“A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them. Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:3-4).
Often, it is easier to detect real and present physical dangers than their spiritual counterparts. An unstable, heavy boulder overhead, a wild, rushing torrent of water, and a rabid dog have some clear indicators of real and present danger.
Because of the immense spiritual wounds a fool’s wrath can inflict, the viciousness of his anger cannot be overestimated. Because of the insatiable hunger for pain envy and jealousy have, their venom has few effective antidotes.
No event in human history illustrates the viciousness and vindictiveness of envy and foolish wrath as does the crucifixion of Christ.
Even with all of their verbose pretentions and sanctimonious piety, Pilate easily discerned that the real reason the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to him was because of envy (Mat. 27:18). They had no righteous scruples.
The blind and senseless wrath which fueled the foolish Jewish officials to persuade the multitude to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus (Mat. 27:20), then volunteer to take upon themselves the guilt of shedding His innocent blood (Mat. 27:24-25) unveils for all to see the real and present danger of a fool’s wrath.
Envy and the wrath of fools are real and present dangers to everyone.
