A Parable in the Mouth of a Fool - Proverbs 26:9

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “as he that binds a stone in a sling, so is he that gives honor to a fool”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse nine of Proverbs Solomon shared again about, “a parable in the mouth of fools” where we read,

As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard,

so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

The verse begins, “As a thorn goes up into the hand of a drunkard, ...” Solomon began with the words, “as a thorn” or “similar and in likeness to the way a briar, bramble or piercing fetter” “goes up into the hand” which means “ascends and springs forward in the physical hand” “of a drunkard” or “belonging to a person who is intoxicated” the following is also true. Solomon referred to the way a foolish person takes a thorny briar into his hand to compare to the following.

The verse goes on to say, “... so is a parable in the mouth of fools.” Solomon continued with the words, “so is a parable” or “even, also and indeed exists a proverbial saying, aphorism, similitude or sentence of ethical wisdom” “in the mouth” which means “within the orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking” “of fools” or “belonging to arrogant dullards, simpletons and stupid fellows”. Solomon said proverbs and sentences of ethical wisdom within the “mouths” of people who are foolish and simpletons are similar to when “a thorn goes up into the hand of” and intoxicated person. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Solomon once again spoke about how a person who is an arrogant simpleton cannot be trusted with proverbial sayings and ethical maxims. Like a briar brand within the physical hand of an intoxicated person, a “proverb” spoken by “drunkards” is useless. God wants us to be wise, and He gave us His scriptures, the Bible, as well as His Holy Spirit to employ proverbial sayings in a proper manner. God desires to have a personal relationship with everyone, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the ability to use His ethical maxims in non-foolish ways. 

Next time Solomon says, “the great God that formed all things rewards”, 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".