Read Proverbs 15:5–12
Questions from the Scripture text: What does the fool do (Proverbs 15:5a)? What does the one keeping correction show about himself (verse 5b)? What is in the house of the righteous (Proverbs 15:6a)? What revenue do the wicked have (verse 6b)? What do the lips of the wise scatter (Proverbs 15:7a)? What do not do this (verse 7b)? What does YHWH think of the wicked’s sacrifice (Proverbs 15:8a)? What does He think of the prayer of the upright (verse 8b)? What does He think of the way of the wicked? (Proverbs 15:9a)? What does He think of Him who follows righteousness (verse 9b)? What is for him who forsakes the way (Proverbs 15:10a)? What will come of him who hates correction (verse 10b)? What are before Whom (Proverbs 15:11a)? What else is before Him (verse 11b)? Who does not love his corrector (Proverbs 15:12a)? What does he refuse to do (verse 12b)?
What does our response to correction show us? Proverbs 15:5–12 looks forward to the sermon in the midweek meeting this week. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that our response to correction can expose our relation to the Lord.
Proverbs 15:5 and Proverbs 15:12 bookend the passage, reminding us once again that one’s relationship to God is displayed in how they respond to correction. The fool, who does not fear or know God, despises his father’s instruction (Proverbs 15:5a), does not love the one correcting him (Proverbs 15:12a), and declines to go to the wise to receive that correction (verse 12b). God is the ultimate reality, and those who acknowledge Him swallow their pride in order to receive the correction that enables them to engage with things as they truly are.
Proverbs 15:6-7 bond the riches of wealth and wisdom. By naming their “house” as full of wealth, v6a implies that these riches are a resource for those who come to this house for it. This is parallel to how their lips scatter knowledge in Proverbs 15:7a. By contrast, one ought not to go to the house of the wicked for financial help, because that money comes with trouble (Proverbs 15:6b). Analogous to that, what is scattered by the heart of the fool is not knowledge and should not be trusted or heeded (Proverbs 15:7b).
Proverbs 15:8-9 pull back the curtain, so that we can see the ultimate reason behind Proverbs 15:6-7. Both types of treasure, earthly wealth and true knowledge, come from the Lord. But those wicked, who are not right with God by the blood and righteousness of Jesus, continue under His wrath and curse. Both their way (Proverbs 15:9a) and their worship (Proverbs 15:8a) are an abomination to YHWH, cutting them off from all true treasure. Those who are counted upright (verse 8b) and pursue righteousness (Proverbs 15:9b) have something much better than the secondary treasures of wealth and knowledge. Their prayers are YHWH’s delight (Proverbs 15:8b), and they themselves are the objects of His love (Proverbs 15:9b).
Proverbs 15:10-11 correspond to Proverbs 15:6-7. Here, the warning to those who might go to the wicked for treasure, but to the wicked themselves. Just as the righteous have something better than treasure, the wicked have something worse than trouble. The death in Proverbs 15:10 is much more than expiring from this world. The forsaker of the way and hater of correction receives a rebuking death (verse 10a) from Him Who observes their hearts (Proverbs 15:11b) and consigns them to Sheol and Destruction (verse 11a). YHWH Himself observe them and is justly against them.
We may not think that there is so much at stake, at first, when we are being corrected. But how we respond to it, and to those through whom the Lord brings that correction, will tell us much about where things stand between ourselves and the Lord.
Through whom, in your life, does the Lord usually bring you correction? How do you usually respond? What does this tell you about where things stand between you and the Lord?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us the correction that we need. Please give us humble hearts to receive it. Count us righteous with Yourself through Christ’s own blood and righteousness. And give us to know Your love and delight in us in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH141 “O Lord, to You I Call ”
No comments:
Post a Comment