Proverbs 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
Proverbs 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Two verses, back to back, just waiting for some unbeliever to find and mock the truthfulness of the Word. Yes, it appears Solomon brought contradictory (paradoxical?) truths to the reader by starting the first verse with the negative – Answer not a fool … and the second with an affirmative – Answer a fool…

Surely this is proof that the Word has defects, errors and is illogical, for Solomon made such a contradiction in the very next verse!

It just didn’t make sense for me, and, as a paradox is wont to do, it took me outside of my usual way of thinking.

I suppose it is important to remember that the Proverbs were written to provide wisdom to the reader, and that Solomon is providing wisdom in how to respond to a fool.

What does the reader want to accomplish?

When a fool is pratting on about something that is obviously in error, Solomon gives counsel to refrain from responding in order to protect your own reputation, to refrain from joining the fool in his foolishness.

In the next verse, Solomon provides the option to respond to the fool in order to publicly reveal the foolishness of the fool.

Wisdom is needed when we deal with fools, and the proper approach to each situation is dependent on the circumstances, the audience, the topic and the possible reception of the rebuke by the fool.

Some fools are committed fools. No response will provide a good result. It may only provide an opportunity for your reputation to be tarnished.

Some fools are somewhat flexible, somewhat receptive. This is the type of fool that, to the point of his being teachable, is to be answered back to, revealing the foolishness of the fool.

As I mentioned earlier, Proverbs is a book providing wisdom for the one who seeks it, and to discern the different situations for each application of these “seeming” contradictions requires wisdom from on high.

And if for some reason, I am the fool, I pray that I am the one that can be rebuked. For we all are at one time or another foolish in our ways, and a great benefit of the family of God is that others may come to correct us. We need to be open though to this correction, walking humbly amongst our brothers and sisters, even pulling a trusted friend aside, seeking honest feedback on our lives.

But before you ask for feedback, seek God and his humility, for the sting of a rebuke may be healing only if we do not reject it. If we fight and argue, even reject the feedback, we may eventually become the first fool.

Trust me – You don’t want to be the first fool and be wise in your own eyes!

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