I Pity the Fool

Sunday was April Fool’s Day– a day that many fill with mischievous pranks and innocent jokes. I still remember as a child listening to Mr. T boisterously proclaim, “I pity the fool!” It began with his role as the antagonistic boxer, Clubber Lane, in Rocky III, but it quickly became his well-known catchphrase thereafter.

The word “fool” occurs sixty-six (66) times in sixty-two (62) verses in the King James Version of the Bible. This word is translated from several words with several meanings. Solomon used this word forty-nine (49) times in his writings in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew words translated “fool” mean, “foolish, stupid fellow, dullard, senseless, ignoble, impious and presumptuous, usually in a moral or spiritual sense” (The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew & English Lexicon, pp. 17, 493, 614, 698). The Greek words mean, “foolishness, folly, senselessness, thoughtlessness, recklessness, without reason, reflection or intelligence, acting rashly, impious, godless, to be beside one’s self, out of one’s senses, void of understanding, insane” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, pp. 90, 420, 486). Taking this classic catchphrase, let us notice just a few examples of those who are fools as we apply it to humanity.

I pity the fool who does not believe in God! “The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Ps. 14:1; 53:1). A fool is one who has no faith in God. He either did not have it or lost his faith at some point in life (cf. 2 Pet. 2:21-22). The Hebrew writer said, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Our belief in the existence of God can come through the evidences around in this world (Ps. 19:1-6), and reinforced in the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Believing we came from fish because of the salt content in our eyes is foolish. Believing in atheistic evolution is much more preposterous than to believe in God and creation. When we eliminate God from our minds, our thinking becomes vain (Rom. 1:21-23).

I pity the fool who lives a covetous, worldly life! “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). A fool is one who puts trust in riches, which leads to covetousness: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). We should seek first the kingdom of God (Luke 12:31). We should not put our money and possessions before God. Many spend much time working, leaving no time for God. Many place their priorities in possessions and recreational activities, leaving God entirely out of the picture. Our existence in this world is temporary (cf. Heb. 11:13-16); our possessions are temporary also. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7).

I pity the fool who asks needless questions! “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. But some man will say, ‘How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?’ Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die” (1 Cor. 15:34-36). A fool is one who asks needless questions. This context shows the lack of knowledge of the resurrection. One who asks needless questions lacks Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15). A lack of Biblical knowledge should never characterize us (Hos. 4:6). Yet, many disregard the instructions from their Father in heaven (cf. Prov. 15:5).

Therefore, are you a fool? I pity the fool!

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Wrinkles in the Brow

Have you checked the mirror lately and seen those wrinkles forming on your forehead? We might like to think of them as evidence of the wisdom we have gained over the years, but the truth is that they are far more likely to be just the evidence of the years themselves!

It is amazing how ancient cultures used that part of the face in various ways. Easton’s Bible Dictionary mentions that it was common among the Orientals to color their foreheads to indicate their devotion to various pagan deities. You could look at their foreheads and see immediately which god they served.

When God revealed the attire of the high priest (Ex. 28:36-38), there was a plate of purest gold which covered his forehead engraved with the words, “Holy to the Lord.” He wore it every time he served our holy God in any holy, priestly function. Without this diadem his sacrificial offerings would have been rejected. His forehead indicated whom he served.

The instructions given to parents in Deuteronomy chapter six shows what God intended for the “attire” of the Jews.  God told them to write His commands on their hearts. He then turned His attention to their forehead. Some Jews overlooked the word “as” in what He said and applied it literally. He said that His words should be “as frontlets between your eyes.” Think of the implication of His words. As holiness to Jehovah was in the forefront of the attire of the priest, so His words were to be foremost in the attire of His people.

Jeremiah described the ungodly hearts of the nation headed to Babylon. “You have had a harlot’s forehead; you refuse to be ashamed” (Jer. 3:3). Like the brazen display of the harlot in her solicitation to her lovers, Israel had unashamedly brought a pretense of service to God. Outwardly she was serving God, but she had the heart of a whore!

