Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,
so honour is not fitting for a fool.
Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
a curse that is causeless does not alight.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
and a rod for the back of fools.Proverbs 26:1-3
Unlike the previous chapter, which strung together a number of relatively unconnected gems of wisdom this one has a much more unified theme, dealing in turn with three kindred spirits: the fool (1 -12), the sluggard (13-16) and the mischief-maker (17-28). The metaphor in 1 has a twofold thrust: one idea is that of incongruity It is incongruous for a fool to be honoured; he is not the size for honour. One thinks of the adulation of worthless characters and their recognition in the Honours lists, and could wish for a more biblical approach in the awarding of the M.B.E. The other idea is the damage it can do. Rain can ruin a harvest, and giving honour to those unworthy of it demeans the honour and does harm to society. The operative word in 2 is 'causeless'. A curse uttered without cause is like the random flight of these birds: it will not light on its intended target. As Bridges puts it. 'Under this harmless shower of stones we turn from men to God and are at peace'. But we do well to remember that there can be real power from the evil one in them, as missionaries will confirm. Two things need to be said here: one it that we ought to keep well clear of those who dabble with dark spiritist powers; the other is that we must learn the power of the name of Jesus, for to speak that name against the darkest curse on earth is to prevail. For the thought in 3, see Psalm 32:9 which makes it clear that the thought here is that of discipline rather than retribution in punishment, for one does not normally punish these animals when using the bit or the bridle. The fool is either too lethargic, or too headstrong and therefore needs the whip to stir him or the bit to restrain him. Far better to be obedient, and so avoid the 'bit-and-bridle' guidance!