Answering Fools

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 26.4-5, 9, 12
4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.

9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Reflection: Answering Fools
By John Tillman

Answer a fool. Don’t answer a fool. This famous mirrored pair of proverbs is almost a metaphor for the entire collection. Alone, either one of them makes sense. Together they seem absurd. Surely they can’t both be right? Surely neither of them can be wrong?

Firstly, we shouldn’t become fools.

Being wise isn’t as easy as just quoting a proverb or even putting it into practice. Even wise words can cause harm when foolish people quote them. Proverbs’ vivid picture of this is a drunken man, wildly swinging a thornbush. The man, anyone around him, and anyone trying to help are likely to be harmed.

We need wisdom to know how to use wisdom. When we quote aphorisms without regard to the situation, we are like that drunken thornbush-waving fool. “Pray more.” “Have a little faith.” “Is there sin in your life?” All three of these statements are scripturally valid and, at the right time, could be wise things to say. They will also wound someone who is suffering if we wave them around wildly. To a mother whose child is sick, any of the above statements are likely to feel like an attack.

Secondly, we should pursue wisdom humbly. 

Proverbs is a book of hope for fools. It calls to us to become wise and warns of something worse than being a fool — being wise in our own eyes. We all start foolish and simple. Lady Wisdom invites us to wisdom. Lady Folly whispers a lie that we’ve already arrived. Can we prevent others from falling into this trap? Can we prevent ourselves from doing so?

Do we answer fools or not? Do we try to remove the thornbush from the drunkard’s hand? 

Frustratingly, I think the answer is, “sometimes.” Sometimes, perhaps we can help fools stumble toward true wisdom. Sometimes the best thing we can do is help others avoid the thornbush-waving fools. In either case, we should take care and be humble. We can’t save everyone from their own foolishness, especially when we are still at risk of it ourselves.

Whatever we can do to prevent ourselves and those around us from becoming wise in our own eyes is probably worth the risk. We may be scratched by the thorns, but so was our savior. And he endured them to save fools like us.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Send forth your strength, O God; establish, O God, what you have wrought for us. — Psalm 68.28

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 26 (Listen 2:37)
Mark 16 (Listen 5:34)

Read more about Destiny of Grass vs Cedars
There are purposes for the flourishing of the wicked and one of them is that one day the world will see them fall.

Read more about RSVP to Wisdom or Folly
Two hostesses beckon. Which banquet will you enter? Who gets your RSVP?

Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 23.1-3, 6-8
1 When you sit to dine with a ruler, 
note well what is before you, 
2 and put a knife to your throat 
if you are given to gluttony. 
3 Do not crave his delicacies, 
for that food is deceptive.

6 Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, 
do not crave his delicacies; 
7 for he is the kind of person 
who is always thinking about the cost. 
“Eat and drink,” he says to you, 
but his heart is not with you. 
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten 
and will have wasted your compliments. 

Psalm 141.2-3
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; 
keep watch over the door of my lips. 
4 Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil 
so that I take part in wicked deeds 
along with those who are evildoers; 
do not let me eat their delicacies.

Reflection: Whose Table Are Your Feet Under?
By John Tillman

In certain parts of the South, a family member who comes home after a long absence might say as they sit down to supper, “I’m glad to have my feet under your table.” Having your feet under someone’s table represents presence and connection. It can also mean giving approval or being deceived. One might warn a friend about an untrustworthy person, saying, “Don’t set your feet under their table.”

Ancient cultures had similar views. Eating together was a form of public affection, approval, and even intimacy.

A ceremonial meal was part of worship in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Most sacrifices only burned a portion, which was God’s. The family or individual shared the remainder with the priests. This holy meal in the Lord’s presence represented a restored relationship—cleansed sinners putting their feet under the Lord’s table.

Jesus was called a glutton and drunkard for eating with outcasts and sinners. Jesus also ate with wealthy and powerful rulers. Rulers often treated him like an outcast. Simon the Pharisee neglected to greet Jesus with a kiss, wash his feet, or offer oil for his head. (Luke 7.36-50) It was the outcast, sinful woman who showed Jesus appropriate respect.

There is wisdom in not closely associating with those who would deceive us or tempt us with “delicacies.” We certainly should avoid situations in which we may be drawn into sin. However, scripture warns more strongly against eating with wealthy rulers than with the outcasts. Proverbs 23.3 and 6 say the delicacies on a ruler’s table are deceptive, and those of a begrudging host will cost you. Psalm 141.4 describes being drawn to what is evil, taking part in wicked deeds, going along with evildoers, and finally, enjoying their delicacies.

