◄ Proverbs 29:8 ►
Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.
Study Bible
Mockers
The Hebrew word for "mockers" is "לֵצִים" (letsim), which refers to those who scorn, deride, or ridicule others. In the biblical context, mockers are often seen as individuals who reject wisdom and instruction, choosing instead to sow discord and division. Historically, mockers have been viewed as a threat to societal harmony, as their actions can lead to unrest and conflict. In a spiritual sense, mockers are those who resist God's truth and promote chaos, standing in stark contrast to the righteous who seek peace and understanding.

Inflame a city
The phrase "inflame a city" suggests the idea of stirring up strife and causing turmoil within a community. The Hebrew root "פָּחַר" (pachar) conveys the notion of kindling a fire, symbolizing how words and actions can ignite conflict. In ancient times, cities were centers of commerce, governance, and social interaction, making them vulnerable to the destructive influence of mockers. This imagery serves as a warning about the power of negative speech and behavior to disrupt societal order and peace.

But the wise
The term "wise" is derived from the Hebrew word "חֲכָמִים" (chakamim), which denotes those who possess not only knowledge but also the discernment to apply it rightly. Wisdom in the biblical sense is deeply connected to the fear of the Lord and adherence to His commandments. The wise are characterized by their ability to navigate complex situations with prudence and understanding, often serving as peacemakers and stabilizers within their communities.

Turn away anger
The phrase "turn away anger" reflects the Hebrew concept of "שׁוּב" (shuv), meaning to return or turn back. This suggests an active effort to redirect or diffuse anger, preventing it from escalating into violence or further discord. In the biblical narrative, turning away anger is a hallmark of godly wisdom, as it demonstrates self-control and a commitment to reconciliation. The wise, through their actions and words, seek to restore harmony and promote peace, embodying the principles of love and forgiveness that are central to Christian teaching.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mockers
Individuals who scorn or ridicule others, often causing discord and unrest within a community. In the Hebrew text, the word used is (letsim), which refers to those who are arrogant and dismissive of wisdom and instruction.

2. Wise
Those who possess and apply godly wisdom, promoting peace and understanding. The Hebrew word (chakamim) is used, indicating individuals who are prudent and discerning.

3. City
Represents a community or society at large. The actions of individuals, whether mockers or wise, have a significant impact on the collective well-being of the community.

4. Anger
A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. The wise are depicted as having the ability to "turn away" or "calm" anger, suggesting a proactive role in conflict resolution.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Words have the power to either inflame or calm a situation. As Christians, we are called to use our words wisely to build up rather than tear down.

The Role of Wisdom in Conflict
Wisdom is not just knowledge but the application of godly principles in everyday life. In conflicts, wisdom seeks to understand and resolve rather than escalate.

Promoting Peace in the Community
As believers, we are called to be peacemakers in our communities. This involves actively seeking to diffuse tensions and promote harmony.

Guarding Against Mockery
Mockery is a tool of the enemy to sow discord. We must guard our hearts and minds against becoming mockers ourselves and instead strive to be voices of reason and peace.

Reflecting Christ in Our Interactions
Our interactions should reflect the character of Christ, who is the ultimate example of wisdom and peace. In every situation, we should ask ourselves how Jesus would respond.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we identify the "mockers" in our own lives or communities, and what steps can we take to mitigate their influence?

2. In what ways can we cultivate wisdom in our daily interactions to help turn away anger and promote peace?

3. Reflect on a time when your words either inflamed or calmed a situation. What did you learn from that experience?

4. How does the teaching of Jesus in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:9) about peacemakers relate to the role of the wise in Proverbs 29:8?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our speech aligns with the teachings of James 3:5-6, and how can this impact our communities positively?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 3:5-6
This passage discusses the power of the tongue, similar to how mockers can inflame a city with their words. It emphasizes the need for control over one's speech to prevent destruction.

Proverbs 15:1
This verse highlights the power of a gentle answer to turn away wrath, paralleling the role of the wise in calming anger.

