WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.500 We're reading from Proverbs chapter 26, verses 1 to 12. 00:00:06.400 --> 00:00:12.359 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:21.420 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:28.740 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 00:00:30.339 --> 00:00:35.159 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:42.439 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:50.519 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool, cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 00:00:51.799 --> 00:00:57.840 Like a lame man's legs which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:04.799 Like one who binds the stone in the sling, is one who gives honour to a fool. 00:01:04.799 --> 00:01:12.599 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:20.559 Like an archer who wounds everyone, is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 00:01:22.060 --> 00:01:27.959 Like a dog that returns to its vomit, is a fool who repeats his folly. 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:32.539 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? 00:01:32.540 --> 00:01:35.840 There was more hope for a fool than for him. 00:01:39.540 --> 00:01:41.160 What is a fool? 00:01:42.320 --> 00:01:45.340 When I ask that question, what comes to your mind? 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:48.760 What comes to my mind immediately is Homer Simpson. 00:01:49.120 --> 00:01:50.439 I love the Simpsons. 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:56.540 He's stupid, ignorant and repeatedly gets himself into trouble. 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:06.480 Most people, when they think of what it generally means to be foolish, is to be stupid, unwise, silly, reckless. 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:09.560 But here's the problem. 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:14.580 We all agree that a fool is someone who does unwise things. 00:02:15.860 --> 00:02:20.159 But what we determine to be unwise is quite subjective. 00:02:21.580 --> 00:02:25.319 We think people hoarding toilet paper are foolish. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:27.099 We've seen that again in recent weeks. 00:02:27.939 --> 00:02:32.300 But they're probably thinking about the same thing of those who don't hoard toilet paper. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:39.820 Often our definition of a fool will be determined where we've come down on an issue. 00:02:40.700 --> 00:02:42.060 Mac or PC. 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:44.219 Labor, liberal. 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:46.300 Manual or automatic. 00:02:47.160 --> 00:02:51.280 There are endless things which determine what we think is foolish. 00:02:52.200 --> 00:02:54.939 And we never think we are the fools. 00:02:56.220 --> 00:03:01.060 But is the book of Proverbs so subjective in its definition of what makes someone a fool? 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:09.420 It's important to know because depending on what we think a fool is, will change the way we interpret these Proverbs before us today. 00:03:10.719 --> 00:03:21.420 Now, the key to interpreting Proverbs, the short two-line sayings of Proverbs chapters 10 to 30, is to interpret them in light of chapters 1 through 9. 00:03:22.540 --> 00:03:30.320 Chapters 1 through 9 act as the introduction to the whole book, defining biblical wisdom and calling us to it. 00:03:30.319 --> 00:03:35.219 Now, what do we learn in chapters 1 through 9 about fools? 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:42.819 Well, if you can quickly turn to chapter 1, verse 7, let's look at the key verse to the whole book of Proverbs. 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:44.659 And it says this, 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:48.759 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. 00:03:49.919 --> 00:03:53.500 Fools despise wisdom and instruction. 00:03:53.500 --> 00:03:59.219 Now, this verse shows us what it means to be wise, but it also defines the fool. 00:04:01.400 --> 00:04:03.699 The fool does not fear the Lord. 00:04:04.259 --> 00:04:07.659 Instead, they despise wisdom and instruction. 00:04:09.879 --> 00:04:15.000 Thinking about the rest of chapters 1 through 9, the fool is the one who chooses Madam Folly. 00:04:15.520 --> 00:04:16.839 The adulterous woman. 00:04:16.839 --> 00:04:20.779 You might remember her from when we've previously looked at Proverbs in the past. 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:27.000 The fool chooses Madam Folly over lady wisdom, God's wisdom. 00:04:28.179 --> 00:04:33.779 He chooses to participate in the idolatry and thinking of the nations around Israel, 00:04:34.299 --> 00:04:39.139 instead of listening to God and worshipping God alone. 00:04:39.139 --> 00:04:47.339 Now, this gives us a different definition of fools, though, to what we would usually think. 00:04:48.699 --> 00:04:50.620 As Graham Goldsworthy says, 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:55.139 The root of his trouble is spiritual, not mental. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:04:59.899 At bottom, what he is rejecting is the fear of the Lord. 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:03.539 It is this that constitutes the fool. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:04.639 End quote. 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:09.819 A fool is not someone who has below average brain capacity. 00:05:10.879 --> 00:05:13.240 The fool is someone who rejects God. 00:05:14.000 --> 00:05:20.659 Instead of being humble and accepting wisdom from God, he chooses folly to be wise in his own eyes. 00:05:21.159 --> 00:05:25.019 He interprets the universe without reference to God, 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:30.360 determining for himself what is right and wrong and how he should live. 00:05:30.360 --> 00:05:36.420 Now, that definition of foolishness sounds a lot like sin, doesn't it? 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:44.439 And that description sounds a lot like the people in this world, the people in our lives. 00:05:45.780 --> 00:05:50.960 In fact, if we're honest, often we fit into this definition of foolishness. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:59.899 So, as we go into these passages about fools, try to keep the Bible's definition of fools in the back of your mind 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:08.439 and be prepared to concede that maybe even you, maybe even me, maybe even I have been acting like a fool. 00:06:09.639 --> 00:06:11.639 With that, let's get into our passage. 