Be a Loner

(Proverbs 14:7 KJV)  Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.

The NASB has a slightly different translation:

    PRO 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, Or you will not discern words of knowledge.

I went through every commentary I have on disk and could not find a reason for the difference.  One is a warning about how fools will keep us from learning, the other is an emphasis on the need to be perceptive.  Which is correct?  I think this is a place where both are.  Each translation gives us genuine insight into the mind of God.  I would hope that the Hebrew contains both ideas.  Together they teach me something about my fellowship with Jesus.

On a day to day basis, we must take action if we want the touch of God.  He will reach out and hit us over the head at times but that is not the way He wants us to walk.  The previous verse talks about scoffers who seek and cannot find.  Here it tells us that finding is not possible if we do not “leave” (1980) certain places and people.  I thought of how Paul phrased this.  He points out that it is so called brothers that we are to avoid.

(I Corinthians 5:9-11)  I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; {did} not at all {mean} with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he should be an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one. (NASB)

Think of the times that Jesus got away to be alone with the Father.  Even in the Garden of Gethsemane He went away from the disciples to pray.

I think of vacation times and weekends.  I love to sit on a patio somewhere and watch the squirrels and birds.  I am away from the presence of all fools except myself.  I can concentrate of the lessons that God is trying to teach me.  Time alone to reflect and meditate on the things of God is important.  I want to “discern” (3045) [yada] the things of God.  I cannot do that with fools around.  I need to leave, physically if possible, or at least emotionally in certain restaurants or libraries where I can focus.

Who we hang with effects our ability to learn.  The mere “presence” (5048) of a “fool” (3684) is enough to block our minds.

So?  Find time to get away.  If you have never done it on a regular basis then you don’t know what you are missing.  Make it a priority because if you don’t, it won’t happen.  Be honest about that.  There are wonderful lessons waiting to be learned.