Fools, Friends, and the Fear of the Lord: Wisdom That Works in Real Life
- Be God's Glory
- Jul 12
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 193 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 26–28 delivers a striking collection of wisdom sayings that contrasts foolishness and wisdom, pride and humility, deceit and integrity, while emphasizing the blessings of righteousness and the consequences of wickedness. These chapters offer practical instruction for discerning speech, behavior, and relationships. Proverbs 26 warns against engaging with fools and exposes the dangers of laziness, deceit, and pride. Proverbs 27 shifts to a focus on relationships—true friendship, wise counsel, and personal character development. Proverbs 28 highlights how righteousness leads to stability, while wickedness brings downfall. Throughout these chapters, the fear of the Lord remains the foundation of discernment, integrity, and justice, urging readers to live in alignment with God’s truth.
Proverbs 26 offers a vivid portrayal of foolishness, comparing a fool to a dog returning to its vomit and showing how undeserved honor given to a fool is destructive. The chapter begins with examples of how folly is out of place in positions of influence, likening it to snow in summer. Verses 4–5 provide a tension in wisdom: one must sometimes answer a fool to correct them, while at other times it’s wiser to remain silent. The lazy person is mocked with humorous yet sobering imagery, such as a door turning on its hinges and the sluggard in bed. The chapter also warns about the deceitful nature of a gossip, likening their words to delicious morsels that go down deep into a person. Overall, the chapter encourages wisdom in dealing with others and highlights the destructiveness of laziness, dishonesty, and pride.
Proverbs 27 centers on wise living in the context of relationships, highlighting the value of honesty, loyalty, and mutual accountability among friends. It opens with a caution against boasting about the future, reminding readers that life is uncertain and should be approached with humility. Sharp, truthful correction from a friend is portrayed as more loving than flattery from an enemy—“faithful are the wounds of a friend.” The chapter emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and warns against pride, teaching that a person should be tested by the praise they receive. Verses also highlight the value of diligence, especially in caring for one's household or flocks, pointing to long-term fruitfulness through consistent responsibility. Proverbs 27 ultimately commends friendships that sharpen character and the wisdom of preparing for life with foresight and humility.
Proverbs 28 contrasts the consequences of wickedness with the blessings of righteousness, especially in leadership, justice, and personal integrity. The chapter opens with a vivid image: the wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. It stresses that those who forsake God's law praise the wicked, while those who obey God resist evil. The chapter repeatedly connects righteousness with justice, integrity, and divine blessing, while highlighting that those who live in deceit and oppression will ultimately face ruin. Verse after verse affirms the strength of walking uprightly—those who confess and forsake sin find mercy, while the stubborn fall into calamity. Proverbs 28 reinforces the truth that godly living brings security and peace, while ungodliness leads to instability, corruption, and fear.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name “Proverbs” comes from the Hebrew word “Mishlei”, which is the plural form of “mashal,” meaning a parable, comparison, or concise saying that expresses a moral truth. In Greek, the title is “Paroimiai,” and in Latin, “Proverbia.” The term refers to wise sayings that are memorable and instructive, meant to impart practical life lessons through brief, impactful statements.
Purpose of the Book:
Proverbs was written to impart wisdom, discipline, and understanding, especially to the young, so they may live godly and successful lives. Its stated purpose is found in Proverbs 1:2–4:
“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth.”
The book provides moral and ethical guidance based on “the fear of the Lord,” which is the foundation of true knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). It is a practical guide to living with integrity, wisdom, justice, and spiritual discernment in everyday life.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
King Solomon is traditionally recognized as the primary author of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:1 begins: “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel.”
1 Kings 4:32 supports Solomon's authorship, stating:
“He spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.”This verse validates that Solomon was known for his exceptional wisdom and literary output.
Solomon reigned around 970–931 B.C. and was famed for asking God for wisdom rather than riches or power (see 1 Kings 3:5–14), making him a fitting author for this wisdom book.
However, Proverbs was compiled in stages:
Chapters 1–24 are largely attributed to Solomon.
Chapters 25–29 were compiled later by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah (Proverbs 25:1), about 200 years after Solomon’s time.
Chapter 30 is attributed to Agur son of Jakeh.
Chapter 31 contains the sayings of King Lemuel, taught to him by his mother.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b) affirms Solomon as the principal author of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs.
Early Church Fathers, including Origen and Jerome, also credited Solomon with the core of the book’s authorship.
Key People:
While Proverbs is largely poetic and instructional rather than narrative, a few individuals are named:
Solomon – The central figure behind most of the content.
Agur (Proverbs 30) – A wise man with a humble spirit who pondered divine mysteries.
