Fools at the Table
For three things the earth is disquieted,
and for four which it cannot bear:
For a servant when he reigns;
and a fool when he is filled with meat.
The table is the place of decision making. It is the frontiers of governance where critical issues are resolved, the boardroom of top class resolutions exclusively reserved for people of wisdom and substance. It was at this place of honour that Solomon found a fool, filled with meat. That means there is a wise person that lost his seat for a fool to find a space. For every fool that is filled with meat, there is a wise person that is hungry.
The wise operates by the principle of wisdom, instructions and understanding but fools have no regard for any of these virtues. When the wise loses his wisdom by making foolish decisions, either due to negligence of principles or laziness to follow through, a fool can apply the wisdom principle and get result.
Hear this, “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent” (Prov. 17:27-28).
The wisdom in speaking few words, keeping silent when it matters most, being even tempered could all be copied by a fool to gain favour, get bread or secure a place at the table. Do you now understand the reason for the selfish leaders you see all around?
Jesus gave a parable to teach the children of light a lesson. A rich man was about to sack his servant, the guy went to all the debtors to negotiate for a soft landing for himself. He got a good deal and damned the consequence of the sack. The story ended thus;
“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light (Lk. 16:18).
Beyond the Christian virtues you have learnt, it behooves on the believer to walk in wisdom, understanding, follow instructions and understand the peculiarities of the fields in which they are playing. This does not call for a compromise but a robust and versatile culture that taps into the vastness of divine resources for relevance and dominance in this present world.