O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this. (Psalm 92:5-6)
What is it exactly that the senseless man doesn’t know and the fool fails to understand? They can’t or won’t acknowledge that the works of God are great, nor can they discern that God’s ways are deep. In fact, the latter point identifies them as stubborn and devoid of spiritual understanding. I should point out that two different Hebrew words are used to describe these types of people, implying there are different kinds of unbelievers. The word used to describe the senseless man is related to a word that means “beast.” In other words, the senseless man is one who is completely ignorant of God’s ways and designs — He knows nothing. However, the ignorant man can be taught if he is of a mind to learn the ways of God, unlike the second man — the fool.
This man is different from the former in that he is not necessarily unintelligent; he may, in fact, have a brilliant mind. However, his study and intellectual pursuits do not include God’s word or wisdom but those issues that tend to serve his own interests, lusts and desires. Many such men actually despise the idea of moral and spiritual wisdom because, were they forced to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, they might be forced to change their thoughts and habits. In short, if there is an Almighty God, then there are rules, and if there are rules, there are consequences for breaking those rules.
I believe this is why such men will twist the truth to fit their own conclusions; they have no intention of changing their ways and so they distort truth to make it fit their lifestyle. They cleverly focus on one Biblical detail they claim makes no sense and then use that as a pretext to discredit all of Scripture, and by extension, its’ Author. But the psalmist exposes this game the fool is playing; it’s all smoke and mirrors meant to conceal the fact that the fool, intelligent as he is, doesn’t understand the deep things of God. As it is written, “The folly of fools is deceit” (Proverbs 14:8). In other words, though they claim to be wise, they reveal themselves to be fools and are thus compelled to deceive others that they might continue the ruse.
So what do you and I learn from this that is useful and inspirational? Obviously, we shouldn’t be ignorant of God’s ways — meaning we must continually study His Word and be filled with His Presence, We are children of the light and are not to be in the dark about what God is doing in the world. Furthermore, let us remember that without faith it is impossible to please God. I say this because it seems to me that having no faith is why the fool pursues his folly — he simply doesn’t want to believe.
Finally, let us be encouraged by the words of the Messiah; speaking to His disciples — and by extension all who believe in Him — He said, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11). Having understanding of God’s ways is a rich and eternal blessing. Let us never take it for granted.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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