Proverbs 10:8
"The wise of heart will receive commands, but a babbling fool will be ruined"
On the face of this proverb it seems to be about the need for submission. The person who is wise will be willing to submit to the commands of others – first God and then those who are in positions of God-given authority.
the wise of heart will receive commands
The wise of heart have learned that the commands or the commandments are the way that the Hebrew literally reads. It is the Septuagint translation of the Hebrew text that reads the wise-hearted takes or receives commands, injunctions, or orders.
The person who is wise – who really is looking for God's choice in the decisions of their life – is willing to receive God's commands and other’s. If there is no ability to receive commands – but only the ability to give them – then you are a fool. If you must be in control and are unwilling to be a part of a team in which people smarter, faster, and better work with you and above you, then you will be ruined.
Commands is the Hebrew word mitswah which is the word for commandment, command, and precept. It is used most for commandment.
but a babbling fool will be ruined
The Septuagint version reads the homeless or roofless lippy person is crooked or perverted.
The Hebrew reads the fool or perverse person who is full of speech or talk has been thrust down or cast aside.
There is an element in this word fool that means one who has not done anything but is only talking a wonderful story. This person does not have anything to show for their theories or concepts, etc. They are all talk and nothing accumulated to show that it really works. This is the person with lots of degrees in marriage and family but with a bad marriage and rebel kids. This is the person who tells others all about God but does not actually pray or practice their faith.
This demonstrated wisdom would fit well in this section of the book of Proverbs where wisdom has hewn out her seven pillars and invites people to her banquet table.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz