The Fool hath said in his heart

Proverbs 1:22-31

Notice the terms used in this rebuke, "simple," "scorners," and "fools." The context reveals not only do they need repentance, but they have "hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord" (v.29). These terms are not meant to speak of persons with limited ability, nor lack of opportunity to know. These terms refer to persons who have chosen not to know. As I heard one say, "The Lord made me "ignernt" and I’m going to be "ignernter" still."

Simple - naive; ingenuous; lacking experience, judgment, or information. Indifferent through thoughtlessness and inconsiderateness, thereby open to sin. My mother would call this "not paying attention to." These are people who are simplistic, paying attention to nothing of importance.

Scorners - unqualified contempt, viewing others as objects of derision (ridicule and mockery). Mockers, who hold all things in derision, both human and Devine.

Fools - hardened hearts who walk after the sight of their own eyes, and imagination of their own hearts. Haters of knowledge because of the restraint it puts on them. As the Scripture says, "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God" (Ps. 14:1) and "Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the Lord, and depart from evil" (Prov. 3:7).

Wisdom is personified in this text. It is the language of poetic inspiration. So it is "wisdom" that is crying out for repentance in verse 23, "turn ye at my reproof." It is by such wisdom that we will gain knowledge and understanding. But gaining wisdom requires repentance. One must turn from naive indifference, and learn from God and His Word. Turn from contempt and mockery concerning people of faith, and God and His Word, and learn from Him. One must turn from trying to get everything to go the way you see it, or imagine it ought to be, and learn the truth of how things truly are and see what can happen when life is lived God’s way.

I fear these terms define the common attitude toward God and His Word in our day. I am hearing people who have never read God’s word, nor tried to know Him, boldly criticizing the Bible and denying the existence of God. Yes, the Bible declares "that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful" (Rom. 1:19-22). This is willful ignorance. It is scorn and mockery about things they have chosen to know nothing about. It is ignorance making mockery of knowledge. It is the fool declaring there is no God.

Notice the descriptive words in this text; "refuses", "regards not" (turns away his eyes, closes his ears), "sets at nought", "will not have", "hates", "does not choose", all of which describes deliberately rejecting the counsel of God. Perhaps the most frightening part of this entire text is verses 26-28. God will finally give up and accept your choices as your "final answer."