(Prov 26:1 MSG) We no more give honors to fools than pray for snow in summer or rain during harvest.
This morning we get back to our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Here Solomon teaches us about something that is not mentioned much today: honor. Our modern day understanding of honor may be skewed, so I will share with you what Noah Webster’s Dictionary of the American language from 1828 had to say about it. Back then Webster defined honor as:
1. To revere, to respect, to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to. Example: Honor thy father and mother (Exodus 20).
2. To reverence, to manifest the highest veneration for, in words and actions; to entertain the most exalted thoughts of; to worship, to adore. Example: That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father (John 5).
3. To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to elevate in rank or station; to exalt. Example: Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honor (Esther 6).
As a side note, I wish our modern dictionaries acknowledged the authority of scripture and freely gave scripture references with the definitions, as they once did. Webster actually had more to say about this, but these three should give you a good idea of what it means to honor. The next word in the dictionary is honorable and Noah Webster went on to describe the lives of those who are worthy of the honor listed here. At no point should this type of honor be given to a fool; or anyone who is not worthy of it.
The picture Solomon paints for his readers would have been clearly understood at the time. In Palestine there was hardly any rain from the early showers of spring to October. So rain during the “harvest,” or even more farfetched “snow” during the summer, would be extremely strange and incongruous. The point of the proverb is that it is equally out of place to honor fools. Not only is it morally unfitting, but it also encourages the fool to continue in his folly.
It’s unfortunate, but in today’s society it is not uncommon to see someone with flawed character rewarded and applauded openly. It’s almost as if morality, integrity, character, and personal conduct mean nothing. But make no mistake, while society may overlook personal conduct, our God does not.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Honor the Lord daily. Respect, revere, reverence, exalt, adore, and worship your heavenly Father with your whole heart, in all that you put your hands to do.
2. Live an honorable life. Remember that you represent your God, your family, and your organization (for those who are working) daily. Clothe yourself with God’s grace as you enter the day and seek to live upright before Him and man, so that you can bring glory to His name.
3. Honor those, and only those, who are honorable. Give honor to whom honor is due (Rom 13:7), but withhold honor from those to whom honor is not due. When you honor and applaud the fool you lower your standards, compromise your faith, and promote the lifestyle of foolishness.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your divine standards. You are standards are outlined in Your Word. Your Word is the ruler by which I judge my decisions. Your Word is the center and circumference of my decision making process. Your Word is the base and the boundary for my life. Your Word is Your will documented and I seek Your will with my whole heart. I honor You daily with my thoughts, words, and deeds. I seek to bring glory to Your name with all that I do. I do all that I can, by Your grace, to live an honorable life, so that I can receive glory and then turn around and deflect that glory back to You! I honor You and I honor those, and only those, who are honorable! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
