The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Summary: Whether or not a person accepts commands is immediately obvious to anyone watching. How we respond to legitimate commands says a lot about our character.
In today’s passage, Solomon compares two seemingly different concepts. On one hand, he places ‘accepting commands,’ on the other he sits the ‘chattering fool.’ The first is ‘wise,’ and the second ‘comes to ruin.’
What is he thinking?
One of the main themes of Proverbs is what wisdom is and how to get it. Another main theme has to do with the dangers of being a fool, and where such people end up. At times, Proverbs seems like it repeats itself over and over again.
Why does it seem that way? Because it does repeat, over and over again!
Repetition is one of the keys to learning. Parents have to repeat themselves to their children because (A) children are people and people forget, and (B) children like to test the limits of knowledge. Do you really mean what you say? Inquiring minds want to know!
If you had fathered hundreds if not thousands of children, and if you were writing down your wisdom for them instead of spending time with each one, you might do the same thing. By repeating himself frequently, Solomon increases the chance that something might stick in the reader’s mind.
What is “wise” about accepting commands? Solomon is not talking about just anyone telling you what to do. The Hebrew word “miṣvâ” refers to commands that have authority behind them. For example, the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments are clearly commands. They are not the Ten Suggestions; they are commands. And they are from God. If we think about it, there is no higher authority on earth than the One who made it.
The wise acknowledge God’s existence. Then they acknowledge God’s authority. When they hear a command from God, they take it to heart and obey. The wise also understand that God conveys authority to certain people.
So what’s with the “chattering fool?”
We know from prior proverbs that “fools despise wisdom and instruction’ (Proverbs 1:7). They “hate knowledge” (Proverbs 1:22) and “get only shame” (Proverbs 3:35). So what do they have to “chatter” about?
Application: Practice accepting (appropriate) commands without chattering.
Food for Thought: Whom do the wise accept commands from?
Whom do the wise accept commands from? God without question. Definitely not anyone trying to share fake chatter.
Tim,
Well said! The problem is that sometimes the “chatterers” confuse people who don’t know any better.
That’s why I’m thankful for teachers that are always wanting to bring it back to scripture. To verify everything with truth. I’ve been praying for protection for those I’ve placed myself under the authority of in the church. Still with all the decay happening in this world I am still thankful and blessed for all that He has done and given me.
Tim,
We are indeed blessed to have a church body that relies solely on Scripture.
Even reading the word “command” makes me think of the people who filled the roles of my “commander” through my years in the military. You always knew who you’re commander was because it would be made known to you in one capacity or another who that person was. Also, whenever your commander came in the room, everyone went silent and stood at “attention.” On the other side of the coin, I had people (executive officers or and sometimes secretaries or even spouses) who worked for or with the commander who would also try and talk to you as if they were the commander. Those could be confusing, if you didn’t know, because they would use the commanders name to try and coerce you.
Whom do the wise accept commands from? I think a wise person accepts a command from someone they recognize to be true, and accepting that authority means they are mindful that their commander is “in the building.” This means that their commander has made themselves known, and they recognize that authority. I have known a few folks that forgot to salute their commander and they try and give 1000 alibi’s why (like a chattering fool) but in the end it came down to lack of mindfulness. It is hard to explain, but what I am trying to say is that it doesn’t take much to legitimately recognize God’s hand and authority in your life. Once you do recognize His authority, it takes mindfulness to be respectful of that authority. Even when another uses His name, it gives you pause. If someone tells you something your “commander” told you to do, it was wise to verify if you had doubts. To me that translates. I can recognize God’s authority, read His Word, and if I am told something that is in God’s Word, I can pray and I can reference His scripture. I think that is part of the wisdom that comes with serving God. I don’t know if I explained it right this morning.
Exactly what I was trying to say Chris. But you explained it a little better.
Chris,
Well said! You cover a lot of important points well. Thank you!
Hmmmm….
I think we’ll all agree with T, God first.
Under God:
Our parents, we are supposed to honor them.
Our government… God did put them there for a reason.
I’d say elders, but I think they’re more teachers/guides/voices of wisdom, not commanding authority.
It gets difficult under God. All the authority on earth is to be respected, but if they command something contrary to God’s commands then we aren’t supposed to listen to the earthly authority. How does respect and honor work with sinful or worldly people in positions of authority??
If an authority makes a genuine mistake, the respectful thing is to move past it, don’t mock them, right? But what about those blatantly purposefully bad things? It shouldn’t be wrong to shine a light on on those, God wants us to see truth and be informed enough to make wise decisions. I suppose the question is how? How do you disagree with parents and honor them? How do you be contrary to government and respect it?
A –
You have used a lot of “?’s” this morning! 🙂
The one word answer that comes to mind is “discernment.” We discern what is the right path based on our knowledge of God’s will (Scripture), the guidance of the Spirit, and the other tools God has given us (intellect, etc). In short, we do our best.
In response to a question by the Pharisees, Jesus says:
“Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:41)
I find it fascinating that God allows for human blindness. This is not a “get out of jail free” card. God knows what we know. He knows what we think. Yet he also knows when we choose to honor him, even if we don’t do it quite right.
Great comments today – again
I think we all need to be Bereans and check everything by Scripture (Acts 17: 11). This will place all other commands we are given by all authorities under the authority of God. A classic example might be when someone’s boss commands them to lie or deceive. Should I do that? God’s word argues against such tactics.
1 Peter 2: 13 – 20 gives us advice on this subject. Notice that we treat everyone with high regard and honor the king – but we fear God alone.
Thank you, Rich.
You provide an excellent guidepost … fear God alone!
04-18-2022, Proverbs 10:8, Whom do the wise accept commands from?
GOD”S WORD, THE BIBLE!
The inspired word of God preserved for our instruction, correction, training in righteousness as we are being equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Christ came to serve, not to be served. As believers we are to dedicate our lives to serving God through our Lord Jesus Christ by living our lives, serving those God brings into our sphere of influence, and we accept the commands of those over us. We are to submit to rulers and authorities.
This included, the president, governor, mayor, police, our superior(s) at work, church discipline. However, if any authority tells us to dishonor God, the Bible has caveats to dissent. We must obey God rather than men.
1 Peter 2:13-17; Romans 13:2-5, Romans 13:1; Mark 12:17,
Christ is our power, our example. Mathew tells us of His Kingship, Mark tells us of His Submission to God and service to mankind, Luke tells us of His Humanity, and John clearly tells us of His sovereignty as God.
All that is written shows how He set His own welfare aside and served mankind for the entire time He walked this earth. He lived in submission to earthly authority as He remained under the authority of God, whose will is supreme.
We are called to allow Christ in us to be seen by all those around us as we live in submission to worldly powers. We accept and obey the commands given to us by those over us, except any command to dishonor God.
Ron,
Thank you! Once again it comes back to knowing the word of God and discerning his will, doesn’t it? Yet we know that the default position is submission, as you point out. It is hard being a Christ follower. I keep thinking of Matthew 5: 39-42 —
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
I hope I am up to it when the time comes.
My daughter once brought a bumpersticker from school, saying she was a very special student in her school. I asked her what did she do to get the sticker. She replied, ” I don’t know, they just caught me doing when I was accidentally doing something good.”
That is a tough one and my nature is to strike back quickly. I will say, the few times I have accidentally obeyed God, have shown me how His peace is far greater, sweeter than my revenge.
Ron,
I love your illustration of “accidental obedience.” 🙂 I also appreciate you sharing the fruit of that obedience, how God’s peace is far better than human revenge. I believe that to be true. Thank you!