Scoffing

Treating individuals, people, ideas or values with contempt or ridicule. Scripture indicates that God's word and his people can expect to be treated with contempt by the world.

Objects of scoffing

Nations punished by God

Jeremiah 19:8 See also 1 Kings 9:6–9; Jeremiah 49:17, Jeremiah 50:13; Lamentations 2:15–17; Zephaniah 2:13–15

I will make this city a desolation and an object of scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will scoff at all her wounds.

God's messengers

2 Chronicles 36:15–16

Again and again the LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to His people through His messengers because He had compassion on them and on His dwelling place. But they mocked the messengers of God, despising His words and scoffing at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD against His people was stirred up beyond remedy.

Reasons for scoffing

Unbelief

2 Peter 3:3–4 See also Acts 13:41; Habakkuk 1:5; Jude 1:17–19

Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”

Arrogance

Habakkuk 1:10 See also Psalm 73:3–8; Isaiah 28:14–15

They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it.

Lack of wisdom

Proverbs 29:9

If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution.

God scoffs at the nations

Psalm 59:5–8 See also Psalm 2:1–6

O LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, rouse Yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to the wicked traitors. Selah They return in the evening, snarling like dogs and prowling around the city. See what they spew from their mouths— sharp words from their lips: “For who can hear us?” But You, O LORD, laugh at them; You scoff at all the nations.