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A Life of Folly in Proverbs
A Life of Folly in Proverbs
Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart gave this short analysis of the life of folly as taught in the book of Proverbs:
Proverbs continually presents a sharp contrast between choosing the life of wisdom and choosing the life of folly. What characterizes the life of folly? Such things as
· violent crime (1:10–19; 4:14–19),
· careless promising or pledging (6:1–5),
· laziness (6:7–11),
· malicious dishonesty (6:12–15),
· and sexual impurity, which is especially odious to God and harmful to an upright life (2:16–19; 5:3–20; 6:23–35; 7:4–27; 9:13–18; 23:26–28).
Besides urging the opposites of these as the life of wisdom, Proverbs also urges such things as
· caring for the poor (2:22, 27),
· respect for government leaders (23:1–3; 24:21–22),
· the importance of disciplining children (23:13–14),
· moderation in consumption of alcohol (23:19–21, 29–35),
· and regard for one’s parents (23:22–25). *
Years ago, I read (although I did not verify this) that Alexander Campbell required his children to memorize the book of Proverbs. That sounded like a great idea for my children until I realized I would have to memorize it first in order to test them. Now I see that perhaps it would have been a good idea, not for them especially, but for ME.
1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:1-5
How much do we really desire the wisdom and knowledge of God? Perhaps we are just fooling ourselves?
Hugh DeLong
*Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart: How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth, pg. 232, Logos Edition
