May 26, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 26
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Following Scripture Verses

1. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.
2. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.
3. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.
4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
6. He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage.
7. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
8. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
9. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.
11. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.
12. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
13. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.
14. As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15. The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.
16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.
17. He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
18. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,
19. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?
20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23. Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Today's Pathway:
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"Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit." - Proverbs 26:5

As we mentioned last month, some have accused Solomon of being contradictory in his statements in verses 4 and 5 of this chapter. Modernists have even suggested that the book of Proverbs is not divinely inspired because of these conflicts. Obviously, this is not the case. Solomon is offering two different scenarios for dealing with fools, and the wise man will need to determine which one is applicable in his given situation.

In today's verse, we have a man who is speaking foolish things. Solomon advises his son to go to that man and rebuke him so that he will realize that he is incorrect in his thinking. Whereas the fool of verse 4 apparently will not listen, the fool of verse 5 may respond, for he will stop being "wise in his own conceit".

There is a great danger that exists in allowing someone to teach falsely. If someone doesn't tell him that he is wrong, he is going to assume that he must be right. How many times have we listened as someone made comments about the Bible that were incorrect, or made statements about our nation that had no basis in truth? How often have you thought to yourself, "That guy doesn't know what he's talking about", yet you never made any attempt to explain to him his error? Many times we simply keep quiet because we don't want to stir up trouble. However, our silence emboldens the fool.

When we encounter an ignorant man, we will have to determine whether or not he is teachable. If he is not, then we should not sink to his level. However, if he might be willing to change if shown the truth, then we have an obligation to give him that truth.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery