Wisdom: The Principle ThingSample

Understanding a Fool

Proverbs 17 is a very interesting chapter. It is basically a life lesson on what not to do. When we look at what is called the book of wisdom, this chapter provides insight on what a fool really is. The use of the word fool in this context is the Hebrew word "kesiyl". This use of the word is used in the book of Proverbs forty-nine times, five of them being in Chapter 17.

Kesiyl is a different kind of foolishness because it is bluntly put as stupidity stemming from apathy towards moral issues. Basically, when we quit caring, we become foolish. The characteristic of a keisyl is someone who harbors anger, quits caring, has no purpose, and often doesn’t think before they speak. A kesiyl also is self destructive and loves to live in ignorance.

Our sinful nature naturally turns us into a kesiyl. As we grow in our walk, we are going to make foolish decisions, and we are going to make mistakes. The beauty of the Word of God is that if we take the time to heed what it says, and we seek wisdom and understanding, we will become wise, not just knowledgeable. We will make better decisions, and we will learn to live life through an eternal lens. What a great gift the Word is that we may learn and grow, and we don’t have to live life as a kesiyl.