Portrait of a Fool
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July 1, 1984

Portrait of a Fool

by Alistair Begg

Proverbs 1:22–39  (ID: 1057)

While few people would ever want to be called foolish, Scripture actually contains many examples of figures whom it identifies as fools. Alistair Begg explains how the book of Proverbs defines wisdom versus foolishness—a moral perversity that affects our actions in many ways. Fools, the Bible teaches, assume they are always right, are quick-tempered, and cause sorrow to their parents. Thankfully, though, God has given us sensible instruction to make us wise, teaching us through Scripture and counsel.

Topics:
Proverbs 1:22–33

22“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?

How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing

and fools hate knowledge?

23If you turn at my reproof,1

behold, I will pour out my spirit to you;

I will make my words known to you.

24Because I have called and you refused to listen,

have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

25because you have ignored all my counsel

and would have none of my reproof,

26I also will laugh at your calamity;

I will mock when terror strikes you,

27when terror strikes you like a storm

and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,

when distress and anguish come upon you.

28Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;

they will seek me diligently but will not find me.

29Because they hated knowledge

and did not choose the fear of the Lord,

30would have none of my counsel

and despised all my reproof,

31therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,

and have their fill of their own devices.

32For the simple are killed by their turning away,

and the complacency of fools destroys them;

33but whoever listens to me will dwell secure

and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.

Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg is Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Bible teacher on Truth For Life, which is heard on the radio and online around the world.