What Kind of Fool? (Rewind)
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel. Proverbs 20:3 NASB
Fool – Proverbs employs several different words for the English “fool.” Knowing which one makes a big difference. “Fool” can be the translation of ‘ewil (as it is here), or kesil or nabal. Sometimes it is even the translation of the Hebrew lets (usually “scoffer”). There are differences not captured in English. ‘ewil is someone who not only lacks sense but is morally deficient or corrupt. In Hebrew, the word “fool” doesn’t usually describe a person without commonsense or street savvy. It is not about someone who is stupid. It is about someone who either ignores the moral government of God or acts in opposition to God’s sovereign reign or both. Kesil is someone who is simply ignorant of the moral demands of God. While this person acts against God’s instructions at the time, it is still possible for an awakening since his disobedience is not deliberate. For this person, Leviticus provides restoration and renewed access to the Kingdom. But ‘ewil is in far more trouble. He acts with intentional disregard for what he knows to be true, claiming that as long as no immediate consequences befall him, no real harm is done. He operates on the moral principle of what he can get away with. He is a walking, waiting disaster. He is a man who has all the answers and proudly announces such. But they are lies.
Then there is the nabal. This word is used sometimes to describe a false prophet. This is a person who shames his parents, disregards civility, runs at the mouth and will eventually die a disrespectful death. He has no fear of God or Man and his life displays the consequences of this attitude. Proverbs strongly suggests avoiding such a person since this attitude about life will also lead others astray.
Finally, there is lets. This is a person of contempt; one who mocks and ridicules. Amazingly, our culture often idolizes such Cretans as if scoffing or taunting others is a mark of supremacy. We might want to reconsider the real impact of making jokes at another’s expense. This man satirizes his opponents, derides their morality and generally jeers at any ethics he does not wish to endorse. As far as the biblical text is concerned, such a person is without hope in the olam ha’ba. It is far better to simply walk away than to engage this kind of fool. In at least one sense, even God has written him off.
If you run across a kesil, there is still time for recovery. The only obstacle to a morally upright life is education (by the way, this is not “information”). Ignorance is not bliss. In this case, it is considerable danger. But if you encounter an ‘ewil, you will know as soon as his mouth opens that there is no end to his protests and he is a bottomless pit in his demands. Let him go. No honor is found in arguing with one who does not wish to learn. As for the other two “fools,” take the first “Exit” you can find.
Topical Index: fool, ‘ewil, kesil, nabal, lets, Proverbs 20:3
From Martin Armstrong financial blog. It appears that there are fools in every venue.
The Closed Mind Discovers Nothing but Bias
A number of people have been writing in to say how they just discovered the mathematical constant π (pi) in a quantum mechanics formula for the energy states of the hydrogen atom. This is truly astonishing proving this is a fundamental cornerstone of nature.
While I discover the existence of pi in the business cycle, it has been widely discovered in many other fields. What this proves is precisely what I have been saying all along — there is an interesting order being masked as chaos. This hidden order is fundamental to everything. This hidden order behind chaos or the appearance of randomness has led many to assume that the world is subject to our will, and therefore, we can manipulate the world, including the economy, to do as we desire. This is just not true. There is a hidden order behind everything if we just explore.
Perhaps these are the degrees of insanity? Each one leads farther away from vulnerability, trust, and ability to interact or listen (be instructed).
Kesil. Its relatively easy to say “oh, I didn’t know”.
Ewil. More defensiveness here. I guess when you know you are skating on thin ice, you have to be moving faster.
Nabal. “No fear of God or man”. This is the where you can start to see the attitude of ‘I am going to get you before you get me’.
Lets. Full blown attack. “The wicked rage”. This person’s pain is totally transposed onto others, and others are now his enemy. The hatred has ripened on the tree.
A good summary of the progression. We should also note that the Bible tells us to NOT deal with the latter two. Just leave them. Get away. They are God’s problem, not ours.
How many ex’s fall under the last two…so sad.
This is soooooooo helpful !!!
a fool is one who “chooses to think” only about one’s self this is in direct violation of Torah a fool chooses to ‘ruin’ the potential for a ‘Good” relationship with YHWH or others
“But ‘ewil is in far more trouble. He acts with intentional disregard for what he knows to be true, claiming that as long as no immediate consequences befall him, no real harm is done.” …. being deceived.
” He is a man who has all the answers and proudly announces such. But they are lies.” Reason? Actions and attitudes speak louder than words!
“nabal… describes a false prophet. This is a person who shames his parents, disregards civility… has no fear of God or Man and his life displays the consequences of this attitude… about life, will also lead others astray.” This would be foolishness.
“No honor is found in arguing with one who does not wish to learn”. Too full of self/no humility. Empty vessels makes the most noise. Sad.
This article helped me a lot ..I was wondering what to do with a special friend that is the fools wife?Any suggestions?