Proverbs 12:15, Sir Oracle!

June 13, Proverbs 12:15

Eph. 2:8-10 “That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Cor. 1:29)

Sir Oracle!

The fool in Psalm 14, Prov. 17:7 is nabal, which means empty, senseless, insulting, arrogant, irreligious and presumptuous! He’s not the kind of person we like to be around! The fool (evil) in this verse is not much better. This word is the opposite of understanding (tebunah, Pr. 2:2, 3, 6, 11). He is, however, more like a simpleton. He scorns wisdom and discipline (15:5), mocks at guilt (14:9). He is quarrelsome (20:3), and licentious (7:22). It is quite useless to instruct him (16:22, 27:22). He is never wrong! He has such exalted airs about himself! “I am sir oracle, and when I ope my lips, let no dog bark!” “The person who always knows best may be the only one unconscious of his real name” (Kidner). Such a fool is more to be pitied than disliked, but no less dangerous.

1. Self-Directed but without God! Right in his own eyes (v.15). He says, “My mind’s made up; don’t confuse me with facts.” His way is right! He won’t listen to advice, even from godly people. He is self-sufficient. He wants neither man nor God. Thereby he shuts out the light of Scripture, and wisdom acquired by the experience of others. He faces trials and troubles, trusting only his own wits. He considers the need to call upon God as “the opiate of the people.” He thinks his wisdom and determination will carry him through any trial. Right in his own eyes, so he follows it to his own ruin (Rev. 20:15)! It has been well put that “a man who has himself for teacher has a fool for scholar.”

2. Self-Deluded but without Hope! The way of a fool… (v.15). It is his false sense of security that is his pitfall. If there is a heaven, he is sure of his own righteousness, and, therefore, of his right to a place there. He will trust his record. He may be obnoxious, but he’s respectable and lived as good a life as the next fellow. He needs nobody to save him. Yet, it is all a delusion! He is a fool, and finds out, usually too late, that his confidence in himself was sadly misplaced. How many such have become victims of temptations and trials too strong for them in the end! Then there’s the sin question, for all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). How foolish to reject the only Saviour who can save you (Heb. 2:3).

3. Spirit-Taught but with Hope! He that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise (15b). Proverbs insists that a clear evidence of wisdom is a teachable spirit. This is one who is humble enough to take godly advice, and who thereby becomes mentally enriched. He consults all the resources at his disposal, and the result is, he increases knowledge. His good influence and usefulness is also enormously increased. It was so with the great Moses. He took the advice offered by his father-in-law, Jethro (Ex. 18:14f). David listened to the counsel from Abigail because it was better than taking vengeance on a fool, a nabal (1Sam. 25:23f)! How much wiser to bring a humble spirit to the Spirit of all Wisdom, to seek God’s counsel from Him who is Wonderful, Counsellor (Is. 9:6). “The man who does not trust his own judgment is a man of good judgment.”

Thought: God must make us lose trust in ourselves before we will trust him.

Prayer: O my God, save me from myself and from my own self-deceitfulness.