Reviling and reproaching are actions characterized by harsh and contemptuous language directed towards others. In the context of the Bible, these actions are often associated with the wicked, who utter such words against God Himself. This behavior is condemned throughout Scripture, as it reflects a heart hardened against divine authority and truth.

Biblical Instances and Descriptions

1. Psalm 74:18 · "Remember how the enemy has mocked You, O LORD, how a foolish people has spurned Your name." This verse highlights the audacity of the wicked in mocking God, demonstrating a profound disrespect for His holy name. The psalmist calls upon God to remember these acts of defiance, indicating that such reviling does not go unnoticed by the Almighty.

2. Isaiah 37:23 · "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!" Here, the prophet Isaiah confronts the arrogance of those who dare to blaspheme God. The rhetorical questions emphasize the gravity of their actions, as they have not merely insulted a human authority but the Holy One of Israel Himself.

3. Ezekiel 35:12-13 · "Then you will know that I, the LORD, have heard every contemptuous word you uttered against the mountains of Israel when you said, ‘They are desolate; they are given to us to devour.’ You boasted against Me with your mouth and multiplied your words against Me. I heard it Myself!" In this passage, God declares that He is fully aware of the contemptuous words spoken against Him and His people. The wicked's boastful speech is a direct affront to God's sovereignty and His covenant with Israel.

4. Malachi 3:13-14 · "Your words against Me have been harsh, says the LORD. Yet you ask, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements and walking mournfully before the LORD of Hosts?’" The prophet Malachi records the cynical attitude of those who question the value of serving God. Their harsh words reveal a deep-seated unbelief and a lack of reverence for God's righteous commands.

Theological Implications

Reviling and reproaching God are not merely acts of verbal disrespect; they are indicative of a deeper spiritual rebellion. Such behavior reflects a rejection of God's authority and a refusal to acknowledge His rightful place as Creator and Sustainer. The wicked, in their arrogance, fail to recognize the consequences of their actions, both in this life and in the judgment to come.

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of reviling God, urging believers to maintain a posture of reverence and humility. The wicked's reproach serves as a stark contrast to the attitude expected of those who fear the Lord. Through these scriptural accounts, believers are reminded of the importance of honoring God with their words and actions, recognizing His holiness and sovereignty in all things.Psalm 74:22
Arise, O God, plead your own cause: remember how the foolish man reproaches you daily.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 79:12
And render to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, with which they have reproached you, O Lord.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Paralytic Let Down through the Roof.
... one of them checked him who was reviling the Lord. ... demonstrated this: for when he
was reproaching the Corinthians ... How then do the envious and wicked act, and ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily on the paralytic let.htm

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