Proverbs 1:22
“How long, O naive ones, will you love being simple- minded?
And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing
And fools hate knowledge?
This proverbs is a foundational proverb. It introduces three types of individuals being addressed in proverbs: Naive ones; scoffers, and fools. Some may interpret the three as simply three names for the same individual. In one case they are correct. These are three people who have, or are rejecting the truth of God's Word. However, as we read through Proverbs we see that each of these are spoken of as having a different response to God's Word. In this proverb, alone, we see that the naive one seems to be in love with simple-mindedness. The scoffer doesn't just reject truth he/she attacks truth with sarcasm and ridicule. The fool, in this proverb, has a genuine "hatred" for the knowledge God provides. Throughout Proverbs the naive one seems to be capable of repentance and turning toward God's Word. However, Proverbs doesn't give much hope at all for the scoffer or the fool. It is important that we offer grace and knowledge of God's Word while people are in the naive state. Once they leave that disposition they move into foolishness and scoffing ... seldom seeing repentance. Each of the three are being asked, in essence, a question in regard to their attitude toward God's Word. As opposed to God's Word, the simple-one loves being carefree and unknowing. How long will you "love" that type of life, Solomon asks. The scoffer "delights" in scoffing. This is the same word used in Genesis to talk about how "pleasant" God's creation is. Scoffers don't just ridicule wisdom found in God's Word, they make a sport of it and it is "pleasant" to them. Lastly, Solomon calls out the fool. Psalms tells us that those who deny God even exists is a "fool." The fool is called out because they "hate" the knowledge found in God's Word. Each of these three have a different response to God's Word, which could supply them with wisdom to get them out of their state of mind. Yet, they don't. The book of proverbs was written to help them. The answer to their mindset is God's Word.
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