In my growing up years, which shape so much of our later perceptions, the word “fool” was a simple yet gently chiding description of the boy on the school bus who dropped his lunch box in the mud puddle and then carried it dripping dirty wet dribbles all the way to the last seat on the bus. Or the one who said the silliest things, the class clown. In that particular sphere of influence, “fool” meant silly, ridiculous, even irresponsible. That was then and this is now.
Now the sphere of influence is you, women who are about the business of knowing what God has done, is doing, and will do. And rejoicing over the hope and possibilities because He sent His Son Jesus to rescue and redeem us!
As we are diving back into the Psalms and Proverbs this week, I found it a worthy few minute side note to consider what the Lord intends us to understand when we read “fool” in His Word.
Only seven times in the entirety of the 150 Psalms in the Bible does the word “fool” or “fools” appear. The descriptor “foolish” as in foolish nation, foolish man, foolish woman, foolish confidence appears 43 times. In Proverbs, on the other hand, we will read it regularly … more than 60 times in just 31 Proverbs. So it’s worth considering this word’s meaning on God’s terms rather than the school bus source of my youth.
In Psalm 53, we start right off with a convicting description of the fool:
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. Psalm 53.1
There is no God? Until you are introduced to God and eventually believe Jesus came to rescue you, that is where we all are. We may not have said those words, but we lived like we were in control or wanted to be in control, or we gave control of ourselves over to someone else. Even kindnesses extended and good deeds undertaken were done with an idea of earning favor, getting on someone’s good side, gaining points in the game of life. Of thinking “I’m all that and a bag of chips!” to quote a beloved woman. Playing the fool.
In the introduction to the book of Proverbs in the ESV Study Bible, I found some helpful meanings of the use of the word “fool” or “foolish” in the Bible.
- Stupid, dullard, arrogant
- Close-minded
- Self-confident
- Steadily opposed to God’s covenant
- Resists even the offer of forgiveness found in the covenant
- Dangerous in their influence
- But not beyond hope
Go ahead and re-read that list. When I consider it in terms of my own attitudes and behaviors, I’m convicted and repentant. But most of all, I am so grateful for that last bullet point. But not beyond hope!
For a wayward one, for a don’t-want-to-hear-it one, for a crotchety loved one, for the me-first one, and the power-hungry and influence-hungry one, there is hope! We read of this best news in Psalm 107.
Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! Psalm 107.17-22 (emphasis added by me)
Acknowledging I needed to change and my inability to change myself, to save myself – that’s the game changer for me and for other fools. So when we read of the fool in Psalms and Proverbs, it’s not just a silly person. It’s a lost person who is acting out corruptly and arrogantly, shaking a fist at the authority of God. And yet hope abides for those who submit their past to God and trust their day and the future to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Amen and amen!
Trusting the Lord with you, Colleen