Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord —
how much more do human hearts!
12 Mockers resent correction,
so they avoid the wise.
13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,
but heartache crushes the spirit.
14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great wealth with turmoil.
17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
than a fattened calf with hatred.
18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
19 The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.
20 A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
Mocker
It is not against the character of God to have a good laugh, look at the aardvark and the duckbill platypus. They are funny-looking creatures. The humour within the book of Proverbs can come across as mocking at times. However, the mocker is in a different category. I think that our word ‘cynic’ might be close. It could be someone who looks at healthy efforts to improve things and derides the one who is trying. Especially without contributing a helpful solution; Or it could be someone who regularly puts down their spouse, without really seeing that it is their own ego that needs help; Someone, especially, who mocks the fervour and passion of those who are seeking God is a mocker. With both the sluggard and the mocker passivity wins through. They are non-contributing fools who thinks that they are entitled to the fruit of others’ labour. Beyond just being lazy, the mocker scoffs about wise people’s choices to think and work. The mocker deserves nothing but contempt, but we emulate them. We invite them to parties to liven things up. We put them in sports teams and on television. They make us laugh with their mocking of others, their destructive abilities only becoming apparent when we become the subject of their jokes.
Don’t be a mocker. Don’t encourage a mocker. Love the mocker and help them to become active supporters of things that matter.
Questions
- What does a mocker resent?
- How are mockers different from those who have a good sense of humour?
- Jesus seems to mock the pharisees and teachers of the law, wasn’t he a mocker?
- Who do you know who is always mocking positive efforts by others?
- How does the political system in the USA sometimes degenerate into a forum for mockers rather than proactive thought?
Plymothian 
To repeat what I mentioned in group, I think “mocking” can be productive in certain ways. I use The Daily Show as an example. There is a program that does nothing but “mock” the news, but in the process, it gives news and points out where others are failing.
I think you are right, that is has to do with the spirit and place your “mocking” is coming from. What are your intentions when you are bringing up an issue that could be considered “mocking?” Is it to make a positive impact, or to simply belittle or anger somebody?
1. Mockers resent correction, instruction, goodwill and teaching which lead to wisdom and humility.
2. to mock is “to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision (dictionary.com).” Some people find mocking to be humorous, until they are the subject of the ridicule. Those who mock have an ill-willed purpose for their words and actions towards a particular subject. There is no such thing as “friendly mockery”. So, what is the difference between mocking and humor? As always, it comes down to the matter of the heart. The distinction between the two relies on the intentions of the person speaking and acting.
3. Jesus uses a particular diction and good rhetorical devices to guide and persuade both the Pharisees and those standing by to the truth. Jesus is not a mocker– look at his intent! Jesus intends to teach, not resent and dispel teaching. Not to mention, he loves the Pharisees.
4. There is this one man I met on the el . . .
5. When regarding politics, many people do not think. They do not look up the facts. They do no challenge themselves to to see without their bias. They cling onto mockers’ words as truth, then they begin to mock other political views that collide with their new found “truth”. Politics becomes a mocking war. Whoever is left standing will be able to vote and get their politician of choice into office. With mockers electing politicians, it is a sure thing that politicians will be dishing out to the public what they need to “feel good right now”, rather than implementing correction and instruction which would strengthen the U.S.A. After all, what mocker would want that? All they want is a president with a pretty face.