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What is Folly in the Bible?
Father,
as we look at the Fools in Your Word, I ask that you would help us to be humble enough to recognize these elements in our own lives. Come, Holy Spirit, breathe on this word study and help each one of us to get what we need out of it today. Help us to be teachable, and moldable in the Right ways. Thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
So what does it mean to be a fool in the Bible? The basic idea is that you set yourself in opposition to God. That is the heart of folly, also known as pride. We each have parts of ourselves which are foolish, and different aspects of folly that we prefer. The journey through sanctification and to theosis is marked by growing humility, so that the Holy Spirit, also known as Wisdom, in Proverbs, can excise those parts of us that are not Christ-like. Those were big words, really they are two ways to say the same thing. They both point to the same truth, which is that at the end of a Christian’s life, he or she should be so much like Jesus that God can’t stay away from him or her. That is the endgame for wisdom. However, that is not the point of this particular devotion. Today’s purpose is to talk about the opposite, the Fool. In the Hebrew Bible, we see 5 or 6 words that all get translated as “fool” in English. English is weird that way. Here are the fools:
Pethi:
We met this one last week, he is the simple fool, just open to whatever comes. He can be directed either towards wisdom or to the way of the Fool. he does not necessarily lack intelligence, just discernment. This person will fall in line with whatever is around them. If they are in an environment rich with wise mentors, they are more likely to be shaped in that way. If they are left to their own devices, they are likely to harden into some form of fool. This is the default nature of humanity. (a child or a young person)
Eviyl:
This is the proud rebel. He knows what is best for him, or thinks he does, and will act on it. Come what may, he will do his own thing, live from his own truth. Eviyl actually means stupid fool, but not mentally deficient, but morally and spiritually. (Think of Frank Sinatra, here... I did it my way... My way or the highway)
Luwts:
This is the scoffer or mocker. He is not just morally inept and willfiul in his pride, but will mock anyone who dares say anything contrary to his opinions or feelings. This is the person who rags on someone for doing something that didn’t end well, only to emulate that person in the end. This is the guy or gal who is so set in their understanding that they react almost violently to anyone who says something negative about it. (These are the SJWs or even religious leaders, self-righteous, cocky, self-assured, and ready to smack you silly for saying anything they do not approve of)
Keciyl:
This is like the next step for the eviyl fool, where the eviyl is simply rebellious, the keciyl is more hardened in their pride. There is no humility, no teachability in them. These fools are on their way to becoming a nabal. Pray for them. Keep trying to reach them, but do not shelter them from the fallout of their choices, as that will only enable them to stay as they are. They need hard rock bottom.
Atsel:
This is the lazy fool, the sluggard who, like George Costanza or the stereotypical stoner, might work hard to not work at all at what they are supposed to be doing. They have laziness down to an art form. They have their own idea of what life should be like, and it should be easy for them. They will not keep at anything, other than in the interest of maintaining their own lazy lifestyle. They are proud, will boast, but then not follow through because they are chronically incapable of doing so. They may scoff at you for challenging their choices, but their words will almost always be devoid of real meaning. They can be reached, but it takes allot.
Nabal:
Named after Abigail’s husband, who refused to host David or even help him against Saul. These are the furthest gone of the fools. They are completely high on their own fumes. They cannot hear anything negative about themselves or their lives from anyone. They know what is best, and that is that, period. This type of fool is the endgame, it is almost impossible to bring a nabal fool back to the light, but do not write them off. Keep trying, as the Holy Spirit leads.
So, now that we have this information, which pieces of these categories of people do we see in ourselves? Where do we need to repent? Where does the Holy Spirit need greater permission from us to do His work? Let’s invite Him to do what He wants today.
Holy Spirit,
I confess my pride. I know that I can be cocky. I know that I can dig in my heels to get my way. I repent of these traits. I want to give up my pride, but I don’t know how. Help me grow wise. Thank you, Lord.
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