the fool, the folly and destruction of the fool, and lastly how to be wise. True wisdom comes only through understanding and embracing the foolishness of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).