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:17.299 Now, this passage answers the question, how should we deal with fools? 00:06:17.300 --> 00:06:21.600 As we've said, this describes most of the world. 00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:27.740 Verses 1 to 3 answer that question and introduce us to the main idea of the passage. 00:06:28.180 --> 00:06:29.480 And this is what it is. 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:31.879 We should not give honour to fools. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:34.800 Instead, we should discipline them. 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:37.199 Look at verse 1. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:46.220 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honour is not fitting for a fool. 00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:51.140 Now, similar to many of the proverbs in this chapter, this proverb is a simile. 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:52.880 Kids, you probably love that word. 00:06:52.960 --> 00:06:53.900 How do we know it's a simile? 00:06:53.980 --> 00:06:55.220 It starts with that word like. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:07:01.580 And a simile is a figure of speech comparing one thing with another thing of a different kind 00:07:01.580 --> 00:07:05.120 to make a description more emphatic or vivid. 00:07:06.260 --> 00:07:11.360 And in this verse, Solomon compares honouring fools to weather events 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:13.340 which don't fit into certain times of year. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:22.019 In Israel and in most places in the world, it never snows in the summer or rains in the harvest. 00:07:22.379 --> 00:07:26.319 In fact, if it did, these normally welcome things would be natural disasters. 00:07:27.819 --> 00:07:30.859 Over the past few years, parts of Australia have been in drought. 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:37.280 And we prayed for rain and finally rain came, but it also came at the wrong time. 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:43.680 And in large amounts, causing devastation, destroying crops, killing animals. 00:07:45.280 --> 00:07:52.160 So just like how these events don't match those times of years, honour is not fitting for a fool. 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:55.080 You should not honour a fool. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:57.419 It just doesn't match up. 00:07:57.539 --> 00:08:01.439 And if it did, it would be like a natural disaster causing havoc. 00:08:02.819 --> 00:08:10.699 Now, I should say, the call to not honour fools does not mean we should not be loving or respectful to them, of course. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.519 In the Bible, I guess there's a difference. 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:16.419 And you just need to look at the life of Jesus to see that. 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:19.360 He might not have honoured fools, but he did love them. 00:08:19.459 --> 00:08:20.579 He was loving towards them. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:23.959 Now, what does it mean to honour a fool? 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:25.579 What does it mean to honour anyone? 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:31.759 Us Aussies have tall poppy syndrome, so we don't think of honour often. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:35.819 Well, we honour fools by valuing them. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:41.819 We can be deceived into thinking they are wise and are deserving of honour. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.000 And so we value them. 00:08:44.000 --> 00:08:50.899 Or we know they are foolish, but we selfishly value the things we know they can give us. 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:59.500 Next, we honour people by listening to them, hearing what they have to say, and not just that, but taking it on board. 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:03.620 And lastly, we honour people by praising them. 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:10.600 We can praise them verbally, or we can show our praise to them by giving them a gift or a role. 00:09:10.600 --> 00:09:16.320 Bruce Waltke calls honouring giving people social weight. 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:21.000 So when we praise them, we're elevating them in the eyes of others. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:30.460 In ancient Israel, you could honour someone by giving them a role in government or by giving them a place of honour at a feast. 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:35.639 But how do we honour a fool today? 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:36.759 What does that look like? 00:09:36.759 --> 00:09:42.740 I know I don't go around appointing politicians, though technically I do, but not really. 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:46.200 And I don't give people seats of honour at a feast. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:51.059 Well, we value, listen to and praise fools. 00:09:52.240 --> 00:10:00.899 We value, here's a long list, worldly friends, musicians, actors, media personalities, pastors even, 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:05.360 influencers, activists, politicians, and we listen to them. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:13.639 We uncritically consume and listen to their content on TV, social media, the internet, and things like Netflix. 00:10:13.639 --> 00:10:21.600 And we let their foolish, unbiblical way of thinking and values influence us. 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:25.399 And then we praise them, telling people how great they are. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:29.879 I've been thinking recently about the TV shows I watch. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:38.059 They're quite tame compared to today's standards, but 10 or 20 years ago they would have been scandalous. 00:10:39.580 --> 00:10:47.519 And if you compare what they value, these TV shows, to the Bible, I have to conclude that they're sinful and foolish. