Stop or leave

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

STOP OR LEAVE

Prov 22:10                                                                             

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

NIV

It seems we have a slight bit of confusion regarding this mocker and what to do with him. Although several of our scholars of old would compare this to the time Ishmael mocked the great festival Abraham gave because of the weaning of Isaac. Sarah demanded that Hagar and her son should be cast out of their society. That would then put an end to the strife, quarrels and insults. However we know this did not happen. Many who may well be descendants of Ishmael still to this day cause discord in the Middle East and especially against the descendants of Isaac. This Hebrew word used in the mocking of Ishmael meant to laugh out loud, to make sport. The word used here in this proverb is entirely a different Hebrew word which means to make mouth at. This can be applied in the sense of a believer simply giving God lip service. It also can be applied in the sense of speaking arrogantly. In both cases, with Ishmael and with this mocker in the proverb the result is the same. They are to be cast out of our society, in the case of the believers of today that would be the church. But why?  What does the mocker, the scoffer do that causes strife, quarrels and insults? Certainly it is within the spiritual realm for the deceiver, the devil to send a mocker, a person who only gives God lip service into the midst of a believing church. This then is not a true follower of Jesus, a born again, spirit-filled believer. They function only to question every aspect of faith. They bring doubt regarding faith, healing, God’s divine plan, his working in our lives, his provisions, even in trusting God completely. They bring questions which cause people to stumble in their faith. They question everything. This brings strife. This brings discussions which develop into quarrels. In fact they are not insulting us, but rather God. They insult his power, his ability to provide all we need. They want to deploy the idea of trusting in our own ability. They misuse the scriptures endeavoring to prove we must partnership with God in some way. The true believer functions in the complete opposite. We build each other up until we reach the unity in the faith.

1 Thess 5:11

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

NIV

This is also why we, the Body of Christ have been given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. So we will become united in our faith, not divided as the mocker would do.

Eph 4:11-13

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

NIV

But with the mocker, the idea is we need to rout them out. Cast them from among us. That sounds so harsh. We are also admonished to bring the misinformed, the sinner to the truth.

Gal 6:1-2

6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

NIV

But this is a brother in Christ, a believer who is involved in sin, who is being led astray, this is not the mocker, the scoffer. So then we have to live in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to discern to our spirit the mocker, the scoffer, the trouble maker in the body of believers and deal with them in the way we are told. We need to face them, in love of course, and give them the truth of their ways. This is especially true for the stronger believers for there may be those who are spiritually weaker in the church and are more subject to the destructive talk of the mocker. It may well be the task of the elders or even the pastor. But the truth is, the mocker either stops, or leaves the assembly.