Malachi 1-2, Revelations 6, Proverbs 26:1-12
Proverbs 26:6 (ESV)
“Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his
own feet and drinks violence.”
In Proverbs 26:6, Solomon warns believers about the danger
of trusting a fool to deliver an important message. In the book of Proverbs, a
“fool” is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but someone who rejects
wisdom and the ways of God the Father. Solomon explains that entrusting a fool
with responsibility brings harm upon oneself—not as punishment from God, but as
the natural consequence of poor judgment. He uses the vivid image of cutting
off one’s own feet—an act that would stop progress entirely and leave a person
helpless. Solomon then adds another striking metaphor: “drinking violence.”
When a believer trusts a fool, they willingly accept harm, chaos, and
destructive consequences.
Reading this verse immediately reminded me of the messenger
in Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. In the story, Friar Laurence
sends a letter to Romeo through Friar John, explaining that Juliet is not truly
dead but only asleep because of a potion. When Friar John fails to deliver the
message, Romeo believes Juliet is dead and takes his own life in her tomb. When
Juliet later awakens and finds Romeo dead, she also kills herself. I don’t
believe Friar John was a fool, but he was certainly an unreliable messenger. Scripture’s
definition of a fool points to a pattern of disregard for wisdom, not a single
mistake. Still, Shakespeare’s tragedy vividly illustrates the disastrous
consequences Solomon describes in Proverbs.
I remember a college professor in my theater literature
class scolding us for not knowing the Bible well enough. She explained that
much of Western literature is filled with biblical references because educated
readers were once expected to know Scripture. Without that knowledge, we would
miss important meanings and misunderstand what playwrights were trying to
communicate. Today, it would be like watching the movie Scream without
recognizing the slasher-film tropes it satirizes.
This is the first time I can remember clearly recognizing a
direct biblical principle reflected in a play, and it made me appreciate what
my professor was trying to teach us. The Bible is far more than a literary
reference—it is the living word of Father-God. Still, it’s meaningful to see
how deeply its wisdom shaped influential Western thinkers and writers. As
believers in Christ, we are called to read Scripture regularly, because it
offers enduring wisdom and the truth of God’s word—wisdom people have valued
for centuries.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel compelled to
place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whose wisdom has been treasured
throughout history—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to
Him through the following prayer and express your trust in Him. Share your
desire to walk with Him and welcome His presence into your life. God is
faithful and ready to meet you wherever you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for
all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart
that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is
my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of
salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made
new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of
Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit-filled, full-Gospel,
Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s
love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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