English: The photograph image of Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) at age 34. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nikola Tesla was born to Serbian parents in what is now modern-day Croatia. Undoubtedly a genius of a man, he was educated in such places as the Austrian Polytechnic in Graz, Austria, earning top grades. He had an eidetic memory, and spoke 8 languages. But along the way, his heart became ensnared in gambling to such a degree that he lost vast sums, putting himself in financial ruin. Nevertheless, Tesla did finally make it to France, where he began in 1882 working for the Continental Edison Company, transferring to New York City in 1884 to work for Edison himself.

After a falling out with Edison over an alleged broken promise of a $50,000 reward for his improvements to Edison’s motors and generators (Edison reportedly gave him an insulting $10 raise instead), he left to form his own companies, one of which was the Tesla Electric Company – formed with the backing of an attorney and a director of Western Union. Tesla’s inventions, patents, experiments, etc. gained him much wealth, and included such things as pioneering the use of AC current practically, X-ray experimentation, and radio technology (he lost a patent battle with Marconi in 1904). He made many other scientific contributions, and many more are rumored – though some have not yet been substantiated.

One of the oldest X-Ray photographs known – an X-Ray of Tesla’s hand

During his glory years, he lived in lavish hotels and celebrated his birthdays by throwing lavish parties to which he invited the press to announce his inventions and experiments – often making what some considered to be wild claims. Tesla had some disturbing views on what he termed “human pity” working against the “ruthless workings of nature,” which compelled him to support “selected breeding” and eugenics. But puzzlingly, some historians have described him as a “humanist!” But the genius innovator-turned-high-roller (who had sold his AC patents) died impoverished at age 84 in his hotel room.

Tesla was wealthy, but his vast intellect was just as much a part of his wealth (and indeed, probably more important to his own mind). But he died alone, broke, and no better off for any of it. Proverbs 18:11-12 read as follows:

A rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
and like a high wall in his imagination.
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor

The “high wall” of Tesla’s wealth and intelligence provided him no advantage in the end, nor did his pride. He had tried in vain to lay up his treasures on earth. It reminds us, of course, of the parable Jesus told of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 (part of which follows below) that tells of a man intent on accumulating wealth and making plans for using it, in which God tells the man:

“Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

We have said before that one of the main senses in which the Old Testament, and particularly the Book of Proverbs, uses the word “fool” is in reference to someone who is an unbeliever. Other definitions include one who acts unwisely or imprudently, and (our favorite) someone who is incorrigible – which often goes with the unbeliever. It is with these facts in mind that we now turn to the 14th verse of Proverbs 15:

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly

By definition, the one who has understanding has already begun to acquire some measure of wisdom (knowledge). And as Solomon has constantly drove home the point, beginning in Proverbs 1:7, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” So having gained wisdom, what does the person who fears the Lord continue to do? He continues to seek knowledge. And why is that? It is because he has learned for himself what is told to us in Proverbs 2:10-12:

…for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil

But as verse 14 also says, “the mouths of fools feed on folly.” The fool, whose mind is “set on the flesh”, having rejected God – having become hostile to God, and so cannot submit to God’s law (Roman’s 8:7), therefore must feed on folly in order to validate in his own mind that rejection. He will swallow any folly (or even delusion) that feeds that ignorance – from Darwinism to false religions, or even ancient alien ancestors! Anything, in his own mind, is better to the fool than bowing to the authority of the Almighty God.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.