The Radio Bible Class’s “Our Daily Bread” publication I wrote about in a submission early this past March, provides a tool to help people read through the Bible in a year. I’ve been following their normally sequential-reading format for years and have greatly benefitted from it.
This year, however, the folk at RBC have provided a reading format that transcends their norm. In addition to the recommended daily reading passages (that are somewhat sequential), the program takes you through a chapter of the book of Proverbs each month – Proverbs has 31 chapters so each day of the month I’m cycling through it.
I enjoy Proverbs very much. Written primarily by King Solomon, it’s a book that can help one become wise and understand the meaning and benefits of wisdom.
One of the ways the book does this is by comparing and contrasting wisdom with foolishness – Proverbs outlines the disadvantages and detriments of folly, fools and foolishness with over 70 references throughout its tome.
Here are several examples for your reading pleasure:
“The simple inherit folly; but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” (Proverbs 14:18)
“Folly is a joy to him that is destitute of wisdom; but a man of understanding walks uprightly.” (Proverbs 15:21)
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he who heeds counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)
“A fool vents all his feelings; but a wise man holds them back.” (Proverbs 29:11)
“The tongue of the wise uses knowledge correctly; but the mouth of fools spews out foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:2)
“Where’s he going with this?” you may be asking.
Well, it’s true I could venture out into a myriad of directions with this subject (and one day I may revisit it to do so), but I want link folly with a news broadcast report I heard recently.
This report stated that Americans (particularly Government employees) were going to be asked to stop calling people who commit acts of terror, “Islamic Terrorists” because the people who are committing these acts should not be associated with any one particular religion.
Are you perplexed right now? Did you think such a request sounded just a mite ridiculous? If you did, I think we’re okay, but if you didn’t, you might want to spend some time in Proverbs.
An overwhelming majority of terrorism being conducted throughout the world today are being conducted by individuals who call themselves “Islamic Terrorists,” are “Islamic Terrorists,” and proclaim that their acts of terror (i.e., beheadings; bombings (improvised explosive devices known as “IED’s,” suicide or otherwise); hangings; kidnappings; mutilations; rape, and other barbaric acts) are being done in the name of…(wait for it)…“Islam.”
To ask American people to not link fact with reality (primarily for the purpose of not offending some people) is in my strong assessment … (wait once again) …“foolishness.”
For further “wisdom” on this subject, I invite you to read the memoirs of two very brave, intelligent and insightful women who can validate from their personal lives what is or what isn’t an “Islamic Terrorist.” Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s “Infidel” and Brigitte Gabriel’s “Because They Hate,” give indisputably clear realizations about people who, in the name of “Islam,” want the entire world to pick from two choices – accept and live according to Islam…or die. The widespread way that choice is being spread is via … (wait one last time) … “terrorism.”
Soooo, you can decide to say “hello” to folly, be “inoffensive” and call a cactus a peach so the truth of its “thorny” disposition and persona isn’t hurt; or you can see and say things for what they really are, because as Proverbs 13:16 says, “Every prudent man acts with knowledge; but a fool displays (speaks and acts upon) folly.”
Copyright © Paul Schneidmill 2008 All Rights Reserved
