Topical Bible: The Heathen: Scoffing at Saints

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In the biblical narrative, the term "heathen" often refers to those who are outside the covenant community of Israel and, by extension, those who do not acknowledge the God of the Bible. Throughout Scripture, there are numerous instances where the heathen are depicted as scoffing at the saints, the faithful followers of God. This scoffing is not merely an expression of disbelief but often carries a tone of derision and contempt for the ways and beliefs of the righteous.

Old Testament Context

The Psalms frequently address the theme of the heathen mocking the people of God. In Psalm 2:1-2 , the psalmist asks, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One." This passage highlights the futility of the heathen's opposition to God's sovereign plan and His chosen people.

Similarly, in Psalm 79:4 , the psalmist laments, "We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us." Here, the psalmist expresses the pain of being mocked by surrounding nations, a common experience for Israel when they faced defeat or calamity. The derision of the heathen is portrayed as a test of faith for the saints, challenging them to remain steadfast in their trust in God.

Prophetic Literature

The prophets also speak to the issue of scoffing. In Isaiah 37:23 , the prophet Isaiah records the words of the LORD against the Assyrian king Sennacherib: "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!" This rhetorical question underscores the seriousness of mocking God's people, equating it with blasphemy against God Himself.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the theme of scoffing continues, particularly in the context of the early Christian church. The apostle Peter addresses this in 2 Peter 3:3-4 , warning believers: "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." This passage highlights the skepticism and ridicule faced by Christians who hold to the hope of Christ's return.

The apostle Paul also encountered scoffing during his ministry. In Acts 17:32 , after Paul speaks of the resurrection of the dead, it is recorded, "When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to scoff, but others said, 'We want to hear you again on this topic.'" This reaction illustrates the mixed responses to the gospel message, with scoffing being a common reaction among those who reject the truth.

Theological Implications

The scoffing of the heathen serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the forces of unbelief. It is a manifestation of the world's hostility towards God's truth and His people. For the saints, enduring such mockery is part of the call to bear witness to the faith, trusting in God's ultimate vindication and justice. As Jesus taught in Matthew 5:11-12 , "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." This teaching encourages believers to remain faithful amidst scoffing, looking forward to the eternal reward promised by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 79:10
Why should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of your servants which is shed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
... Section 18. Heathen defence continued. ... Section 33. Unbelief of Jews and scoffing
of Greeks. ... 11. Examples of Scripture Saints in defence of flight. 12. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

Chapter xviii
... with Abraham is seen to have striking parallels in heathen mythology, we ... It bore
no trace of scoffing. ... the intimacy of the relation between God and His saints. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xviii.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead
... it is a worse fool even than a heathen, for he ... way of confirming the doctrine that
the saints' bodies shall ... scoff and jeer; there will be no scoffing or jeering ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the resurrection of the dead.htm

The Fight for the Gospel; Or, Moravians and Rationalists, 1775 ...
... For some years that scoffing writer, Voltaire, had been ... of the faith delivered once
for all unto the saints. ... of the Brethren's Work Among the Heathen"; and, in ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii the fight for.htm

The Morning of Good Friday.
... Greek Church has actually placed her in the Catalogue of Saints. ... in his words the
same mixture of scoffing and misgiving ... of His claims, such as a heathen, and a ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv the morning of.htm

The Potter and the Clay
... it constrained one of the greatest saints and apostles ... or have reference only to
the heathen world: but ... are the precious truths, which a scoffing world would ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the potter and the clay.htm

Christianity Misunderstood by Believers.
... the Jewish and heathen, and the heathen and Jewish ... place them there before the images
of the saints. ... from opposing it, even encouraged this scoffing at sacred ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter iii christianity misunderstood by.htm

The Sower.
... The saints already in rest, and disciples in the ... lips by the pitiless persecution
of heathen governments: in ... room, or the rude jest of scoffing artisans in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/i the sower.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... by a more audacious spirit of scoffing and profanation ... shall come to be glorified
in his saints, and to ... The heathen had raged, and the people imagined a vain ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Hebrews xi. 37, 38
... when I reflect upon the achievements of the saints, it comes ... Mark 6:3; John 6:42.)
Also scoffing at Him ... For tell me; if any heathen and unbeliever, after he ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxviii hebrews xi 37.htm