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:52.899 And yet I keep valuing, I keep listening, I keep praising. 00:10:55.319 --> 00:10:57.899 What fools are you honouring in your life? 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:07.720 In verse 2, we come to the only proverb in this passage which does not have the word fool, but it still describes them. 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:08.620 Look at verse 2. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:16.919 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight. 00:11:17.879 --> 00:11:20.779 Now this verse is a contrast to verse 1. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:25.820 Verse 1 told us that honouring a fool will cause damage. 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:33.259 Verse 2 tells us that a fool cursing someone who is blameless will not cause damage. 00:11:33.259 --> 00:11:38.220 And it's actually referring to cursing in the more mystical sense. 00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:44.379 You know, solemn utterances invoking supernatural harm on someone. 00:11:45.100 --> 00:11:49.659 But in a supernatural society, a curse would have caused worry and anxiety. 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:54.480 You'd be worried about that fool who just put a curse on you. 00:11:54.480 --> 00:12:01.399 But this verse is saying, when a fool curses you, you don't need to worry because it won't affect you. 00:12:01.440 --> 00:12:07.200 Just like how swallows and sparrows, they flit around but they never land. 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:14.120 Because God is the source of true blessing and curses, not fools. 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:17.360 Which brings us to verse 3. 00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:20.759 We've been told not to honour fools. 00:12:21.420 --> 00:12:22.720 How then should we deal with them? 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:24.960 We should discipline them. 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:25.920 Look at verse 3. 00:12:27.560 --> 00:12:33.120 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools. 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:34.920 That's pretty rough. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:39.220 He's essentially saying the fool is just as bad as an animal. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:44.820 You get an animal to do the right thing by bribing and whipping them. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:52.000 We might not like that here in this city, but I'm pretty sure that's still what farmers do out in the country. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:54.139 And the fool is the same. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.860 The only way he will do the right thing is through discipline. 00:12:58.340 --> 00:13:00.940 And this is so true of how we as humans operate. 00:13:02.040 --> 00:13:05.379 Last term, we looked at the doctrine of total depravity. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:10.080 That man is completely sinful and therefore he doesn't choose God. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:15.080 But then Corduwood said, this doesn't mean people are as sinful as they possibly can be. 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.460 Why not? 00:13:17.560 --> 00:13:19.980 Well, one reason is given in Romans 13. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:27.580 And Romans 13 says that it's God who installs governments to be a terror to bad conduct and to punish it. 00:13:27.580 --> 00:13:38.540 The reason our foolish society is not as bad as it can be is because God has given us a government which will discipline us. 00:13:39.400 --> 00:13:45.060 And the less a country has a government which can enforce the law, the more chaotic that nation becomes. 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:50.619 But I think this is not just talking about control but also correction. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:55.859 A whip and a bridle, they don't just control an animal. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:58.159 They steer them back in the right direction. 00:13:59.819 --> 00:14:06.779 While discipline is needed to control fools, it can also help correct them and lead them out of their foolish ways. 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:11.339 But how should we discipline a fool? 00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:14.879 Whacking people isn't really going to help. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:18.179 We see the answer in verses 4 and 5. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:21.759 We should discipline them with wise correction. 00:14:23.079 --> 00:14:26.779 Not according to their folly, but in a way their folly deserves. 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:30.019 Look at verses 4 and 5. 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:36.639 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:43.839 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes. 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:50.120 Now, there are two main schools of interpretation for these verses. 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:56.019 The first acknowledges that they were purposely placed side by side 00:14:56.019 --> 00:15:01.279 and argues that these verses demonstrate that we should not see Proverbs as absolutes, 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:04.899 but as generalisations which are sometimes true. 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:11.059 Therefore, what these verses are essentially saying is that sometimes you should respond to a fool. 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:15.199 You shouldn't respond to a fool because you'll be stooping to their level. 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:21.500 Or sometimes you should answer a fool because that's how they'll be saved from their foolishness. 00:15:22.319 --> 00:15:27.259 And it's up to you to wisely decide when to be quiet or when to speak up. 00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:33.019 Now, I think there is a time to be quiet and there is a time to speak, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.819 but I don't think that is what these verses are saying. 00:15:37.559 --> 00:15:44.480 The second way to interpret these verses can be demonstrated in the way the New American Standard Bible translates them. 00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:47.500 And then NASB says this, 00:15:47.500 --> 00:16:03.659 Let me read that again. 