As we turn to Proverbs 10, we find the “true” format of the Book: a wise saying is offered in one verse, followed by another wise saying in the next verse. The two are typically not related. There is a commonality about all these proverbs, though. They lay out four types of people: 1) Wise; 2) Righteous; 3) Foolish; and 4) Wicked. We could combine the wise and the righteous, because we’re told righteousness brings wisdom, and we could assume the wise are righteous in the way they live, but King Solomon uses these two categories as he offers us his wise sayings. We want to be found in the categories of the wise and the righteous as we read the proverbs and live them out in in Jesus’ name. The third and fourth type of people are separate, but they can also be found together. A fool, or foolish person, is not necessarily evil. He or she might not mean to do others harm, but they live in such ways as to do harm to themselves and others. Foolishness causes us to do unwise things, and the consequences are typically negative. While the wise and righteous learn from instruction and change as a result, the fools don’t learn from instruction, and they continue in their patterns of foolishness. The only way to change a fool’s behavior is to give a tangible consequence. While the fool might not learn from the consequence, his behavior will change, at least for the duration of the consequence. The wicked are selfish and plot to do others harm. They care only about themselves and live for their own benefit. Wise people and righteous people avoid the wicked, because they understand the wicked don’t change, short of direct intervention from God. We have an obligation to tell the wicked about Jesus, but we don’t have an obligation to let them hurt us in the process. As we read the proverbs and other sections of Scripture, as we go about daily life, it is wise for us to ask ourselves: Am I learning from the lessons the LORD is putting before me in His word, in His world, and through His people? If the answer is “Yes,” then praise the LORD! Keep it up. If the answer is, “No,” then it’s time to call on Him to move us from our foolish or wicked ways and back to Him.
Proverbs 11 moves back and forth between telling us what happens to those who pursue righteousness and the foolish and wicked. The contrasts are broad and the implications clear: the LORD rewards the righteous, and punishes the foolish and wicked. As we read these words, we see they are absolutely true. The wise and righteous will read them, learn from them, and live more fully in the LORD’s ways. At the same time, those of us who have trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord, must always remember living with the Holy Spirit in control takes away the need for us to live according to the Law, to the ways of the Old Covenant. That doesn’t mean we ought to ignore the Old Testament, but as we read it, we read it through the lens of God’s grace demonstrated in Jesus, and His power extended to us through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps to bring truth and wisdom to our minds when we need it, as we live in Him and call on His name.
Proverbs 12 moves us once again back and forth between the way a righteous person acts and how the wicked acts the opposite. We don’t see so much about the wise and the foolish in this chapter, but we continue to see King Solomon push us toward righteous and virtuous lives instead of wickedness. The final verse of the chapter shows us the ultimate “destination” for the wise and the righteous: 28In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28 (ESV)
As we return to Luke 15, we read again the parables of the three “lost” possessions: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. The context of the parables is so important: Jesus was speaking to a group of tax collectors and other “sinners,” along with a group of religious leaders. These two groups represented the opposite ends of Jewish society. The religious leader thought of themselves as the wise and righteous ones we read about in Proverbs 10-12. The tax collectors not so much. Jesus made it clear to the tax collectors and sinners that God was looking for them. He is represented by the shepherd, the woman who lost the coin, and the father of the two sons. He was also making it clear to the religious leaders that God is gracious. Righteousness isn’t only about following the rules. Righteousness is also right relationship with God and others. This is seen most clearly in how the father in the final story goes out to the “good” son, and tells him how important it is to celebrate with his younger and prodigal brother, who has come home. We can’t live in self-righteousness, or as rule followers and understand the true righteousness of God. As Andy Stanley put it in his book Irresistible: Jesus liked people who were nothing like Him, and people who were nothing like Him liked Jesus. As we go about our days, we must seek to live in wisdom and righteousness in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do, we must also let the power of the Holy Spirit move us to compassion for those who are still lost and who need us to be participants in welcoming them home.