The Simple Scorner
Proverbs 1.22-33
Recently I was asked.
Who might the "simple ones" be who will be laughed at and mocked, by God (YAHWEH), when they are experiencing "calamities"? And, what might the calamities be that bring about their "fox-hole repentance"?
Prov 1:22-33 How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? 23 Give heed to my reproof; behold, I will pour out my thoughts to you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, 25 and you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you, 27 when panic strikes you like a storm, and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. 28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30 would have none of my counsel, and despised all my reproof, 31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way and be sated with their own devices. 32 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacence of fools destroys them; 33 but he who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil.
RSV
My answer follows:
Throughout the book of Proverbs a number of different types of people are identified and addressed. There are the simple ones, or those who are trying to decide who they are and where they stand with God, some have referred to these as spiritual children at a point of deciding for themselves what they believe about God. There are the scoffers who having heard about God and having been influenced in various ways by their culture, at least at first, scoff at those spiritual truths that touch their life. Scoffers may go in two possible directions, that of the scorner or that of the wise and repentant. Next there are the scorners, these have heard the clear wisdom of God and have willingly rejected it, and they scorn the spiritual things of God. A Scorner may repent but indications are that, due to their hardness of heart, it will be rare for one of these to convert and give themselves to God. Scorners have willingly and willfully rejected God and His counsel. Then there are the wise, these have acknowledged and surrendered to the Lordship and wisdom of Almighty-God. The wise may not be perfect, but they sincerely desire to live a life that is guided by and glorifying to God. The fool often spoken of in proverbs any fall into any of these categories, especially the first three.
The passage is very clear about who these simple ones are.
Proverbs 1:21-25 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
These simple are those who willfully follow the world’s pernicious ways. Notice that:
o They love simplicity (vs 22) – Perhaps they do not want to deal with the things of God. They want to fain ignorance.
o They delight in scorning (vs 22) – An indication of who is influencing them the most.
o They rejected God (vs 23-24) - God moved upon them with His Word and the illumination of the Holy Spirit and they refused.
o They disregarded and rebelled against God (vs 24-25) – They rejected the correction and direction of God, a sure mark of rebellion.
Hence the rest of the passage is their reward, it states:
Proverbs 1:26-33 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Notice that the desolation that will come upon them will be that of their own making, and it will come like a hurricane (whirlwind vs 27). Paul said it this way,
Galatians 6:7-9 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
These simple scorners thought that they knew better than God, and decided to do what they wanted to do rather than what God asked them to do. They decided that sin was a matter of every individual’s personal opinion and rejected the clear and eternal counsel of God. Self-willed and wicked people often believe that they know best, but in the end God always knows best and offers the way of life in His unchanging written Word. We must be reminded often:
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
When God gives us a command either to or not to do something it is because He is trying to lead us in the way of prosperity and blessing, and is trying to protect us from the devastating affects of sin.
One thing is certain, self-willed and rebellious people will one day “. . . eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them” (vs 31-32).
So what is the end of this passage of scripture? Hear God and study to obey Him. Seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, and you will find Him. Draw near to Him and never allow the allurements of prosperity and sin to strangle or starve your spiritual life. For all who seek God with a fervent heart will surely find Him.
Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
I hope this answers your question.
A Response:
Yesterday I sent out an email that was in response to a question sent by a fellow Christian. His reply follows and my response to his reply. I forward it because many others may benefit from this brothers questions and apparent frustration.
He Wrote:
WHERE ARE THOSE PEOPLE?
Rev 22:10-11 And he said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." RSV
This scripture tells about four types of people who lived at the time of this prophecy, who would continue to be around when "the time is near" (latter days). But only two of the four types can be seen at this time. This world has millions and millions of people who, still, do evil things. It also has millions and millions of people who, still, are "filthy". But where are the people who, still, are righteous? And where are this world’s people who, still, are "holy"?
Note that this scripture does not say, "righteous, in position". And why do today’s "righteous in position" christians do so many "evil" things that make them "filthy"?
Where can a few righteous, or holy, human beings be seen at this time? True, there are some christians who have been made to believe they are holy. But the "fruit of their sinful flesh" proves they are far from being holy. (They aren’t even righteous.)
Why don't any christians even want to be PERFECT when scripture reveals that is must be a fact?
Signed
A Christian Brother
In Answer I Wrote:
Dear Sir,
There is still a remnant. They are few and hard to find. Jesus said,
Matthew 7:13-16 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
WE must believe God, and know that there are still those who seek after God with their whole heart, those who hate sin and evil and seek to live righteous lives. These are they that have received the Holy Spirit of God and have been transformed by the renewing of their minds. Do they struggle with temptation? Indeed they do! But they refuse to make excuses for their sin, and should they commit a heinous sin they will immediately repent with bitter tears.
These still exist Robert, because God’s people are still here in this world. The Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is still present and alive. It is vexed by the tares, they unredeemed, the false congregations that thoroughly surround it. Yet, it still lives and declares the glorious Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Perhaps we are not certain where this Church may be found, and are tormented with the discouragement of our adversary because of our un certainty. But one thing is certain:
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Where may this Church be found? It is in your heart and life. Take the reality of the presence of Jesus Christ into the congregation that God has placed in and breath new life into that body. Compassionately, nurture and cherish each individual and bring them into the real, living relationship you have in Jesus Christ (1 Cor 12; Eph 4). Whatever you do, do not give up on our Lord’s living body, the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand fast in the faith. Fight the good fight of faith. Let Jesus live through you.
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