What delicacies tempt you? Power? Recognition? Pleasure? Proverbs 23.2 says to put a knife to your throat when deceptive delicacies are on the table. Psalm 141.3 asks the Lord to put a guard over one’s mouth and lips. Severe self-limitation and calling on the Spirit’s assistance are wise when temptations are near.

Let us be drawn to Christ, frequently putting our feet under his table and inviting others to join us. With the freedom of Christ, we can dine at other tables, whether as outcasts or family. When tempted by deceptive delicacies, may Jesus set a guard over our lips and our hearts.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, not lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
Their delight is in the law of the Lord, and they meditate on his law day and night.
They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper.
It is not so with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. — Psalm 1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings

Proverbs 23 (Listen 3:39)
Mark 13 (Listen 4:32)

Read more about The Undeserved Banquet of the Gospel
Meals during Christ’s earthly life were an important cultural ritual. They were more than just fraternity, but pedagogy.

Read more about Sitting with Sinners
Jesus sat and ate with sinners…Despite the judgmental attitudes of those who did not approve of his behavior

Hot-Button Conundrums

Scripture Focus: Mark 10.4-10
4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” 

5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 

Reflection: Hot-Button Conundrums
By John Tillman

Like all the religious leaders’ traps, this question posed a theological issue but was really a political maneuver.

Divorce was a hot-button issue because of a controversial national political figure with multiple divorces and sexual scandals. Some Jews loved him. They appreciated him restoring the Temple and wanted him to use Rome’s power to punish their enemies. Other Jews hated him. His gross ineptitude, pride, and lack of morality disgusted them. This ruler also had a violent history which included imprisoning the last prophet who spoke out about his marital controversy and having him beheaded.

In addition to potentially alienating female disciples and supporters, Jesus’ answer to this question could have gotten him killed. “Perhaps,” the leaders must have thought, “Herod will do our dirty work for us.”

Beyond the political, the Pharisees’ question about “lawful” divorce was about the man’s rights. They wanted to know if a man could divorce his wife and “send her away.” What happened to the woman was unimportant.

Their form of patriarchy often considered wives little better than servants or employees to be disposed of without guilt or cause. “Your services are no longer required. Clear out your desk for your replacement.”

Even when they were not trying to get him killed, the religious leaders often hoped Jesus would lose support by choosing a side in their debates. They presented problems that pitted God against Caesar, mercy against justice, and the weak against the strong. Jesus wasn’t having it.

“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
“Let any without sin throw the first stone at her.”
“What God has joined, let no one separate.”

Jesus refused to compromise truth because powerful people might be upset or followers might leave. Jesus also refused to weaponize laws to crush the weak or stroke self-righteous egos.

The right answer to difficult issues is not always in “the middle.” But Jesus stands in the center of God’s will. Stand with him. The right way is not always a “third way” or a fourth or fifth. Jesus’ way is the only way. Follow his way.

Well-meaning people will try to trap us with hot-button issues and conundrums in hopes we will compromise the gospel to be loved by the world or by them. To the best of our ability, let us resist entrapment. Hold both truth and compassion; refuse to compromise either.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. — Psalm 85.10

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 20 (Listen 3:19)
Mark 10 (Listen 6:42)

This Weekend’s Readings
Proverbs 21 (Listen 3:12Mark 11 (Listen 3:59)
Proverbs 22 (Listen 2:59Mark 12 (Listen 6:10)

Read more about The Catch All Commandment
Each one acquires as much as he can; the other may fare as best he can. And yet we pretend to be godly…

Read The Bible With Us
When immersed in the Bible, it’s easier to keep from getting lost in cultural storms. Read with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.
https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

Elijah Must Come First

Scripture Focus: Mark 9.9-13
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 
11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” 

Reflection: Elijah Must Come First
By John Tillman

At the transfiguration, Jesus, Peter, James, and John are joined by Moses and Elijah. These prophets experienced God’s glory on mountains in the past. Now they experienced God’s glory in Jesus.

After the transfiguration there is a discussion about John the Baptizer and the role of “Elijah” as the disciples walk back down the mountain with Jesus.

For Elijah, the transfiguration “mountain top moment” follows his past experiences of a mountain of triumph and a mountain of despair.

On his mountain of despair a storm, earthquake, and fire passed. Then Elijah heard the whispering voice of God and emerged from hiding, covering his face. On the mountain of transfiguration, Elijah, face uncovered, speaks with Jesus, who commands storms, shakes the Earth, and baptizes his followers with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Jesus says that Elijah “comes” and “has come.” John the Baptizer was the Elijah of his day, preparing the way for Jesus. John, like Elijah, had ups and downs. In one passage he proclaimed Jesus the Lamb of God and in another questioned if he should be looking for someone else.

