“Let a man meet a [ferocious] bear robbed of her cubs Rather than the [angry, narcissistic] fool in his folly.” Proverbs 17:12 AMP

At first, I was going to skip over this verse, but I could not resist the frankness of King Solomon! AS I read this verse, I cannot help but see the image of this generation screaming bloody murder about the right to destroy their own lives. We have seen picture after picture of young people in fits of anger demanding to get their own way. It seems like anything that gets between them and what they want is fair game. As we have seen a number of times throughout our study of Proverbs, a fool just cannot be reasoned with! Grizzly bears are notoriously aggressive and violent in defense of their offspring. There is no reasoning with them; no trying to explain that you are simply minding your own business or possibly even trying to help! If you should happen to have the unfortunate opportunity to get between the mom and her cub, you mostly will not survive! Very few encounters with a grizzly end in a good outcome! Now, if that is the case, Solomon tells us that you have more of a chance with that encounter than one with a fool!

The Hebrew word fool here is the word meaning to be “utterly stupid.” Oh man! That is politically incorrect! It references a person who is completely lacking logic, reason, and understanding, implying to be a rebel against an accepted standard or person. The word folly then is the practice of leading others astray from the truth. We have seen this truth in the book of Romans.

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive, 29until they were filled (permeated, saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice and mean-spiritedness. They are gossips [spreading rumors], 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors [of new forms] of evil, disobedient and disrespectful to parents, 31without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity]. 32Although they know God’s righteous decree and His judgment, that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them, but they even [enthusiastically] approve and tolerate others who practice them.”

Romans 1:28-32 AMP

Notice that the move away from logic and reason is a refusal to acknowledge God! The Greek word for acknowledge means to “retain or possess.” We are called not only to know the Word and ways of God but to possess them! Every picture of the Old Testament Hebrew showed the importance of the Word of God. It was to forever in their mind and demonstrated by the square box tied to their forehead. The tassels hanging from their cloths represented being surrounded by God’s Word. The door post of the house was adorned with the Word of God as a reminder of its importance. We read in the book of Psalms,

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].”

Psalms 119:9 AMP

“Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Psalms 119:11 AMP

God’s Word always produces a response. It is either unto agreement and repentance or rejection and a stiffer neck. The anger we see demonstrated by those bent on destroying themselves and others is simply a sign that they will suddenly be broken!

“He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized), Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.” Proverbs 29:1 AMP

We know that God does not glory in judgement. This is clear that He has made a way for all to be restored to His image. Our assignment is not to get into vain and worthless arguments but rather to live in such a way that gives glory to Him and draws others to the throne of grace!

Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken