Fools

God's word has a lot to say about fools. The book of Proverbs is filled with verses about the fool. Here is an example from Proverbs 26:1-12:

As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.

The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

I was surprised to find out that when the Lord Jesus Christ was listing the things that come out of the heart of man, to defile the man, one of the things He listed was foolishness! Mar 7:20-23.

When it comes to death, though, the fool and the wise man are the same:

For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. Ecc. 2:16

But wisdom itself is a paradox. The minute you say that you are wise, you become a fool. The ultimate wisdom/foolish paradox is the cross:

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; I Cor 1:18-27

So then? What do we do? I am beginning to understand the paradox. If you want to be wise, become a fool for God. Any true wisdom comes from the Father above. The Word admonishes us:

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1Cr 3:18

Just like if you want to save your life you must lose it, so if you want to be wise in the Lord, understand that you are a fool. Then you will understand Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 1Cr 10:15