The concept of hastiness, particularly in decision-making and speech, is frequently addressed in the Bible as a characteristic that leads to folly and undesirable outcomes. The Scriptures provide numerous warnings against acting or speaking without careful thought and consideration, emphasizing the wisdom found in patience and deliberation.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs, a key source of wisdom literature in the Bible, frequently contrasts the wise with the foolish, often highlighting the dangers of hastiness. Proverbs 19:2 states, "Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark." This verse underscores the idea that enthusiasm or urgency, when not guided by knowledge and understanding, can lead to error and misjudgment.

Proverbs 21:5 further illustrates this principle: "The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty." Here, the diligent, who plan carefully and act with patience, are contrasted with those who act hastily, resulting in lack and want. The implication is that careful planning and thoughtful action are more likely to yield positive results than impulsive behavior.

Speech and Communication

The Bible also addresses the folly of hasty speech. Proverbs 29:20 warns, "Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him." This verse highlights the potential for damage when words are spoken without forethought, suggesting that even a fool has more hope than someone who is quick to speak without considering the consequences.

James 1:19 offers practical advice for believers: "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This New Testament exhortation aligns with the wisdom of the Old Testament, advocating for a measured and thoughtful approach to communication.

Impulsiveness and Consequences

The Bible provides narratives that illustrate the consequences of hasty actions. One notable example is found in the account of Esau, who, driven by immediate hunger, hastily sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34). This impulsive decision results in long-term consequences for Esau, demonstrating the potential cost of acting without considering future implications.

Similarly, King Saul's hasty decision to offer a burnt offering in Samuel's absence (1 Samuel 13:8-14) leads to his rejection as king. Saul's impatience and failure to wait for the prophet Samuel's arrival reveal the dangers of acting precipitously, especially in matters of spiritual significance.

Spiritual and Moral Implications

The folly of hastiness is not merely a practical concern but also a spiritual and moral one. Acting hastily often reflects a lack of trust in God's timing and provision. Isaiah 28:16 declares, "Therefore the Lord GOD says: 'Behold, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.'" This verse encourages believers to place their trust in God's steadfastness rather than succumbing to the instability that often accompanies hasty decisions.

In summary, the Bible consistently portrays hastiness as a path to folly, urging believers to cultivate patience, wisdom, and trust in God's timing. Through the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, the Scriptures advocate for a life marked by careful thought, deliberate action, and measured speech, aligning with the broader biblical call to live wisely and righteously.Proverbs 29:20
See you a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Nave's Topical Index

Twenty-Second Lesson. My Words in You. '
... Thy lesson this day has again discovered to me my folly. ... slow to speak; let not thine
heart be hasty to utter ... word taken up into my life that my words can be ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/twenty-second lesson my words in.htm

Lessons for Worship and for Work
... of verse 8, nor has the demonstration of the folly of covetousness ... His exaltation
and our lowliness should check hasty words, blurting out uppermost wishes, or ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/lessons for worship and for.htm

Defence of S. Basil's Statement, Attacked by Eunomius, that the ...
... let us hear what proof he brings of the folly' of these ... all his mastery of logic,
he takes Basil's words to pieces ... "Anomalous in phrase," "hasty and dishonest ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 37 defence of s.htm

He Shows How Heretics Pervert Holy Scripture, by Replying to the ...
... the argument drawn from the Apostle's words, "Without father ... this, whether with greater
wickedness or folly, I hardly ... But that hasty craze for denying God did ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xiv he shows how.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, "When Jesus had Finished These Sayings ...
... at times, if I may boast of the things of folly. ... her, take away her ornaments; if
a hasty tongue, restrain ... are also displeased at other noble words"both the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxvii on the words.htm

'The End of the Lord'
... him will I:accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye ... of God's
righteousness, which had been the attribute impugned by Job's hasty words, but of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end of the lord.htm

Kept by the Power of God
... run upon the street wild, and to go on in paths of sin and ignorance and folly,
what would ... And when your temper and hasty judgment and sharp words came out ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/kept by the power of.htm

How Brother Juniper Took Certain Little Bells from the Altar, and ...
... who has done this, but thine own folly; for thou ... Juniper cared little or nothing
for these words, for he ... flour and butter, to make a good hasty-pudding, with ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter v how brother juniper.htm

The Same Continued.
... learned these pursuits,"equally hasty and untenable ... in a sheer volley of casual and
unconsidered words. ... had anathematized the vague folly under consideration ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 18 the same continued.htm

The Exile Continued.
... loneliness sighing through all their fierce folly: "All of you ... of Achish should be
quoting the words of the ... A hasty flight from Philistine territory ended this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

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