A simple fool (March 31), a steadfast fool (April 1), and a scorning fool (April 2) leads us to think about a fourth kind of fool pictured in the Bible, the silly fool.
Proverbs 1: 7 states - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." The word for fools here in the Hebrew is eviyl. It means according to Strong's Concordance - silly. According to Unger's Bible Dictionary: "A fool is a person who casts off
the fear of God, and acts as if he could safely disregard the eternal
principles of God's righteousness." In other words he lives as though
there is no God.
The word in Hebrew pictures one who is thick - or thick-headed. It is the idea of one being stupid. A silly fool is one who rejects instruction because he thinks his way is right. His mouth often gets him in trouble. In fact, the writer of proverbs tells us that "Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." Or, as the modern day proverb (attributed to Abraham Lincoln) puts it, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
It is often hard to discuss anything with such a person because they "know" what is right, They don't say it, but it comes across - "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up."
Today, consider how you might remain open to learn from the truth in God's Word. Who can you find to make the journey of study with you? How can you be sure that what you know is right? Pray and seek the wisdom that comes from above (James 3:17) as you spend time in God's Word.
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