Why do some honour fools in the eyes of the people? Why do some honour a lot of movie stars, athletes, rock stars, etc.? Most people look to them as ‘gods’ as if they have it made and they know everything.
Like sparrows, they flutter around without setting any real goals. Like the horse, donkey and rod they never reach their intended target because an innocent person is being attacked. They require compulsive discipline.
Solomon is saying that we shouldn’t take a foolish person seriously and try to reason with their empty arguments. There are times a fool should be answered and times they shouldn’t be answered. These proverbs would be applied differently depending on the circumstances. The messenger took the place of the one sending him.
A proverb is useless from a fool because they don’t understand and cannot apply it to themselves. Tying a stone to a sling is useless because it cannot be slung, which is dangerous.
We shouldn’t give a place of honour to a fool. A fool is injured by it in ways they wouldn’t be if they were sober. A drunken person doesn’t feel any pain and so they wouldn’t know that their condition is serious. It is not only irresponsible, it is crazy.
The fool never learns and, like this dog, they continue to do the things that will not work. They have difficulty learning from experience. Peter uses this proverb in 2 Peter 2:22, to speak about those who fall away. The ‘know it all’, is the egotist, they are the worst type of person.
Here Solomon gives another ‘lame’ excuse for those who don’t want to work. He says that both a door and a sluggard move, but neither goes anywhere. Despite their laziness, the sluggard considers themselves wise, even wiser than a team of seven competent people who are trained to give answers to difficult questions.
Here Solomon reminds us to mind our own business. Remember that most dogs were not domestic pets in Biblical times, they were wild, therefore, to grasp a dog by the ears was a sure way to get bitten. They have no concern for the deadly consequences. He reminds us not to be a ‘practical joker’.
We’re not to ‘add fuel to the fire’ by continuing to gossip, if we hear gossip, we shouldn’t repeat it to someone else. They take a situation that might otherwise die out and turn it into a major conflict. Smooth lips may cover an evil heart like glaze covers the rough earthenware of a piece of pottery.
The number seven is an illustration of something being full, in other words, this is a perfect degree of hate and malice. A group will be able to see through their disguise and reveal their real nature.
Solomon is basically saying, those who set traps for others will fall into their traps as a boomerang returns to the hand which throws it.
Here again, we’re warned about the use of our tongues, James 3:2-12. When people use their tongues to tell lies, we shouldn’t believe a word they tell us.
‘Everyone lies to their neighbour; they flatter with their lips but harbour deception in their hearts. May the LORD silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.’ Psalm 12:2-3
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."