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:20.959 Notice that slight difference in how it doesn't give us an excuse to be quiet. 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:23.220 John MacArthur says, 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:28.080 Taken together, these verses teach the appropriate way to answer a fool, 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:31.000 e.g. an unbeliever who rejects the truth. 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:36.120 He should not be answered with agreement to his own ideas and presuppositions, 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:37.960 or he'll think he's right. 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:39.560 Verse 4. 00:16:39.560 --> 00:16:44.400 But he should be rebuked on the basis of his folly and shown the truth, 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:47.240 so he sees how foolish he is. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:48.080 Verse 5. 00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:49.400 End quote. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:55.340 I think these verses also mean if someone is speaking to us in a foolish way, 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.500 angry or argumentative, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.980 we don't respond in the same way. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:03.159 Instead, we respond in a way which will actually help them. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:08.799 A commentator, Fox, summarises all this by saying, 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:12.799 Don't answer a fool with behaviour similar to his. 00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:17.139 Answer a fool with an answer appropriate to his folly. 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:20.520 Now, what does this look like in practice? 00:17:22.020 --> 00:17:24.840 James 1, verse 19 helpfully says, 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:31.360 Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. 00:17:31.359 --> 00:17:39.779 When a friend, co-worker, family member, or another Christian is saying something not in line with God's word, 00:17:40.379 --> 00:17:46.619 we should remember the words of James and make sure we're quick to listen to what they are saying, 00:17:47.219 --> 00:17:49.159 thinking what could be behind these words. 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:52.340 And what does God actually say? 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:57.000 Maybe ask clarifying questions so you know what they are actually saying. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:18:04.519 Then reply, showing the foolishness behind what they're saying. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.660 We also need to be slow to anger. 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:12.299 When the conversation gets heated, remember Proverbs 15, verse 1. 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:17.160 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:21.660 And sometimes you might not know the answer there and then. 00:18:22.300 --> 00:18:23.620 You can't think on your feet. 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:26.259 It's okay to say, I don't know. 00:18:26.580 --> 00:18:28.300 I need more time to think about this. 00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:34.160 But make sure you actually do go away and think about it and come back to them. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:44.880 I think extroverts like myself are prone to speak too quickly and not listen and end up acting and saying foolish things. 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:52.740 And I think introverts are prone to not speak quickly and be able to see the folly but never speak. 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:54.560 And that's something you should keep in mind. 00:18:56.460 --> 00:18:57.900 How should we discipline a fool? 00:18:58.740 --> 00:19:00.500 With wise correction. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:07.279 Not according to their folly, but in a way their folly deserves. 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:10.880 Now this brings us back to the topic of honouring fools. 00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.759 Why should we not honour fools? 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:19.579 Well, verses 6 to 10 show us that when we get them to do something, they're dangerous and useless. 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:23.000 They're dangerous and useless when they use God's word. 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:27.400 Therefore, honouring them is dangerous and useless. 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:31.620 Now, verses 6 to 10, they form a chiasm. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.280 There's a weird word. 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:40.620 Now, a chiasm is a literary device in which a sequence of ideas is presented and they're repeated in reverse order. 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.660 It's like a mirror image. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:49.180 Now, often a chiasm will then include an idea in the middle that stands by itself. 00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:54.640 And by the fact of it being in the middle, it means it's emphasised and it's the main idea of the chiasm. 00:19:56.640 --> 00:20:01.460 And if my hand gestures and what I'm saying makes no sense, I'll show you as we go along. 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:05.600 So we're going to work our way from the outside in to the main idea. 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:11.619 And so the outer idea of the chiasm is seen in verses 6 and 10, which say this. 00:20:12.719 --> 00:20:18.759 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence. 00:20:19.419 --> 00:20:20.539 And then look at verse 10. 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:27.559 Like an archer who wounds everyone is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:29.980 They're both talking about hiring people and what happens. 00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:38.720 Verse 6 is saying getting a fool to send a message on your behalf is only going to cause damage to yourself. 