Proverbs 26:1-16
Two groups of people fall under Solomon's verbal assault. In verses 1-11, Solomon levels his verbal attacks on ‘fools’. Most of the parables are fairly straightforward, but a couple have unique challenges. Verses 4-5 seem to be contradicting if we take them separately, but together they teach us it is useless to try to teach a fool. Verse 8 shows us that honor has a great use, but with the fool it is useless. Verse 9 shows us that fools actually hurt those to whom they would give advice. What is wrong with the fool? It is not a lack of knowing but rather a resistance to learning to do what is right. No one is so stupid as the person who knows it all. Add to this attitude of moral compromise, and you have a fool, as seen in verse 12.
One rung down from a fool is the slugger. versus 13 to 16. Rest is good and holy, but the slugger is not pursuing rest; there is a self-satisfied presumption of having arrived at the apex of life. It is that the world will not cooperate. Self-satisfaction is a grave moral failure.
"Lord, keep me from being a fool or a sluggard. AMEN."
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