Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Scoffers & Mockers v. the Prudent & Wise, Proverbs 14:6-10
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
Proverbs 14:6–10
[6] A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
[7] Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.
[8] The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.
[9] Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.
[10] The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no stranger shares its joy. (ESV)
Scoffers & Mockers vs. the Prudent & Wise
v.6 One who arrogantly believes he is wise in his own right, mocks the wisdom of others, or thinks he’s read the Bible and doesn’t think there is anything else to be gleaned from it will not be capable of acquiring wisdom from others. The truly wise individual has discernment and easily acquires further wisdom from others, especially God's Word.
v.7 Fools keep company with other fools. The Wise does not waste time trying to learn from a fool but avoids them altogether, lest their foolishness rubs off on them.
v.8 Expanding on the previous two verses, discernment is clarified. A prudent person examines his life, discerning foolishness from wisdom. A prudent person does not merely accumulate wisdom but seeks to apply it. His self-examination is based on the Word of God. Therefore a prudent person examines his life against the Bible and discerns if he has used his knowledge wisely. The fool is guided by stupidity. The ignorant do not know they are not wise. The stupid fail to examine their lives to see if the wisdom they have acquired has been properly applied. This deceives the fool into accepting his sinful behavior.
v.9 This verse details the concept of self-examination from the previous verse. The stubbornly foolish mock the concept of admitting their sin. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, the guilt offering was accompanied by confession. Being upright does not mean being without sin, but rather they have God's favor because they admit their sin, confess it, and receive absolution. Then the wise are enabled by the Gospel to begin to live according to God's Word (for further study, read Psalm 32:1-5; James 5:15; 1 John 1:8-2:6).
v.10 This proverb focuses on one’s inner being. The deepest emotions cannot be completely shared with others. This is a warning against shallow attempts at empathy.