The origin of April Fool’s day is uncertain although most historians will place the onset in the mid-1500s. Why? According to history, it was the Council of Trent (1563) that mandated the switch of the new year from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar. With the Julian calendar, each new year was generally celebrated during the Spring equinox about April 1st. However that changed with the Gregorian calendar which began the start of the new year on January 1st. Not everyone got the message, and for some time those who continued to celebrate the new year on April 1st bore the brunt of many jokes and hoaxes. They were labeled “April Fools.”
Webster defines fool as a person lacking judgment or prudence. From a biblical perspective, the wisest known person, King Solomon, has the most to say about fools within the Book of Proverbs. So often Solomon lays out the path of wisdom and just to be sure we thoroughly understand, he counters with the antithesis of the path of a fool. I thought it might be fun on this April Fool’s Day to simply list the characteristics of fools. Although I will not provide specific references, these characteristics can easily be located in the Book of Proverbs—they are there if you take the time to find them.
King Solomon’s description of the fool, from Proverbs
fools despise wisdom and instruction the folly of fools is deception
fools hate knowledge a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure
fools get only shame fools spurn a parent’s discipline
folly…is simple and knows nothing the hearts of fools are not upright
a foolish son brings grief folly brings joy to one who has no sense
a chattering fool comes to ruin a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth
a fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes fools find no pleasure in understanding
the way of fools seems right to them fools delight in airing their own opinions
fools show their annoyance at once the mouths of fools are their undoing
a fool’s heart blurts out folly wisdom is too high for fools
fools expose their folly the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace
fools detest turning from evil fools give full vent to their rage
a fool’s mouth lashes out with pride
there is more hope for a fool than one who speaks in haste
Oh my, that is quite a list! The sad part is that I cannot claim I have never fallen somewhere on this list from time to time. Perhaps you feel the same way. Yet there is hope—there is always hope!
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
On this April Fool’s Day, we acknowledge our own foolish ways. We humbly ask your forgiveness and thank you for your mercy.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
The devotional April Fool’s Day appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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