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Fool’s of the Bible I am sure April 1st has come on a Sunday before, but this is the first time I am aware of it. For some unknown reason to me, April 1st is "April Fool’s Day." The exact origin of April Fools Day is not known. Some say the French in the 1500’s were the first ones to acknowledge this day. In 1582 Pope Gregory ordered a new Calendar, called the Gregorian calendar. This is the calendar we use today. It established January 1st as the beginning of a new year. Some in France refused to accept this new fangled calendar and still recognized April 1st as the 1st day of the New Year. Those that accepted the Gregorian calendar called those that did not "fools." It quickly became custom to play pranks on one another on April 1st. This got me to thinking about different fools in the Bible. They are fools because of their traits and how they act. Let us look at some of these fools. Fools do not recognize the existence of God. "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none who does good. (Ps 14:1) This is repeated in Psalm 53.1. For one to deny the existence of God, he must reject the very proofs that God has given us. Romans 1.20 speaks of God’s power being seen in the universe. Psalm 19.1 says the heavens declare the glory of God and his handiwork. In order for man to state that God does not exist, he must know everything about our universe and existence. He must accept the premise that the Universe is either eternal, which can not be true according to the laws of science and matter, or the Universe created itself. Such an idea is foolish. Despite evidence to the contrary, the atheist must believe in that which makes no sense and can not be proven. Fools do not listen to others. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise." (Proverbs 12:15) This is expressed a little differently in Proverbs 18.2 "A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart." There are times we need to listen to the advice of others. Older women are told to instruct younger women in Titus 2. A young lady who refuses to listen to those who have already reared their children, taken care of their husbands, and run a home, is not wise. Paul instructed Timothy in being an evangelist in 1 & 2 Timothy. A young preacher who does not listen to the advice of older and more experienced preachers is being foolish. Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "We must learn from the mistakes of others, because we don’t have enough time to make all of them ourselves." Wisdom listens to instruction and avoids those mistakes. Fools lack self-discipline. We live in a highly undisciplined society. This lack of self control can be seen in many areas. People go to a ballgame and get so carried away by the events that they throw things on the court or get into fights. "A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. 17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated." (Proverbs 14.16-17) There are times we may be provoked to anger, but we are not to use such provocation as an excuse to sin. A lack of self discipline can be seen in how people dress, the profanity they speak, their laziness, and many other areas. A fool rejects his father’s instruction. "A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who receives correction is prudent." (Proverbs 15.5). Parents have a grave responsibility in bringing up their children in the ways of the Lord. This is not made easier by a society that is quick to criticize those that discipline their children. However, some parents do a good job of teaching, instructing, and disciplining their children. In the end the child may rebel and do what they want instead of what is right. Some times they do so and then blame their parents for their mistakes. They refuse to take responsibility for their own actions. Such a person is a fool. A fool does not learn from their mistakes. I do not know the person that defined insanity as, "Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results", but it describes a fool. "As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly." (Proverbs 26:11) We all make mistakes, but the wise learn from theirs, the fool does not. The person who gets hooked on drugs and then goes in rehabilitation, only to get back on drugs is a fool. People who gamble away all they have in hope of hitting the "big jackpot" are fools. Industries such as alcohol and gambling requires people to be foolish with their money and health. A fool does not watch what they say. "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up" (Ecclesiastes 12.10). Jesus said we will account for every idle word we speak, Matthew 12. How often do people say things they do not mean? It is hard to undo the damage we may cause by saying some thing in haste. The wise considers what he says before he says it. A fool does not prepare for eternity. In Luke 12, Jesus describes a very successful businessman. He was a good farmer, his harvest was bountiful. He was industrious, tearing down his barns so as to build bigger barns. He was preparing for his retirement, a time when he could sit back and take it easy. Yet, he is called a fool. "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'" (Luke 12.20) To go through life without preparing for your death is foolish. We know we are going to eventually die. We know we are going to stand before God in judgment. Why would anyone not provide at least as much concern about their soul as they would their finances? Yet many people go through life without ever reading their Bible and doing what God says is necessary to go to heaven. Such a person is a fool. Let us follow the wise and not the fools of this life. D.T. |