That figurative mark of the beast in Revelation was on the forehead of the ungodly. What many have overlooked in this book is another mark—the mark of God on the forehead of the righteous (Rev. 7:3). God knows His people, and they bear His mark.

God uses the forehead, both literally and figuratively, to indicate what is foremost in the human heart. The pagans showed their allegiance by the paintings on their foreheads. The high priest literally showed his devotion. Israel should have had His words figuratively on their forehead but developed a harlot’s adamant forehead.

What would your forehead look like if it literally displayed the foremost desire of your heart? Think about it!

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Opening Day

I love baseball season and have been a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds. I look forward, with great anticipation, to the pitchers and catchers reporting early for Spring Training. I follow the “Cactus League” games and as “Opening Day” in Cincinnati approaches I know spring is coming. With warmer weather, ballpark visits, box scores, radio broadcasts and hopes of a World Championship come fall.

I listened again this year to those on television, radio and social media networks taut this as the “Greatest Day” of the year in Cincinnati. “It should be a holiday,” some declared.” Others said they would be willing to give up “Presidents Day” for an “Opening Day” holiday. Business should close and children should be let out of school.

As I (the lover of the game) began to consider the passion of my fellow fans and wonder if this (baseball and opening day) was indeed a “god” and their “day of worship” an acquaintance made this statement on his Facebook status, “Worshipping at the altar of the baseball gods and Opening Day is my Christmas. Be awesome Reds!” And at that moment part of my love for the game died!

Oh how I wish people would love the Lord, His team (the church), and His day the way they love this world and its entertainment! The Psalmist wrote “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psa. 122:1). Yet the people Thursday said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into ‘Great American Ball Park.” In Psalm 118:24 we read, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” But Sunday morning worship is forsaken by so many. I heard boasting last week of the numbers of consecutive “Opening Days” some had attended. How I wish I heard the same exuberance over never missing a worship or Bible Study hour (Heb. 10:25).

The Reds won their “Opening Day” game in thrilling “comeback fashion” on Thursday.
Thousands of fans were ecstatic to see a three-run walk-off homerun to win the game. I don’t know what the future holds for them this season, but I do know what the future holds for all mankind. Jesus is going to come back (John 14:1-3). Will we be as glad to see Jesus when He returns as those who saw the great comeback Thursday? Paul wrote to Timothy, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8).

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The Devil’s Ability to Tempt Man

One of the greatest problems that mankind faces today is the continued effort of the Devil to bring him into bondage and hold him there.  The Devil’s forces are continuous and will not subside until the individual is completely void of righteousness.  Some of the methods used by the Devil are documented in the following study,  they are:

1 – “The lust of the flesh: (See KJV below). 1939  epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah); from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden): KJV– concupiscence, desire, lust (after). The desire of the flesh is the root of this particular sin.

2 – “The lust of the eyes” (See KJV below) 1939  epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-mee’-ah);
from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):  KJV– concupiscence, desire, lust (after). That observed with the eyes is the source of this particular sin.

3 – “The pride of life.” (See KJV below). The source of this sin is  inordinate pride -pride is the position gained or applause of man the perpetuator of this sin.

(Source of all three Greek definitions:   Strong’s with numbers included)

I John 2:15-16 – “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”  (KJV)

CONSIDER THIS:
In the very beginning (i.e., in the Garden of Eden) the Devil (i.e., the serpent) used the method pointed out in our text by John,  note the following reading please:

Genesis 3:1-6 – “Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”  (KJV)

The Devil has not changed his approach,  he still uses the same methods of temptation today.  The Christian has an advantage over the non-Christian in that the Christian is aware of the Devil’s devices and his evil intentions,  the non-Christian may not be aware of the Devil’s devices.  For this reason the Christian ought to be consistently involved in dispensing his/her knowledge about the Devil’s intentions to the unsuspecting relative, friend, or co-laborer at the place of employment.

