Proverbs 24:9b …and the scorner is an abomination to men. 

The scorner must humble himself before he can learn: “When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge” (21:11). The wise person learns through instruction; the scorner often learns only through consequences.

God Himself opposes the proud: “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly” (3:34). This is perhaps the most serious warning. The scorner may mock God, His Word, His people, or His standards, but God is not mocked. Pride places a person in opposition to God, while humility opens the way to grace.

An important distinction exists between a fool and a scorner. The simple may not know better and can still be taught. The fool rejects wisdom and instruction. The scorner goes further; he mocks and ridicules wisdom itself and often attempts to make others despise it as well.

This is why Proverbs treats the scorner as particularly dangerous. A person who says, “I don’t know,” can be taught. A person who says, “I don’t want to know,” is harder to reach. But the scorner says, in effect, “What you believe is foolish, and I will ridicule it.”

Proverbs 24:9b …and the scorner is an abomination to men. 

A scorner rejects correction: “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise” (15:12). A scorner does not welcome someone who points out his error. Instead of considering correction, he resents the person giving it. Consequently, he avoids wise people because he does not want to hear anything that challenges his behaviour.

A scorner refuses wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (9:10). Proverbs contrasts wisdom with the scorner’s attitude. Wisdom begins with humility before God, while the scorner’s pride makes him unwilling to submit to God’s authority.

A scorner can influence others toward evil: “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease” (22:10). A scorner does not usually keep his attitude to himself. His mocking, criticism, and rebellious spirit can spread conflict throughout a family, workplace, or community. Removing such influence can remove a great deal of strife.

Scorning can make a person increasingly hardened: “Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools” (19:29). Repeated rejection of correction eventually brings consequences. The scorner may believe that he is mocking others, but ultimately he is placing himself under God’s judgment.

To be continued…

Proverbs 24:9b …and the scorner is an abomination to men. 

The scorner is worse than someone who merely lacks wisdom. He actively mocks wisdom and rejects correction. He ridicules righteousness, instruction, authority, correction, and often the things of God Himself. His attitude makes him difficult even for other people to tolerate.

The scorner does not simply say, “I do not know.” He says, in effect, “I know better, and I will not be corrected.” That pride makes him especially dangerous because correction cannot reach a heart that refuses to acknowledge its need for correction.

Scripture speaks very strongly about the scorner because a scorner is not simply an ignorant or foolish person. A fool may lack understanding, but a scorner actively rejects wisdom, despises correction, and ridicules what is right. His problem is therefore not merely a lack of knowledge but a proud and hardened heart.

To be continued…