Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor. A man may be a fool in two ways: by knowing too little, or too much. I. THE FOOL.. Every wicked man is a fool. See this by comparing their properties. 1. It is a fool's property to have no foresight of future things. 2. To affect things hurtful to himself. 3. To prefer trifles and toys before matters of worth and weight. The fool will not give his bauble for the king's exchequer. Illustrate by the prodigal son. 4. To run on his course with precipitation. As these fools are many, so they are of many kinds. There is the sad fool and the glad fool, the haughty fool and the naughty fool. II. THE SPORT OF THE FOOL. The fathers call "making a mock at sin," the lowest degree of sin, and the very threshold of hell. Consider the object of the fool's sport — sin. 1. Sin, which is contrary to goodness, and though to man's corrupt nature pleasing, yet even abhorred of those sparks and cinders which the rust of sin hath not quite eaten out of our nature as the creation left it. It is a contra-natural thing to "make a mock at sin." 2. Sin, which sensibly brings on present judgments. 3. Sin, which, if it bring not present judgments, is the more fearful. The less punishment wickedness receives here, the more is behind. 4. Sin, that shall at last be laid heavy on the conscience. 5. Sin, which provokes God to anger. 6. Sin, which God so loathed that He could not serve His own elect because of it, but by killing His own Son. 7. Sin, that shall be punished by death — the second death. But I cease urging this terror, and would rather persuade you by the love of God. (T. Adams.) Parallel Verses KJV: Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.WEB: Fools mock at making atonement for sins, but among the upright there is good will. |
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