The Scoffer

If the Simple is the beginning stage of the Fool, The Scoffer is the Fool in advanced form. The Simple is precancerous; the Scoffer is Stage 4. Who is the Scoffer? Appearing 17 times in the Book of Proverbs, the Scoffer is an “arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.” They have an air of superiority, are insultingly contemptuous, and display rude boldness in speech and conduct. Some translations use Mocker rather than Scoffer, as this person jeers and mocks at others, ideas, and often reality itself. What’s worse, they are stubbornly inflexible in their beliefs and assertions and unwilling to be challenged.

The Scoffer is dangerous to themselves and others. Scoffers set the city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath (Proverbs 29:8). Only true wisdom can squelch the scoffer’s destruction. As Jesus is dying on the Cross, Luke records, “The people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!’ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’” The scoffer’s only hope is to realize the very one they are railing against is the one dying to save them. “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!”