A Price in the Hand of a Fool - Proverbs 17:16

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “he that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD”, and in chapter seventeen and verse sixteen of Proverbs Solomon shares about, “a price in the hand of a fool” where we read,

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?

The verse begins, “Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, ...” Solomon began with the words, “wherefore is there a price” or “wherewith and for what reason does a payment or wage exist” “in the hand of a fool” which means “within the physical hand belonging to a person who is a dullard, simpleton, arrogant and stupid” “to get wisdom” or “to obtain, acquire and possess skill, shrewd and prudence”. Solomon considered the idea of a payment being made by a simpleton to possess shrewdness and skill.

The verse goes on to say, “... seeing he has no heart to it?” Solomon continued with the words, “seeing he has no heart” or “since, because and on account that the foolish person holds, owns and possesses not any soul, mind, will, desire, living being, conscience and seat of emotions and affections” “to it” which means “toward getting wisdom”? Solomon wondered what good a payment for “wisdom” was for the person who is a simpleton and foolish since they have no desire to obtain it.

When we think through Solomon's words in this verse, we see how a payment being made for skill and prudence is useless within the possession of a simpleton because they do not have a desire to receive “wisdom”. In other words, when a person has no passion or desire, paying for wisdom is a waste. God wants to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us a desire for His “wisdom” and to avoid those who have “no heart to it”.

Next time Solomon says, “a friend loves at all times”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".