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Today we look at a proverb that pertains to the secret providence of God. In the Bible, a fool is a spiritual picture of an unsaved individual. The unsaved will be judged and found guilty according to God's divine purpose, but on what basis His righteous and good judgement foreordained the wicked to destruction is a mystery to mankind. We do know however that it was predetermined by election:
"The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil." (Proverbs 16:4).
The word for scorners in Proverbs 19:29 comes from the original Hebrew word transliterated "luwts" and according to Strong's Concordance means: to scorn, make mouths at, talk arrogantly; to boast, to scorn; to mock, deride; to interpret; interpreter; to be inflated, scoff, act as a scorner, show oneself a mocker. It is the same word used in Psalm 1:1 where it likewise used as a description of the wicked. There we are taught not to sit in the seat of scoffers or as a parallel verse, Jeremiah 15:17 would proclaim: "not sit in the circle of merrymakers"; so we see that the meaning of Proverbs 19:29 is that unbelievers are destined for judgement, therefore as we read in Psalm 1 and Jeremiah 15, let us not embrace them but rather primarily first do good especially to those who are of the household of the faith:
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." (Psalm 1:1)
"I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers, Nor did I exult. Because of Your hand upon me I sat alone, For You filled me with indignation." (Jeremiah 15:17) nas.
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9,10).
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