Mocking God

For Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Proverbs 14:9

Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.

Fools never apologize for their foolishness; even when they make an attempt (which they do only from pressure), they always add "but" - but I did not intend to harm anyone; but I am trying to do my best; but I am misunderstood. Fools see admission of sin and mistakes as a sign of weakness. They want to be strong, or at least perceived as strong and confident. Losers worry about the impact of their actions. Weak people worry about offending others or making wrong decisions.

Again, fools just don't get it. The strong are strong, not because they will not admit their failures, but because they are willing to bear responsibility for their mistakes. The strong man will say, "I blew it." But then he moves on, having learned from his failings. This is the mark of the upright. They accept responsibility and so enjoy acceptance of other people who respect their forthrightness.

But the tragedy for the fool is not that he doesn't win acceptance of his fellow man, but that he places himself under the wrath of God. It is God who calls for the guilt offering; it is God who must be appeased; it is God the fool is mocking, and God will not be mocked.

Know that we do not have to bring guilt offerings for our sins; we do not have to do penance to win our way back to God's favor. But we must pay God honor by turning to the Guilt Offering he has provided for us, our Lord Jesus Christ.