“The proud and arrogant man- ‘Mocker’ is his name;

     he behaves with overweening pride.”

 

In this proverb, we were introduced to yet another member of Folly’s house:  The Mocker.  Mockers stand just off the path to Wisdom’s house, scoffing and casting stones of derision upon those who walk it.  They offer nothing of themselves and only find purpose in assaulting the pilgrims.

 

When I asked my family about it, my wife pointed us to the story of Elisha, 2 Kings 2:23-24.  Elisha was such a pilgrim on the road to Bethel and some kids jeered at him saying, “Get out of here, baldy!”  To which Elisha cursed them and 2 female bears came out and mauled 42 of them.

 

‘Proud and arrogant’ are two signifiers of the mocker, for he places himself above others.  ‘Overweening pride’ helps us to see how high he positions himself.  This was a big clue for us to see how Jesus fulfilled this Proverb that we may become new creations.  Again, we looked at its reflection and saw His example in John 13:3-17.  Jesus placed Himself below His disciples and took the role of a servant, Philippians 2:7, and washed their feet.

 

When we continued to peer into Jesus’ life and example, we saw that it was the ‘Mocker’ who was on the cross next to Him, Luke 23:39.  Of all the members of Folly’s House, the Mocker remained the closest to Jesus, till the very end. Yet not even his words could stop Jesus from saving us.  For though Elisha’s curse brought bears to maul the mockers, Jesus’ death and resurrection defeated sin’s curse and brought eternal life to all who believe in Him, John 3:16.