This episode begins a survey of 5 types of fools described in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. The first level fool most closely approximates the “fool” in English. The pethey fool refers to the simple and naive one, and unlike the other 4 fools, doesn’t presume hatred or resistance to the knowledge of God. The pethey is credulous and uninformed and therefore vulnerable to the schemes of the wicked. The purpose of Proverbs is “to give prudence to the naive” (Proverbs 1:4) With respect to responding to the pethey, believers are strongly encouraged to instruct the simple with godly counsel. While saints are discouraged from responding to a “scoffer” (level 4 fool), Proverbs makes an exception in the event a scoffer’s words might negatively impact the pethey. Bad counsel must be corrected: “when the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise.” (Proverbs 21:11)
