Proverbs Teaches on Fools

Proverbs 9:10“The fear of the

Lord is the beginning of

wisdom.”

Psalm 14:1The fool says in his

heart, “There is no God.”

Way of Righteousness Way of Sin/Wickedness

Applying God’s Truth to Life Rejecting God’s Truth for Life

Naive Fool (kesil) Fool

(ewil)

The Path of the “Fool”

Scorner

Morally open; spacious;

easily persuaded

or misled; gullible

♦ Appears 14 times in Proverbs♦ All humans are born “naïve” (open; trusting)♦ Proverbs 1:4♦ Proverbs 7:7; 14:15

♦ Proverbs 1:32

The “Naïve” Fool

Characteristic of youth

Is wayward

Lacks (common) sense; is gullible

Learns from: Proverbs 1:4; 21:11; 22:3

♦ Proverbs 1:22Loves simplicity

♦ Proverbs 27:12Can’t foresee trouble

The Fool (kesil)♦ Appears 50 times in Proverbs

♦ Proverbs 18:2, 6-7♦ Proverbs 1:22

♦ Proverbs 10:18, 23

♦ Proverbs 15:20; 17:21

♦ Proverbs 1:32; 13:20; 26:10To be morally

sluggish; thickheaded;

obstinate; stupid

Is vocal and causes strifeEnjoys sin; spreads slander

Grieves/despises parents

Not interested in learning

Destroys self and others

Learns by: Proverbs 19:29

♦ Proverbs 14:16 Is proud♦ Proverbs 26:11

Repeats folly/mistakes

The Fool (ewil)

♦ Appears 42 times in Proverbs♦ Proverbs 12:15♦ Proverbs 20:3♦ Proverbs 1:7; 15:5

♦ Proverbs 10:21; 19:3

♦ Proverbs 17:12; 27:3; 29:9

Morally deficient; stubborn;

rebellious; rejects truth

Always thinks he is rightIs often argumentative

♦ Proverbs 15:2; 24:9

Learns by: Prov. 22:15; 27:22

Spouts out sinful folly

Despises counsel/discipline

Brings ruin; blames God

Dangerous to mess with

♦ Proverbs 14:1Destroys his family

The Scorner Fool

Turned aside; speak

indirectly

♦ Appears 14 times in Proverbs♦ Deepest level of fool; hardened heart♦ Proverbs 21:24♦ Proverbs 22:10

♦ Proverbs 19:25; 21:11Punishment does NOT bring repentance

♦ Only God can change him

Is set in his sin and pride

Unteachable; hates any who seek to reprove him

Always brings strife♦ Proverbs 9:8; 13:1; 15:12

Awaits judgment (19:29)

Do you see any of these characteristics in

you?

Simple

♦ Doesn’t see trouble ahead (walks into it)

♦ Gullible

♦ Loves simplicity

♦ Lacks common sense

♦ Is wayward

Do you see any of these characteristics in

you?

Fool (kesil)

♦ Causes strife♦ Enjoys sin

♦ Grieves parents

♦ Slow learner

♦ Destroys self and others♦ Repeats mistakes

Do you see any of these characteristics in

you?

Fool (ewil)

♦ Always right?♦ Argumentative♦ Despises discipline♦ Brings ruin; blames God♦ Destroys his family

Forsake your foolish ways (Proverbs 9:6)

Do you see any of these characteristics in

you?

Scorner

DeathJudgment

♦ Unrepentant

♦ Set in sin/pride

♦ Unteachable♦ Lives in strife

♦ Hates reproof

Proverbs 9:6 has the answer

Proverbs wants you to see yourself in the mirror

Worksheet

Naive Fool (kesil) Fool

(ewil)Scorner

Proverbs 7:7; 14:15

Proverbs 1:22

Proverbs 1:32

Proverbs 27:12

Learns from:

Proverbs 1:22

Proverbs 18:2, 6-7

Proverbs 10:18, 23

Proverbs 1:32; 13:20; 26:10

Proverbs 14:16

Proverbs 12:15

Proverbs 20:3

Proverbs 1:7; 15:5

Proverbs 15:2; 24:9

Learns from:

Proverbs 21:24

Proverbs 22:10

Proverbs 9:8; 13:1

Proverbs 13:1; 15:12

Learns from:

Proverbs 26:11

Proverbs 15:20: 17:21

Learns from:

Proverbs 10;21; 19:3

Proverbs 14:1

Proverbs 17:12; 29:9

Proverbs 19:25;21:11