We all know at least one fool, that person who never learns from his mistakes, but continues to do the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome if he just keeps on trying.
“The old college try,” he laughs, as he remarries for the fourth time.
Or what about the gal who buys her third or fifth used car, exclaiming how sporty it looks, only to find it in the shop the week after she brings it home.
Other people manage to find more serious ways to show their foolishness. No more is the bankruptcy settled than the credit card debt begins to rise once more. Or the day after rehab is over, he scores another “hit,” wanting to feel that “high” once again.
We want to shunt these fools aside and get on with our lives, but is that the Godly thing to do?
In 1 Samuel 25, we read of Nabal, an exceedingly rich man from Maon, with 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats. He was of the house of Caleb, but his spirit and faith had diverged onto the paths of foolishness.
Samuel the prophet had just died at the age of 98, and Saul no longer knew any restraints. David, not yet king, was on the run for his life. He came upon Nabal shearing his sheep.
Verse 5 tells us: “David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name.”
The situation quickly spirals downhill, for Nabal fully plays the part of the fool. He insults David, insinuating he is little more than an escaped slave who should run back to Saul, his master.
It was nearly the death of Nabal, and it would have been if not for the wisdom of Nabal’s wife, Abigail, who steps in as mediator and peacemaker.
David acted in full propriety, and when the fool was foolish in return, God ordered the situation to David’s benefit. In short order, Nabal died a natural death, and all Nabal’s possessions, including his wife, were given into David’s hands.
Even the foolish person deserves to be treated with respect. God demands that of us. Their judgment is in God’s hands, not ours. He will take care of them in his own good time.
Good manners bring God’s blessings on everything we do.
Copyright © 2016 MyChurchNotes.net
Originally Published 2-1-16 in Relationships