The Laughter of the Fool - Ecclesiastes 7:6

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon said, “it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools” and in chapter seven and verse six of his book Solomon said, “as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool” where we read,

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

The verse reads, “For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, …” Solomon began with the words, “for as the crackling of thorns” or “because, since and on account that in a similar and like manner to the sound, noise, lightness and frivolity belonging to thorny bushes or branches” “under a pot” which means “beneath a cooking caldron, household utensil or pan”. Solomon said the following exists similar to the noise of burning thorn bushes beneath a cooking caldron.  

The verse continues, “… so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.” Solomon added the words, “so is the laughter” or “even, also and indeed exists the joyful and sporting derision, scorn and mocking” “of the fool” which means “belonging to the dullard, simpleton and stupid fellow”: “this also is vanity” or “this, the laughter of a stupid fellow, exists even so and indeed as vapor, breath and transitory dissatisfaction”. Solomon said the joyful mocking belonging to a simpleton even so and indeed exists as vapor and transitory dissatisfaction.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how the joyful mocking of a simpleton is similar to the sound of burning “thorns” beneath a cooking caldron and exists as a transitory dissatisfaction in a person’s life. Empty, vain and with a lot of noise does the “foolish” person speak, and rather than paying attention to them, we should be mindful of what the Lord says about things. God wants us to be wise, and He invites us to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with the wisdom of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us how to listen to Him rather than the “crackling” sound of “fools”. (See John 16:13; James 1:5)

Next time Solomon says, “oppression makes a wise man mad”, 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".