In consequence of these facts about the Devil,  temptation,  and life beyond the grave,  may we use our knowledge of these things to encourage the lost and the fallen:

(cf., Gal 6:1-6): “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.”(KJV).

Remember this,  we have only this life to do good,  therefore let us take advantage of every opportunity to reach out the hand of assistance to anyone in our path of life.

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Squirrely

My wife calls my daughter “squirrely girly”.  My daughter in a high squeaky voice replies. “No, you’re squirrely!”  I enjoy listening to their playful banter, but no longer can my wife proclaim our daughter to be the squirreliest member of the family.   As of this afternoon, we have added two baby squirrels to our collection of people, cats, fish, frog, and dog.  How this situation came about and how it relates to Christianity will be the focus of the next few paragraphs.

I am passionate about cutting down trees and chopping wood.  I enjoy smelling like chainsaw gas and walking around with wood chips in my beard.  Currently, I am in the process of clearing out some brush so I can pull an existing shed to a new location near my cabin.  The biggest concern to me loomed in the form of a large maple tree.  That maple tree leaned toward the cabin, but also twisted in other directions.  I fearfully envisioned falling the tree and watching it smash into the cabin roof.  Fortunately, this tale does not end that way.  Utilizing chainsaw and wedge, the tree fell away from the cabin.  All did not end so simply though.  While saving the cabin, I also snared the tree up in another tree.  No stress, by cutting the hung up tree in chunks, the trouble quickly dislodged.  After picking up a bit of brush, I noticed some blood all over the face of a log.  Immediately, I checked my own digits and legs.  No blood!  Whew.  So what was the source of the blood?  Unbeknownst to me, I cut a mother squirrel in half.   I found the part still alive and put her out of her distress.  Moments later some “chittering” came from the hollow of one of the cut up logs.  Surprise!  Instant adoption of motherless baby squirrels.

Take a moment and consider the whole plight from the view of the squirrels.  Happily they rested in their warm little tree hollow.  Then along with a piercing loud noise, their home began to tremble and shake.  Soon thereafter, their world literally came crashing down.  Oh, what a terrible fright the little squirrels must have had as closer and closer the saw worked toward them, chunking the tree bit by bit.  Mother squirrel cradling her young, worried about protecting them, just to have her life be the one taken.  Now the little squirrels rely completely upon me for survival.

At least four Christian concepts can be drawn from the day’s squirrely adventure.

First, death can come at any time.   The author James calls life a vapor and notes its brevity (James 4:4).  Woe to those such as the man who relies on great plans beyond today without getting their spiritual house in order (Luke 12:16-21).

Second, we will not always be there for our young.  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 pleads with Israel to teach their young all the commands of the Lord.  They must be encouraged to listen and obey.   Long after our death, the sound principles imparted to our children guide them safely through life (Ephesians 6:1-3).

Third, adoption exists for individuals in need.  Matthew 5:3 quotes Jesus saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.    Again in Matthew 11:28 he said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Jesus calls men to him so that they may receive adoption from the Father.  Adoption of those in need (and all need God) comes from the plan of the Father because of His love for mankind (Ephesians 1:3-6, John 3:16).

Finally, life exists for those who accept the care offered them.  What happens to those who reject the spiritual nourishment and care of the Lord?  They will hunger, they will weaken, and they will die.  Jesus provides the words of life (John 6:68).  He desires man to live and their hunger to be filled (Matthew 5:6).  Hear his words: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! (Matthew 23:37) Unfortunately, many reject his blessings and he therefore rejects them (Matthew 10:33).  Men die, because they reject life.

Some folks conclude life is squirrely.  We do not know when it will end.  We do not know how long we will be here for our youth.  However, we can trust in God to be there for us who need Him.  He stands willing to be a Father to us.  He will care and nourish those who choose to allow Him.  What can be said of those who do not accept such blessing?  “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” (Proverbs 28:26) Translation: Only a squirrely individual won’t hear the Words of God.  What can be said of such an individual?  They must be “nuts”.

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