Proverbs 14:9 Commentary and Bible Study

Many proverbs are like an equation with terms missing from one side or the other which must be supplied to make it balance. The word ‘sin’ is the Hebrew for ‘sin offering’, and the words ‘mock at’ mean ‘deride’ or ‘scorn’. The sin offering is mocked because it is regarded as unnecessary, useless, and a waste of time. This response is intended to pour derision on all those who take the offering seriously, regarding them as preoccupied with worthless things. Of course this attitude arises because sin itself is seen as a very small thing and of no real consequence. It is therefore legitimate to translate the Hebrew as ‘sin’, for this is the real thing which the fool mocks at. He mocks at it not in the sense that he regards it as something which sings its own praises too highly and falsely boasts of the pleasures it gives (which would be a legitimate thought), but in the sense that he makes light of it since it is not a serious matter and need not be avoided or feared. He is ready to indulge in sin and think nothing of it. The attitude of the righteous is the exact opposite. He finds favour and it goes without saying that this is favour from the only one whose favour counts – the Lord. To this side of the comparison must be added what is not actually stated: he finds favour with God by having the opposite attitude to that of the fool; he treats sin with the utmost gravity and regards it with abhorrence, knowing that he indulges in sin at the expense of his eternal soul. Because he prizes the favour of God above all, he shuns evil, for he knows that God remains resolutely opposed to it. Likewise we must read into the first half of the proverb the opposite of what is said in the second half: that the fool has no favour with God but instead faces eternal condemnation. The comparison is then balanced.Fools adopt this attitude towards sin because it is the only way they can live comfortably with it. Don’t therefore expect to learn from a fool about the seriousness of sin, or to receive any faithful warning about it to your soul; he will tell you the opposite of what you need to know. But it is a fearful thing that he makes light of it, for it will ruin his character, rob him of joy and happiness, result in death, and draw down all the fury of Almighty God upon him. But is it safe to treat sin like a pet instead of like a wild animal? Can you treat sin like a little fire to warm the hands and not like a burning furnace that will consume all? What inappropriate mocking! Mock rather at what has no power to hurt you and not at what is set to destroy you. Are you in a hurry to be destroyed?