In my life, I often waver between cynicism and hope. One week, I despair at anything getting done or getting better. Then, the next week, I throw myself into work and celebrate even minor improvements.

One day, considering the state of the world and the Church, I’m ready for Christ to come, burn it all down, and start over. On another day, I’m praying for time as I happily tilt at windmills with the idealistic energy of Don Quixote and threaten giants with the bright hope of young David, swinging a stone.

Despair is natural if change relies on us, but it doesn’t. Change relies on us relying on God. For change to occur, Elijah must come first. 

Come down the mountain and be Elijah. Stand in the wilderness and be John the Baptizer.

Be a voice crying in the wilderness. Prepare the way for one greater than ourselves. Call our age to repentance. Challenge the false prophets and point out their failure. Turn the hearts of children to parents and parents to children. Set the axe to the roots of hypocrisy.  Set in motion the restoration of all things.

We all have mountains of victory and despair in our past and present, but a mountain of transfiguration rises in our future.


Divine Hours Prayer: A Reading
Jesus said: “Now the hour had come for the Son of man to be glorified. In all truth I tell you, unless a wheat grain falls on earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.” — John 12.23-24


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Mark 9  (Listen 6:16)

Read more about Jesus with Axe and Fire
To burn out of our souls our preoccupation with ourselves we require a different kind of axe and a different kind of fire. Thankfully, Jesus stands ready to supply both.

Read more about Hate Conflict? Love Truth
Who is responsible for stirring up conflict?…the deceitful man…normalizes conflict, conceals conflict, and stigmatizes dissent.

Tares Will Burn

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 18.14-15
14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, 
but a crushed spirit who can bear? 
15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, 
for the ears of the wise seek it out. 

Matthew 13.30
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.

Reflection: Tares Will Burn
By John Tillman

It crushes the spirit and sickens the heart when evil returns and seems unopposed.

Recently in American cities, Nazis openly marched and chanted in the streets, referring to non-white people as feces and vermin.

Over 400,000 Americans died defeating the Nazi empire, yet today, Hitler’s flags and slogans in American streets brought shrugs from some politicians, media personalities, and Christians. “Are they really Nazis? Did anyone interview them to find out what they want?” As if we couldn’t listen to the chants, read the flags, or remember what Nazis want.

In the 1930s, Nazi ideology twisted and manipulated Christianity and the Bible into an explicitly anti-Christian mandate of hate. Nazi ideology was defeated by those who reclaimed Christianity from hatred, kinism, and fascism. Yet today, some think fascism might not be so bad, and some Christians have pulled Nazi definitions of Christendom from the trash heap of history and are reheating them on a stove to serve their followers.

Who can endure when sickness such as this returns and returns? How can our spirits not be crushed to witness moral and theological failure? To what can we appeal when those supporting hatred, violence, and oppression slander the very name of Christ?

There have always been tares among the wheat, false gospels among the true, and false Christs posing as “saviors” of the church or Christianity.

There is no glib proverb promising such things cannot happen in our time. There’s no easy answer other than proclaiming the truth. There’s no course of action other than staying the course in the way of Jesus.

There is good news. First, this evil is not unopposed. Don’t become distracted by Christian voices deceived by or apathetic to kinism and racism. Lend your voice to those who cry against such things.

We may be embarrassed by the arguments between Christians about whether it is bad that Nazis are marching or not. We may be disappointed or disillusioned by the failures of leaders or organizations to confront false Christendoms, false gospels, and false messiahs that promote them.

However, there are those longing to hear the truth if we will tell them. The heart of the discerning longs to acquire knowledge. The ears of the wise are seeking the truth.

There are tares in the field, but many people search for the true wheat. And someday, those tares will burn.


Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
Lord, who may dwell in your tabernacle? Who may abide upon your holy hill?
Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart.
There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend; he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
In his sight the wicked is rejected, but he honors those who fear the Lord.
He has sworn to do no wrong and does not take back his word.
He does not give his money in hope of gain, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things shall never be overthrown. — Psalm 15


– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

​Today’s Readings
Proverbs 18 (Listen 2:23)
Mark 8  (Listen 4:29)

Read more about Breathing Prayers
Breath prayers are simply short prayers which can be said “in a breath.” These are often taken from scripture.

Read more about A Sword Unsheathed
May we cry against violence not cry for it. 
May we end the suffering of the poor not endorse it.