Proverbs 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he has no heart to it?
‘Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom…’ Why should a fool be entrusted with the means to acquire wisdom when he neither values it nor understands its worth? For though he holds treasure in his hand, his soul is void of understanding. He may possess silver and gold, access to teachers, and even the Scriptures themselves, yet if his heart is closed, wisdom cannot enter. He seeks knowledge in name, but not in truth; for his heart is not set to obey, nor does he desire the fear of the Lord. Wisdom cries aloud, yet he regards her not, and her reproofs are counted as nothing in his sight. Without reverence for truth or a willingness to change, all instruction is wasted.
‘Fool to get wisdom.’ Seven examples of lack of wisdom: Israel (2Chr. 30:10) – When invited to return to the Lord through the Passover, the northern tribes mocked and scorned the messengers of God, refusing the path of wisdom and mercy. The Jews in Nazareth (Luke 4:28) – Upon hearing the truth from Jesus in the synagogue, they were filled with wrath rather than repentance, rejecting the wisdom of God spoken in their midst. Herod Antipas (Luke 23:11) – Though he long desired to see Jesus and witness a miracle, he mocked the Saviour instead of humbling himself before divine wisdom. The Jews (John 5:40; 8:45) – They refused to come to Christ for life and rejected His words because He spoke the truth, proving they had no heart for true wisdom. The Athenians (Acts 17:32-33) – When Paul preached the resurrection, many mocked and turned away, valuing human philosophy over divine revelation. Felix the Governor (Acts 24:25-27) – Though convicted by Paul’s preaching on righteousness and judgment, he delayed repentance, preferring greed and power over godly fear. Herod Agrippa (Acts 26:28) – He was almost persuaded to become a Christian, yet he withheld his heart and remained in darkness, loving the praise of men more than the truth of God.
Living the Word 