“The wise of heart will receive commands,
But a babbling fool will be ruined.”
Proverbs 10:8 (NASB)
The Apostle James tells us that we are to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). We are reminded of why this is necessary in Proverbs 10:8. The wise of heart will receive commands because receiving commands requires listening. The word “commands” here refers especially to the commandments of God. The wise will listen and appropriate God’s word. In contrast the babbling fool will be ruined. The word for “babbling” used here is “saphah” which is also used to refer to a seashore or a river bank. The fool talks unceasingly just like a flowing river or pounding surf. It is impossible to both speak and listen effectively at the same time therefore we should strive to speak less and strive to listen more and especially to the words of God which will cause us to become wise.
Questions for application…
Why is important to listen more than we speak?
What does it mean to be a “babbling fool”?
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