King Lemuel (Proverbs 31) – A possibly non-Israelite king who shares wisdom from his mother, including the famous passage about the virtuous woman.
Also, Wisdom is personified (especially in Proverbs 1, 8, and 9) as a woman calling out in the streets, inviting people to choose righteousness over folly. While not a literal person, this literary device plays a key role in the theological and philosophical tone of the book.
Conclusion
Proverbs presents wisdom as a choice and a lifestyle—not merely knowledge, but skillful living in harmony with God’s truth. It contrasts the way of the wise with the way of fools and stresses the rewards of obedience, humility, integrity, and reverence for the Lord. The final chapter, Proverbs 31, highlights the virtues of a godly woman, emphasizing that wisdom is not just theoretical but lived out in daily faithfulness.
Ultimately, the book teaches that the wise person fears the Lord, walks in humility, seeks godly counsel, and avoids sin. As Proverbs 9:10 declares,
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
In Proverbs 26, God's character is revealed as wise, just, and discerning. He is a God who values order, responsibility, and truth. This chapter highlights how God detests folly, deceit, laziness, and slander, showing that such traits are contrary to His holy nature. The lessons taught remind us that God calls His people to walk in wisdom, to avoid senseless conflict, and to resist enabling foolishness. In doing so, we reflect His wisdom and honor His instruction in how we deal with others.
No specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned directly in this chapter. However, the principles reflect the wisdom that comes from Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who desires His people to live in alignment with His truth. The chapter teaches that enabling folly or engaging in slander is not only unwise but also dishonoring to God. He calls us to be discerning, to avoid the path of the fool, and to pursue godly character in speech and behavior.
Proverbs 27 shows God as relational, practical, and deeply invested in the development of character through community. He values truth spoken in love, accountability, and the sharpening of others through godly friendship. God's wisdom encourages humility about the future and diligence in responsibility, showing His care not only for spiritual well-being but also for everyday living. This reveals that God is not distant but engaged with every detail of our lives.
This chapter does not mention any specific Hebrew names of God, but His presence is clearly seen in the relational wisdom it presents. The lessons show that God desires us to grow in maturity through faithful friendships, wise correction, and responsible stewardship. Through this, He is shaping us into His image—people who reflect His truth, patience, and grace in how we treat one another.
Proverbs 28 presents God as righteous, just, and full of mercy. He honors those who walk in integrity and punishes those who live in wickedness or corruption. God is a defender of justice and an upholder of truth, and He blesses those who fear Him. His character is consistent—He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble and provides mercy for the repentant.
While no specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned directly in Proverbs 28, the chapter reflects the nature of Elohim, the just and powerful Judge who governs with righteousness. The lesson taught is that integrity, confession of sin, and reverence for God lead to life, while stubbornness, deceit, and injustice lead to ruin. God invites us to live boldly in righteousness, trusting that His justice will ultimately prevail.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
What does Proverbs 26 reveal about how God views foolishness, laziness, and deceit?
How do Proverbs 27’s teachings about relationships reflect God’s relational and refining nature?
What do the consequences of wickedness in Proverbs 28 show us about God's justice and righteousness?
In what ways do these chapters reveal God’s desire for us to reflect His wisdom in our interactions with others?
How is God’s mercy shown in Proverbs 28, especially regarding confession and repentance?
How do these chapters portray God as both a protector of the righteous and a judge of the wicked?
What do these proverbs teach about God’s desire for truth, humility, and personal responsibility in our lives?
Questions About Themes:
What are the dangers of engaging with a fool, as highlighted in Proverbs 26, and why is that significant?
How does Proverbs 27 emphasize the value of friendship and godly correction?
What connections can you find between pride, foolishness, and downfall across these chapters?
In what ways do Proverbs 26–28 warn against deceitful speech and gossip?
How do these chapters contrast the outcomes of the righteous versus the wicked?
What themes in these chapters point to the importance of humility and honesty in our daily lives?
How is wise stewardship, diligence, and planning portrayed as a sign of wisdom in Proverbs 27–28?
Reflective Application Questions:
Do I surround myself with wise, honest people who help sharpen my character, as Proverbs 27 advises?
In what ways have I engaged with foolishness or enabled unwise behavior in others, and how can I respond differently?
Are there areas in my life where I’ve relied on flattery or avoided truth in relationships? Why?
What steps can I take to practice more integrity and transparency in both my personal and spiritual life?
How do I respond to correction? Do I welcome it as wisdom or resist it in pride?
Am I diligent in my responsibilities, or do I allow laziness or procrastination to take root?
Is there any sin or hidden issue I need to confess to God today, trusting in His mercy as shown in Proverbs 28:13?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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