While most Proverbs focus on characters, this one focuses on attitudes. It offers two different wise sayings that still have a common theme – things none of us should do!
“Whoever mocks the poor” is to speak derisively of those less fortunate. That is wrong on so many levels – but this wise saying points out, when we act this way, we “show contempt for their Maker.”
To disrespect the poor is to disrespect God! Never a good way to go!
To “gloat over a disaster” in someone else’s life is also not cool! This verse notes that such an attitude will also cost us – we’ll “not go unpunished.”
So two questions:
First, who is going to do the punishing in the second clause? The same One who is the Maker in the first clause – God doesn’t like it when we think or act this way!
Second, in an honest moment, who would say they’ve never done any of this? Not me!
So to keep from suffering any of these consequences in our own lives, we must simply be honest about our inappropriate attitudes and actions – face them, deal with them and then…let it go!