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:43.559 They'll somehow mess up the message and cause you problems. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:48.099 This is a problem every primary teacher understands very well. 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:54.620 In verse 10, hiring a fool will not only cause damage to yourself, but to others. 00:20:54.619 --> 00:21:02.919 Notice, though, the comparison in verse 10 isn't to the fool, but it's to the one who hires a fool. 00:21:04.219 --> 00:21:07.599 There's a book and a movie called We Have to Talk About Kevin, 00:21:08.479 --> 00:21:14.719 where this psychopathic son commits a school shooting with a bow and arrow. 00:21:16.219 --> 00:21:22.619 If you hire a fool, it's like you're that son releasing terror on society. 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:30.039 Getting an ungodly fool to do something for yourself is useless because they will not achieve what you want. 00:21:30.819 --> 00:21:34.419 And it's dangerous because it will inflict injury onto yourself and to others. 00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:41.979 You only have to read a few chapters of the Bible or a history book or listen to the news for five minutes to see how true this is. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:48.400 We then now move into the next layer of the chiasm, verses 7 and 9, 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:53.099 which show us fools are useless and dangerous when using God's word. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.900 Look at verses 7 and 9. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:22:01.759 Like a lame man's legs which hang useless is a proverb in the mouth of fools. 00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:03.180 Verse 9. 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:17.620 Verse 7 shows us wisdom is not just about possessing proverbs or God's word. 00:22:18.740 --> 00:22:24.519 If you're a fool, it's not going to be any of use to you, just like a lame man's legs are no use to him. 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:28.480 Remember, fools despise wisdom and instruction. 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:34.680 If you don't come to God's word ready to submit to it, it's going to be useless to you. 00:22:35.860 --> 00:22:40.120 In verse 9, it's not only going to be useless to you, it may well be very dangerous. 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:50.579 This could mean, verse 9 could mean the drunk man doesn't realise he has a thorn in his hand because he's drunk. 00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:58.779 But it could also mean, it could also be referring to a drunk man holding a thorn bush and you don't know what he's going to do with it. 00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:05.960 Some people would translate it like a thorn bush in the hand of a man as opposed to like a thorn going into the hand of a man. 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:12.079 Now, when someone is drunk, they're hard to control and they do crazy things. 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:20.639 A fool, using God's word dangerously, can also cause damage. 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:22.879 And we see this often. 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:28.259 Journalist Julie Baird has been investigating domestic violence in the church 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:33.919 and has found that scripture has been misused and forced women into silence. 00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:40.539 Churches like Bethel and Hillsong perpetuate the word of faith and prosperity gospel heresies. 00:23:40.539 --> 00:23:45.740 That we can name and claim anything we want in faith and that God wants us to be healthy and wealthy. 00:23:47.159 --> 00:23:53.639 Now, these teachings have caused massive damage in the third world and have tarnished the reputation of the church. 00:23:55.279 --> 00:23:58.920 Fools are useless and dangerous when using God's word. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:04.680 Therefore, verse 8, honouring them is useless and dangerous. 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:08.299 Now, we've come to the middle and main idea of the chiasm. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:09.500 Look at verse 8. 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:17.139 Like one who binds the stone in a sling is one who gives honour to a fool. 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:22.460 Just like we saw in verse 1, don't honour fools. 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.460 Why? 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:30.259 It's like putting a rock in a sling, like a slingshot, but then binding it so that it can't come out. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:33.660 Imagine the David and Goliath story. 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:42.180 David goes to the creek, he picks up some rocks and then he puts it in his sling and then he ties his sling so the rock can't come out. 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:48.480 David tries to release the rock at Goliath, but it doesn't come out because he's tied it in the sling. 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:52.140 Goliath then reaches David and kills him in one stroke of the sword. 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:58.160 Honouring a fool is just like doing something as nonsensical as that. 00:24:58.160 --> 00:25:01.779 It's not only dangerous, it's useless. 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:06.600 If you go into a battle with a sling like that, it's useless. 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:11.300 And also, kids, it's dangerous to swing rocks around your head. 00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:15.139 You might hurt yourself or those around you. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:22.799 If you honour a fool, if you value them, if you listen to them, if you praise them, 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:28.500 you're being as stupid as someone who binds a stone in a sling. 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.879 Why should we not honour fools? 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:34.059 When we get them to do something, they're useless and dangerous. 