Matthew 5:9
Jesus' teaching on peacemakers being blessed connects to the role of the wise in promoting peace and turning away anger.
Sermons
The Snares of the MetropolisR. Ainslie.Proverbs 29:8
The Senselessness of Scorn, EtcW. Clarkson Proverbs 29:8-10
Dishonourable PassionsE. Johnson Proverbs 29:8-11
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acts, Aflame, Anger, Blaze, Bring, Cause, Ensnare, Flame, Mockers, Pride, Scoffers, Scorners, Scornful, Scorning, Snare, Stir, Town, Turn, Violent, Wise, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 29:8

     8782   mockery
     8816   ridicule, nature of

Library
An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

Two Ancient Proverbs
A Sermon (No. 3080) Published on Thursday, February 20th, 1908. Delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Lord's Day evening, March 29th, 1874. "The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso puteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." --Proverbs 29:25. We have two ancient proverbs here; each of them is true as a separate proverb, and they are equally true when linked together. The independent proposition, that the fear of man bringeth a snare, is a truth which experience …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Baptismal Covenant Can be Kept Unbroken. Aim and Responsibility of Parents.
We have gone "to the Law and to the Testimony" to find out what the nature and benefits of Baptism are. We have gathered out of the Word all the principal passages bearing on this subject. We have grouped them together, and studied them side by side. We have noticed that their sense is uniform, clear, and strong. Unless we are willing to throw aside all sound principles of interpretation, we can extract from the words of inspiration only one meaning, and that is that the baptized child is, by virtue …
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

But Sometimes a Peril to Eternal Salvation Itself is Put Forth against Us...
40. But sometimes a peril to eternal salvation itself is put forth against us; [2466] which peril, they cry out, we by telling a lie, if otherwise it cannot be, must ward off. As, for instance, if a person who is to be baptized be in the power of impious and infidel men, and cannot be got at that he may be washed with the laver of regeneration, but by deceiving his keepers with a lie. From this most invidious cry, by which we are compelled, not for a man's wealth or honors in this world which are …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Little Sarah Howley.
MISS SARAH HOWLEY, when she was between eight and nine years old, was carried by her friends to hear a sermon, where the minister preached upon Matt. xi, 30, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light;" in the applying of which scripture the child was mightily awakened, and made deeply sensible of the condition of her soul, and her need of Christ: she wept bitterly to think what a case she was in; went home, retired into a chamber, and upon her knees she wept and cried to the Lord as well as she could, …
John Wesley—Stories of Boys and Girls Who Loved the Saviour

For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten Commands of The...
36. For, concerning false witness, which is set down in the ten commands of the Law, it can indeed in no wise be contended that love of truth may at heart be preserved, and false witness brought forth to him unto whom the witness is borne. For, when it is said to God only, then it is only in the heart that the truth is to be embraced: but when it is said to man, then must we with the mouth also of the body bring forth truth, because man is not an inspector of the heart. But then, touching the witness …
St. Augustine—On Lying

Palm Sunday
Text: Philippians 2, 5-11. 5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name; 10 that …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

It Remains Then that we Understand as Concerning those Women...
33. It remains then that we understand as concerning those women, whether in Egypt or in Jericho, that for their humanity and mercy they received a reward, in any wise temporal, which indeed itself, while they wist not of it, should by prophetical signification prefigure somewhat eternal. But whether it be ever right, even for the saving of a man's life, to tell a lie, as it is a question in resolving which even the most learned do weary themselves, it did vastly surpass the capacity of those poor …
St. Augustine—Against Lying

What are Evidences of Backsliding in Heart.
1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him, perhaps, but in such a …
Charles G. Finney—The Backslider in Heart

God's Glory the Chief End of Man's Being
Rom. xi. 36.--"Of him and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory for ever." And 1 Cor. x. 31--"Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." All that men have to know, may be comprised under these two heads,--What their end is, and What is the right way to attain to that end? And all that we have to do, is by any means to seek to compass that end. These are the two cardinal points of a man's knowledge and exercise. Quo et qua eundum est,--Whither to go, and what way to go. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Humility is the Root of Charity, and Meekness the Fruit of Both. ...
Humility is the root of charity, and meekness the fruit of both. There is no solid and pure ground of love to others, except the rubbish of self-love be first cast out of the soul; and when that superfluity of naughtiness is cast out, then charity hath a solid and deep foundation: "The end of the command is charity out of a pure heart," 1 Tim. i. 5. It is only such a purified heart, cleansed from that poison and contagion of pride and self-estimation, that can send out such a sweet and wholesome …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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