Day Twenty-Four

Proverbs 24:9 (Dissected and Defined):
The thought (plan) of foolishness (silliness) is sin: and the scorner (resister) is an abomination (extreme hatred) to men.

Daily Devo Paraphrase:Proverbs is a book of underlying meanings written to a young son who probably struggled with a penchant for silliness.  These underlying meanings are taught so that Solomon’s son would grow into a wise leader, business man, husband and father, and man of God.

I suppose in his lessons to his son, you could find Proverbs 24:9 to be under the topic, “Maturity 101.”  One who rises to a place of leadership must live above the fields of foolishness and gain a maturity within them that is worthy to be followed by others.

“The plan of silliness” is not an indictment on jovial entertainment.  Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that God gives us seasons of relaxation, rejuvenation, and laughter.  But, immaturity must not become a lifestyle.
II Kings 2 tells a story of the prophet Elisha being ridiculed by a group of teenagers that were practicing silliness.  They were mocking him.  God was so angry at their immature behavior that He sent bears to devour forty-two of these foolish teens!

This is the silly crowd that Solomon is warning his son to avoid.  It is this same group of people that make a mock at sin.  Their maturity levels are low.  Sin is considered humorous.  They are plagued with their own short-sightedness in their daily lives.  They underestimate the long-term devastations of such silly behavior.

Followers won’t follow immaturity for long, even if their dad is the King and they are set to succeed him.  It is an abomination to others to ask them to follow in the footsteps of silly people, when they will only lead the follow-ship to destruction.According to Proverbs 1, this silly person has rejected the cry of Wisdom (the Holy Spirit) for the laughter of immaturity.

How silly it is to reject the development of your Inner Wisdom in exchange for a lifestyle of frivolity and musing.  In the end, you will say, “What have I to show for my years of laid back living?”  “Nothing!” will be your sad reply.  How silly.