Proverbs 14 - The Park Forum

Links for today’s readings:

Feb 23 Read: Proverbs 14 Listen: (3:45) Read: Mark 4 Listen: (5:01)

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 14.6-9

6 The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,

but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

7 Stay away from a fool,

for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,

but the folly of fools is deception.

9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,

but goodwill is found among the upright.

Reflection: A Culture of Mockers

By John Tillman

The writers of Proverbs would have loved first generation Twitter.

In 2006 Twitter used SMS texts which had a 160 character limit. Twitter reserved twenty characters for usernames, leaving 140 for messages. (The previous sentence is 139 characters.)

The technological limit sparked a cultural moment for brevity. On blogs, news sites, and rival social media platforms, people posted thousands of words per day. “Tweets” were a tight 140 characters and were with you everywhere you could get a text, not just on a computer. Necessity made brevity the soul of the platform and a differentiating feature in the early days of social media.

That appreciation of brevity was brief. The old limits have stretched to 280 characters. The current site, X, sees longer posts as a value-add. They charge users a monthly fee for the privilege of being a “verified” premium user who can post up to 25,000 characters. (Our devotionals are 400 words and average 2200-2500 characters.)

But length does not automatically equal value when it comes to wisdom. Each phrase in Proverbs packs a punch. Proverbs is one of the most quotable (or “tweetable”) books of the Bible. The punchy phrases and well balanced opposites are intended to be memorable and meaningful.

The writers of Proverbs would find plenty of the people they called “mockers” on modern social media. I’m sure you have found them too.

“Mockers” in the Bible refuse instruction, scoff at knowledge, and hate correction. (Psalm 1.1; Proverbs 15.12) They reject wisdom and enjoy insolence and provoking anger. (Proverbs 21.24) If you call them ignorant, expecting to humble them, they’ll be proud. Mockers are those for whom cruelty is funny. They call empathy weakness. They call love being a sucker.

Our culture is rife with mockers, and social media algorithms love them. Mockers get highlighted and pushed to new viewers. Mockers are given power and influence. Mockers are praised, hired, applauded, and even elected. In our culture, it is easy to become a mocker. Proverbs helps us see a better way.

Instead of mocking, be discerning. Knowledge comes effortlessly to the discerning. Mockers search but never find wisdom.

Instead of rash falsehoods, be prudent. The prudent think ahead, taking care with words and actions. Mockers rush to tell lies, even foolish ones.

Instead of prideful unrepentance that scoffs at confession or recompense, admit wrongdoing and self-correct by making right what was wrong.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Let those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation say forever, “Great is the Lord!” — Psalm 70.4

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Hardest Words to Say: “I’m Sorry”

Is it easier to smooth things over with certain people? What prevents you from restoring peace?

Hardest Words to Say: “I’m Sorry”

Scripture Focus: Psalm 78.36-37
36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,
lying to him with their tongues;
37 their hearts were not loyal to him,
they were not faithful to his covenant.

Proverbs 14.9
9 Fools mock at making amends for sin,
but goodwill is found among the upright.

Reflection: Hardest Words to Say: “I’m Sorry”
By Erin Newton

Social relationships are fragile. Whether platonic friendships or intimate relationships, some experiences are damaging, maybe even severely. Our cultural climate provokes the struggle to keep peace with friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers.

Often damage to relationships is inflicted by gossip, envy, lies, selfish pursuits, disrespect, infidelity due to boredom or temptation, lack of appreciation, or narcissism. These relational blunders have plagued humanity since the beginning.

Psalm 78 describes the forgetfulness of God’s people in the wilderness. Although God had worked miracles in parting the sea and providing manna, the people failed to remember. Even more, the psalmist says “they did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by his law.” (v10)

For the wandering group, the law was summarized in the 10 Commandments given to Moses at the start of their journey. The first half relates to the people’s fidelity to God. The second half relates to their relationships with one another. Fidelity in intimate partnerships. Honor to elders. Respect for another’s possessions. Justice in withholding violent wrath. These statements were concise enough to remember.

Yet, the people forgot. They grumbled against Moses. They demanded God give them what their bellies craved. They followed in the ways of foreign religions which included idolatry and sexual immorality. They followed the way of Lady Folly by flattering God with empty words and the façade of religious ritual. (Prov 7)

The psalmist echoes the painful reality of God’s wrath poured out on the rebellious people. But they were fools. They refused to see their error. Their relationship was not important enough to make amends.

In which relationships do you feel the need, compulsion, desire to make amends when damage is done? Is it easier to smooth things over with certain people? What prevents you from restoring peace? The relationship between you and God is likely the one that suffers the greatest amount of frequent damage. We rely heavily upon his mercy and grace. We use the character of God as permission to be apathetic to making things right with God or one another.

Reconciliation is hard. Proverbs warns that the fool mocks the attempts to make things right. Fools see no value in integrity. Pride is a hallmark characteristic of the fool. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Cor 7.10) Seek the godly type of sorrow.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Your way, O God, is holy; who is as great as our God? — Psalm 77.13

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.

Today’s Readings
Proverbs 14 (Listen – 3:45)
Psalm 78:1-37 (Listen – 7:12)

Read more about Sojourn of Grace
Psalm 78 is a poetic filter through which to view Moses’ detailed record of the Israelites’ travels in the wilderness.

Sojourn of Grace

Read more about Liquid Wrath and Liquid Forgiveness
The forgiveness of our sins is accomplished by the sacrifice of Christ’s blood. A liquid sacrifice, flowing from love.

Liquid Wrath and Liquid Forgiveness :: Readers’ Choice

Tag: Proverbs 14

A Culture of Mockers