Lesson12 PROVERBS part 3
THE LOWDOWN ON FOOLS
1. A. Proverbs 26 is devoted to the exposure of the fool. In your own words, what is a fool? _
B. See if you can find the 7 characteristics of a fool mentioned in chapter 26. ______
Proverbs 26:1 (AMP) 1 LIKE SNOW in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.
Proverbs 26:3 (AMP) 3 a whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.
Proverbs 26:4 (AMP) answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Proverbs 26:5 (AMP) 5 answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.
Proverbs 26:6 (AMP) He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage.
Proverbs 26:7 (AMP) 7 Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool.
Proverbs 26:8 (AMP) 8 Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.
Proverbs 26:11 (AMP) 11 as a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly.
2.Three Hebrew words are translated “fool” nabal = stupid, wicked; kciyl = materialistic and insensitive; evil = perverse (unreasonable, stubborn, willfully doing wrong, perverted, cranky, peevish). The root meaning of all 3 words suggests someone àmoral or morally neutral.
A) Describe the materialistic/insensitive fool. ______
B) Describe the stupid, wicked fool. ______
C) Describe the perverse fool. ______
D) Have you ever known someone who fit one of those bills? Y___ N ___
3. A. Read Proverbs 26:1. What is this verse saying? ______
Proverbs 26:1 (AMP) 1 LIKE SNOW in summer and like rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a [self-confident] fool.
B. Why would honor NOT be fitting for a fool? ______
C. Would an àmoral - morally neutral person be a God fearer? Y ___ N___
D. As a Christian, is it reasonable to honor an ungodly person? Y ___ N___ Do we, do it?
E. Read Proverbs 26:8. What does God think about our doing it? ______
Proverbs 26:8 (AMP) 8 Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool.
F. Why would it not be a wise thing to bind the stone in its sling? ______
G. Would honoring a dishonorable man accomplish anything different? Y ___ N___
Explain. ______
4.A. Read Proverbs 26:2. How intimidating is a bird flitting around and/or a swallow in flight? _
B. When a fool (the ungodly) spits out a causeless curse (to the godly). How effective is it against a man/woman of God? ______
C. See Numbers 23:8. If there is no reason for the curse, do you need to fear it? Y_ N_
Numbers 23:8 (AMP) 8 how can I curse those God has not cursed? Or how can I [violently] denounce those the Lord has not denounced?
D. What if there is a reason? ______
5. A. Read Proverbs 26:3. Why does a jockey use a crop on his horse? ______
Proverbs 26:3 (AMP) 3 a whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a [straight, slender] rod for the backs of [self-confident] fools.
B. Why would you put a bridle on a donkey? ______
C. Why would a lazy man need a rod (prod) in the back? ______
D. Does God ever use a rod to prod foolish people and/or nations? Y___N ___
Why/why not? ______
6. A. Read Proverbs 26:4-5. Do you think that there are times when a fool is so foolish it is just notworth your effort (to lower yourself to his standard), so just ignore him?
Y___N ___
Proverbs 26:4-5 (AMP) 4 answer not a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. 5 Answer a [self-confident] fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes and conceit.
B. Do you think there are other times however, that fools say something in ignorance, that if you don’t speak, he will think you must agree, and consider himself so wise? Y ___N ___
C. How did Jesus handle the fools in Matthew 16:2-4? ______
Matthew 16:2-4 (AMP) 2 He replied to them, when it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,3 And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.4 A wicked and morally unfaithful generation craves a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then He left them and went away.
D. How did Jesus handle the fools in Matthew 21:23-24? ______
Matthew 21:23-24 (AMP) 23 And when He entered the sacred enclosure of the temple, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, by what power of authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this power of authority? 24 Jesus answered them, I also will ask you a question, and if you give me the answer, then I also will tell you by what power of authority I do these things.
E. How did Jesus handle the fools in Matthew 21:25a? ______
Matthew 21:25 (AMP) 25 the baptism of John—from, where was it? From heaven or from men? And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, from heaven, He will ask us, why then did you not believe him?
F. How did Jesus handle the fools in Matthew 21:25b-26? ______
Matthew 21:25-26 (AMP) 25 The baptism of John—from, where was it? From heaven or from men? And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, from heaven, He will ask us, why then did you not believe him? 26 But if we say, from men—we are afraid of and must reckon with the multitude, for they all regard John as a prophet.
G. How did Jesus handle the fools in Matthew 21:27? ______
Matthew 21:27 (AMP) 27 so they answered Jesus, we do not know. And He said to them, neither will I tell you by what power of authority I do these things.
H. Personal When a fool approaches you, are you discerning enough to know when to cast your pearls and when not?
I. Why is that so important? ______
7. A. Read Proverbs 26:6-9. Is it ever wise to put your trust in a fool? Y ___ N___ Why? ___
Proverbs 26:6-9 (AMP) 6 He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off the feet [of satisfactory delivery] and drinks the damage. 7 Like the legs of a lame man which hang loose, so is a parable in the mouth of a fool. 8 Like he who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a [self-confident] fool. 9 Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man, so is a proverb in the mouth of a [self-confident] fool.
B. If something important needs to be done, do you send someone reliable or someone un- reliable? ______Why? ______
C. How would sending someone unreliable with a message be like cutting off your feet, and/or then having to drink the damage? (V6) ______
D. (V7) Would you say that the legs of a lame man are unbalanced? Y___ N ___
E. How “balanced” would the words of the fool be? ______Why? ______
F. Who prompts the “wisdom” of unregenerate men?______
G. (V9) How dangerous do you think it is having a drunk person waving a thorny branch around indiscriminately? ______
H. Why would it be more dangerous having a drunk do this than a sober person? ______
I. Why is it more dangerous listening to a fool spout parables, than someone righteous? _
J. Why would a Christian embrace worldly council? ______
8.(V11). How sad is the state of a fool who returns to his folly and/or sin? How much more sad is the plight of the backslider?
A) See Romans 8:8. ______
Romans 8:8 (AMP) 8 so then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him.
B) Romans 7:17. ______
Romans 7:17 (AMP) 17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me.
C) Proverbs 26:12. ______
Proverbs 26:12 (AMP) 12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes and conceit? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool than for him.
D) Romans 1:21-22.______
Romans 1:21-22 (AMP) 21 Because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. But instead they became futile and godless in their thinking [with vain imaginings, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations] and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].
9. The 7 characteristics were: unworthy of honor, virtually harmless, stubborn, insensitive, unreliable, punishable, and hopeless. Which characteristic went with which proverb?______
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