Even Arbitrary Has a Beginning

(Proverbs 1:22 KJV)  How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

We start off the new year with three personality traits that are condemned:  Naivety, a critical spirit and ignorance.  Proverbs assumes that these are bad and that we can do something about them in our lives.  The hardest for me is in the area of being overly critical.  Some call me a cynic.  I call myself realistic.  The Bible uses “scorner” (scoffer NASB) (3917b).  It seems to me that being critical is part of avoiding “simplicity” (naive NASB) (6612a).  Obviously by this verse that is not true.  But we can do something about it.

And of course the question is “How long?” (4970/5704)  Isn’t that always the question?  How long can we expect God to be patient with us.  He is much more patient that we would ever be but contrary to some teaching, He will not wait forever.  If you don’t believe me, then read a few verses further and find out the harsh truth.

So?  It is the beginning of a new year.  That is totally arbitrary like the length of an inch, but it is useful for measuring.  Take a deep breath and get on with it.