"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE SCOFFER, THE WISE AND THE WICKED"
Proverbs 21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Proverbs 21:12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, statements, and a prayer:
Proverbs has been given to us as God's book of wisdom. In it we learn how to walk through life, learning how to have wisdom, and avoid being foolish. These 31 chapters are chock full of practical teaching for us about life. Today's passages deal with three kinds of people.
The scoffer, the wise person, and the wicked person.
1. Scoffer's wind up being punished, but the simple is made wise
Scoffers are mockers. They talk arrogantly, they boast, they deride. A scoffer is an inflated person, it means to show oneself as a mocker. To deride, and to scorn.
The Bible says this type of person will be punished. They will experience punishment for being scoffers, that's just what happens to them.
And, when they are punished one benefit is that "the simple is made wise"
Sometimes it takes someone being punished for a simple man to to truly learn.
Proverbs 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.
2. But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
On the other hand, this person, the wise person can be instructed, and in his being instructed he receives knowledge.
In other words he learns from instruction.
The scoffer is punished.
The wise man is instructed.
Proverbs 3:35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.
3. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
This verse is telling us that God who is righteous know what is taking place in the homes of the wicked.
Nothing is hidden from His eyes.
And, eventually God will bring disaster upon the wicked.
Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin.
Some questions/statements:
1. Isn't it true that we make our own choices and we also reap the consequences of those choices?
2. And, isn't it true that God is calling out to us everyday to allow Him to lead and guide us in His ways?
3. What a blessing to know that we can make choices that yield blessed results and consequences in our lives.
4. Men may think they can hide their sins from God and get away with their wicked deeds, but that's not true.
5. God does not punish men immediately, and this leads man to think that he is getting away with his sins.
6. One day, God will make all things right, it will be in His time and His way.
7. A wise man once told me comforting words. "God, Time, and Truth. Rest in these my friend"
A prayer:
Father, You have given us 31 entire chapters with extreme detail of how to live our lives day by day with Your wisdom. And, by following Your ways, we can avoid so much trouble that we could otherwise bring upon ourselves. Thank You for forgiving us of our sins. And, we pray that You lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. And, help us Lord to learn Your wisdom from what we see going on around us day by day. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