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:36.819 They're useless and dangerous when using God's word. 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:40.980 Therefore, honouring them is useless and dangerous. 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:44.599 So is there any hope for a fool? 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.639 They let off curses. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.919 They're like animals. 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:52.680 Well, in verse 11, we see there is no hope in themselves. 00:25:53.159 --> 00:25:54.000 Look at verse 11. 00:25:55.839 --> 00:26:01.319 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. 00:26:02.899 --> 00:26:07.240 A dog will usually vomit because they've ate the wrong thing. 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:13.579 And because they're stupid animals, they can't help but go back to what just caused them the vomit 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:16.380 and go for seconds. 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:20.339 This is like a fool who keeps repeating his folly. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.980 He does something foolish. 00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:25.079 It has negative consequences. 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:28.339 But he finds himself going back to it. 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:33.399 Indeed, he disgustingly finds his foolishness desirable. 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:37.939 And this is a vivid way to describe the effect of sin in our lives, isn't it? 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:41.119 Like heroin addicts, we sin. 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:44.059 It has horrible effects. 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:47.459 But we love it and we keep going back to it. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:56.419 Peter quotes this verse in 2 Peter 2 verse 22 to describe those who turn away from Christ 00:26:56.419 --> 00:26:59.439 and go back to the sinful ways of the world. 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:03.939 He says, going down this path, they have no hope of salvation. 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:07.600 So is there any hope for a fool? 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.500 Not in themselves. 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:14.279 They're stuck in the cycle of folly and they don't have power to escape it. 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:22.600 Which brings us to verse 12, which shows there is hope for fools if they can admit they are fools. 00:27:22.840 --> 00:27:23.700 Look at verse 12. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:28.559 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:33.279 There is more hope for a fool than for him. 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:38.420 This proverb is the punchline to the whole passage. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:43.900 It's been talking about the sorry state of fools, but then says there is hope for them 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:46.460 compared to the person who is wise in his own eyes. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:50.900 And we're thinking, I thought the fool was wise in his own eyes. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:57.340 But it stops us in our tracks and makes us think, am I wise in my own eyes? 00:27:58.140 --> 00:28:01.460 I've been judging the fool, but am I a fool? 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:05.819 And we have to go back through the passage and ask the questions. 00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:09.220 Do I baselessly curse others? 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:13.259 Do I only do the right thing to avoid negative consequences? 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:15.879 Do I say foolish things? 00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:19.279 Has God's word been ineffective in my life? 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:26.859 Do I find myself repeatedly going back to my sin, causing myself harm, but disgustingly enjoying it? 00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:29.959 Am I wise in my own eyes? 00:28:30.399 --> 00:28:32.559 Not looking to God for wisdom. 00:28:33.919 --> 00:28:38.979 There is no hope for a fool if they remain wise in their own eyes, 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:41.479 because they would never admit they are fools. 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:48.199 But there is hope when by the grace of God they hear the wise correction of others 00:28:48.199 --> 00:28:50.000 and can admit they've been fools. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:29:00.480 What is repentance? 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:03.059 It's a change of mind. 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:05.500 It's turning from your sin to God. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:10.200 It's admitting to God that you have been sinful and foolish. 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:16.500 Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1, 26-30. 00:29:16.559 --> 00:29:17.519 You might like to turn there. 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:20.220 He says this, 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:22.839 For consider your calling, brothers. 00:29:23.920 --> 00:29:26.779 Not many of you were wise according to worldly standards. 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:28.059 Not many were powerful. 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:30.359 Not many were of noble birth. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:35.700 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:39.680 God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:43.079 God chose what is low and despised in the world, 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:46.799 even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are. 00:29:46.799 --> 00:29:51.099 So that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:54.519 And because of him, you are in Christ, 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:57.220 who became to us wisdom from God, 00:29:58.000 --> 00:30:01.639 righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.339 So that as it is written, 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:06.960 let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:14.100 The Christian is the person who sees they're foolish and comes to Christ and says, 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:16.019 I am sinful and foolish. 