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The Scoffer in Proverbs
The Scoffer in Proverbs
As we round out our looking at the fools of Proverbs, we look today at the third category that Proverbs deals with. We have seen the simple (naive) and the 'fool', now we encounter the scoffer. Again I would quote from Derek Kidner's analysis:
The scoffer
"The scoffer or scorner (lēs) makes about seventeen appearances in the book, and is contrasted with the wise, or coupled with the foolish, often enough to earn a place of his own in the fools’ gallery. His presence there makes it finally clear that mental attitude, not mental capacity, classifies the man. He shares with his fellows their strong dislike of correction (9:7, 8; 13:1; 15:12), and it is this, not any lack of intelligence, that blocks any move he makes towards wisdom (14:6). The mischief he does is not the random mischief of the ordinary fool, but the deeper damage of the ‘debunker’ and deliberate trouble-maker (21:24; 22:10; 29:8). He impresses the impressionable, as long as he is allowed his way (19:25; 21:11); but his bad influence is plain to most men (24:9). Of the ‘judgments … prepared for scorners’ (19:29), the final and most withering is a deep draught of their own medicine: ‘He (the Lord) scorneth the scorners’ (3:34)." [Derek Kidner, Tyndale Old Testament Commentary, Proverbs, Logos Edition]
Thus the continued admonition to be instructed. The simple, the fool, and the scoffer meet together in this one common characteristic: they refuse instruction, correction, and reproof. They rest in their own thoughts and ways. This produces not only major problems in this life, but brings eternal consequences as they reject no just men but God. Thus we see the 'scholars' of Athens are in the end 'fools', and the Bereans are commended as wise. To which group are you aligned with?
Hugh DeLong
