FOOD POUCH

A bag, usually made of leather, carried over the shoulder by travelers, shepherds, farmers and others. It was used for food, clothing and other provisions, but was not the same as the smaller girdle purse used for gold, silver and copper coins. (Matt. 10:9; Mark 6:8) David’s “shepherds’ bag” was doubtless such a pouch. (1 Sam. 17:40) Jesus Christ, when sending out first the twelve apostles and then the seventy disciples, told them not to carry a food pouch. (Matt. 10:5, 9, 10; Luke 9:3; 10:1, 4; 22:35, 36) Thereby they would be depending upon Jehovah God to care for them in the ministry rather than being anxious for material things, what they would eat or be clothed with tomorrow.—Matt. 6:25-34.

FOOL

Rather than denoting a person who is lacking in mental ability, the word “fool,” as used in the Bible, generally refers to an individual who fails to use his mental faculties properly and follows a course out of harmony with God’s righteous standards. The course of the man Nabal illustrates the way of a fool. (1 Sam. chap. 25) Isaiah said a fool or senseless person will speak “mere senselessness, and his very heart will work at what is hurtful, to work at apostasy and to speak against Jehovah what is wayward, to cause the soul of the hungry one to go empty, and he causes even the thirsty one to go without drink itself.” (Isa. 32:6) The fool despises wisdom and discipline. (Prov. 1:7) In spite of the overwhelming evidence that the Creator exists, the senseless one says in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.” (Ps. 14:1) Others foolishly turn to idol worship. (Rom. 1:20-25) Instead of heeding counsel, the fool continues walking in a way he considers “right in his own eyes.” (Prov. 12:15) He is quick to take offense and bursts out in disputing.—Eccl. 7:9; Prov. 20:3.

Jesus Christ rightly referred to the scribes and Pharisees as “fools and blind ones,” that is, persons lacking wisdom and being morally worthless, for they had distorted the truth by man-made traditions and followed a hypocritical course. Moreover, Jesus backed up the correctness of this designation by illustrating their lack of discernment. (Matt. 23:15-22; 15:3) However, the individual calling a brother a “despicable fool,” judging and condemning his brother, would make himself liable to Gehenna.—Matt. 5:22; Rom. 14:10-12; Matt. 7:1, 2.

The foolish man who built his house upon the sand and the rich man whose land was producing well and who therefore planned to expand his storage facilities and then really enjoy life are examples of Jesus’ fine illustrations from daily life highlighting the foolishness of neglecting spiritual things and thereby missing out on the real blessing. Moreover, failing to “keep on the watch” in a spiritual way is folly, as emphasized by Jesus’ illustration of the five foolish virgins who, in going out to meet the bridegroom, took no oil with them for their lamps.—Matt. 7:24-27; Luke 12:16-21; Matt. 25:1-13.

To become truly wise a person must become a fool in the eyes of the world; “for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” It is not the worldly-wise whom Jehovah has chosen to represent him, but those looked down upon as persons without knowledge, fools, have been so favored. This has resulted in making the foolishness of this world even more apparent. Furthermore, this removes all reason for boasting on the part of the favored individual. Instead, all glory goes rightfully to the Source of wisdom, Jehovah.—1 Cor. 3:18, 19; 1:18-31.

Answering a fool in harmony with or “according to his foolishness” in the sense of resorting to his degrading methods of argument puts the one so doing in agreement with the fool’s unsound reasonings or ways. So as not to become like the fool in this respect, the proverb counsels: “Do not answer anyone stupid according to his foolishness.” On the other hand, answering him “according to his foolishness” in the sense of analyzing his contentions, exposing them as being ridiculous, and showing that his own arguments lead to entirely different conclusions than he has drawn can be beneficial, as shown at Proverbs 26:4, 5.

FOOT

In ancient times, as in many parts of the earth today, the feet were the main means of transportation. Some of the common people went barefoot, but sandals consisting of little more than a sole were commonly worn. (See SANDAL.) On entering a house the sandals were removed. An essential, virtually obligatory mark of hospitality was to wash the feet of a guest, the service being performed either by the householder or by a servant; or at least water was provided for the purpose.—Gen. 18:4; 24:32; 1 Sam. 25:41; Luke 7:37, 38, 44.

Since the sandals were removed when one was on holy ground, the priests when performing duties in the tabernacle or the temple undoubtedly served barefooted. (Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15) No sandals were included in the instructions for making the priests’ garments.—Ex. chap. 28.

CHRIST WASHES DISCIPLES’ FEET

Jesus Christ gave his disciples a lesson in humility and service to one another when he, their Master, washed their feet. (John 13:5-14; compare 1 Timothy 5:9, 10.) On this occasion Jesus said: “He that has bathed does not need to have more than his feet washed, but is wholly clean,” doubtless referring to the fact that even if one was bathed, his feet would get dusty even in a short walk and would frequently need washing. In the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry the priests and Levites on guard duty at the temple, after immersing themselves early in the morning, were not required to bathe again that day, except to wash their hands and feet. (See also Exodus 30:19-21.) By saying, “you men are clean, but not all [referring to Judas],” Jesus apparently gave his actions on this occasion an additional spiritual significance. (John 13:10, 11) At Ephesians 5:25, 26 Jesus is shown as cleansing the Christian congregation with the “bath of water by means of the word” of truth. Logically, Jesus’ faithful followers were likewise to show humble concern not only for the physical needs of their brothers but even more so for their spiritual needs. Thereby they would help one another to keep clean from the daily temptations and entanglements that might contaminate a Christian while walking in this world.—Heb. 10:22; Gal. 6:1; Heb. 12:13; see WASHING OF FEET.

“WALKING”

The words “foot” and “feet” are frequently used to denote a person’s inclination or the course he takes, good or bad. (Ps. 119:59, 101; Prov. 1:16; 4:26; 5:5; 19:2; Rom. 3:15) The word “walk” is used with similar significance, as in the statement, “Noah walked with the true God,” meaning that he took a course in harmony with God’s will and commandments. (Gen. 6:9; compare Ephesians 2:1, 2.) God directs the ‘feet’ of his faithful servants in the right path, figuratively, showing them the way to go so as not to stumble to a spiritual fall or be ensnared in evil, and sometimes even safeguarding them against capture by the enemy. (1 Sam. 2:9; Ps. 25:15; 119:105; 121:3; Luke 1:78, 79) On the other hand, he will cause the wicked to lose their footing and go down in defeat. (Deut. 32:35; Ps. 9:15) Jehovah warns against associating in a course with bad persons, or going in a bad path, (Prov. 1:10, 15; 4:27) He advises one to guard his feet when going to the house of God. The person should draw near with a sincere heart to hear and to learn.—Eccl. 5:1.

OTHER FIGURATIVE USES

Other figurative expressions are ‘resting place for the sole of the foot,’ that is, a place of residence or possession (Gen. 8:9; Deut. 28:65); “a footbreadth,” to indicate the smallest parcel of land one could possess (Acts 7:5; Deut. 2:5; compare Joshua 1:3);