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:19.840 I need you to be my righteousness and wisdom. 00:30:20.660 --> 00:30:23.000 That's why the Christian cannot boast in themselves. 00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:24.759 That's why they boast in the Lord. 00:30:25.299 --> 00:30:27.420 That's why they can't be wise in their own eyes. 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:31.700 Because the Christian is the one who admits they could never have been smart enough 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:34.240 or good enough to save themselves. 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:36.680 That's why Christ had to die. 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:43.460 It's this paradox that for us to be wise, we first have to admit we are fools. 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:48.600 Now, I must ask, have you admitted you're a fool to God? 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:51.140 Have you acknowledged your sin to God? 00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:54.820 Or have you been wise in your own eyes, thinking you don't need him? 00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:58.560 Christ calls you today and says, 00:30:59.540 --> 00:31:00.300 you've been a fool. 00:31:01.020 --> 00:31:02.120 You've rejected me. 00:31:03.300 --> 00:31:06.380 You have no hope in yourself, but trust in me. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.620 I took the rod. 00:31:08.780 --> 00:31:11.600 I took the wrath that you deserve. 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:15.320 You are foolish, but I am wisdom. 00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:18.460 You are sinful, but I am righteousness. 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:21.880 You can't change yourself, but I am sanctification. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:25.120 You can't redeem yourself, but I am redemption. 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:27.539 Christ says, repent. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.299 Admit your sin. 00:31:29.660 --> 00:31:31.340 Admit your foolishness and trust in me. 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:35.500 Now, if you are a Christian, 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:39.799 someone who has admitted to God that you are sinful and foolish, 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:43.660 entrusted in him to be your righteousness and wisdom, 00:31:43.660 --> 00:31:48.480 the only way you'll be able to not honour fools 00:31:48.480 --> 00:31:53.480 and instead wisely correct them is by continually looking to Christ. 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:58.480 Because of our foolishness, we deserve dishonour from God 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:00.779 and we deserve his punishment. 00:32:01.600 --> 00:32:03.920 But Christ came and took our dishonour. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:05.220 He took our punishment. 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:09.799 So that now in him, we've become honourable. 00:32:11.380 --> 00:32:16.360 As you meditate on this, you will value Christ more and more 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:18.640 and you'll want to honour Christ more and more, 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:22.720 which will stop you from honouring and valuing the fools of this world, won't it? 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:28.000 This will also give you the courage to want to correct fools 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:29.019 in need of God's wisdom. 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:32.299 We aren't good at correcting people, are we? 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:36.000 We can be harsh or judgmental. 00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:41.720 But as you focus on Christ, you'll remember your foolishness 00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:46.379 and his love, which will empower your correction 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:49.799 to always be accompanied by love and humility. 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.900 And that's what people need in correction, isn't it? 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:55.420 Don't honour fools, honour Christ. 00:32:56.059 --> 00:32:58.940 And lovingly correct fools empowered by Christ. 00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:00.400 Let's pray. 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:09.460 Lord, we admit our foolishness to you today. 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:16.960 We live our lives not in awe of you, not fearing you, not loving you, 00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.579 without reference to you, Lord. 00:33:19.980 --> 00:33:22.940 And we honour the foolish things of the world, Lord. 00:33:23.059 --> 00:33:26.259 But we're thankful for Christ who can make us wise, 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:27.599 who brings us back to you. 00:33:27.599 --> 00:33:34.139 Lord, who helps us lovingly correct the fools of this world. 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:38.159 Lord, help us do these things by your spirit, 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:40.679 empowered by what Christ has done for us through this week. 00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:42.619 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.279 神less are a witness. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:43.659 Amen. 00:33:43.739 --> 00:33:43.799 Amen. 00:33:43.799 --> 00:33:44.259 Amen. 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.099 Amen. 00:33:45.099 --> 00:33:45.759 Amen. 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.379 Amen. 00:33:46.379 --> 00:33:46.859 Amen. 00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:46.899 Amen. 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:47.439 Amen. 00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:47.759 Amen. 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:48.079 Amen. 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:48.379 Amen.