Proverbs 12:1, To Love Correction!
June 2, Proverbs 12:1
1 Kings 22:1-28 “Be ye not as the horse, or the mule, which have no understanding” (Ps. 32:9).
To Love Correction!
Hear Ye! “Sin kisses, but kills!” It is a glittering sword, bright to the eye but dark as death to the heart! Do we really need more proofs that sin is folly and failure? This chapter continues to pile proverb on proverb to support the main theme of the Book, namely, to know wisdom and instruction (1:2). Wisdom sums up the whole purpose of the book of Proverbs. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom! The word Instruction means discipline, correction, sometimes chastening, for it not only coaches but also corrects! All men divide into two classes: the righteous, who learn wisdom, and the wicked, the fools, who despise both wisdom and instruction (1:7). “Wise men change their minds; fools have none to change.” There may seem to be exceptions to this, but experience justifies its truth.
1. A Gracious Reminder: Young readers, consider carefully this verse! The way to knowledge is never easy. You want that diploma or degree, a worthy goal, but will you accept the discipline necessary to its achievement? The wise take instruction and rebuke, as the Hebrew word implies. They even love it! The end, they know, is worth the effort now. “Wisdom is a good bargain, cost what it may.” Athletes pay coaches to train them by correcting their faults and thus eliminate their weaknesses. The blood, sweat and tears are gladly endured because of the dream of gold as they compete with the best before the watching world. Large firms employ highly paid efficiency experts to identify areas of waste, and thus boost productivity and profits. Don’t let puny pride get in the way of attaining this pure knowledge. Why should you reject reproofs especially from those who love you most? You should never resent the kindly prodding of caring parents to keep your nose to the grindstone. Never forget that they, above all others, have your best interests at heart. To accept correction, and admit you were wrong, shows that you are wiser today than you were yesterday (12:15). Whoso loves instruction [discipline] loves knowledge.
2. A Grievous Reproach: He that hates reproof is brutish. Anyone, of whatever age, who thinks he or she is above criticism will seldom make it, as we say, in the challenges of life. Derek Kidner put it excellently: “If you think yourself above criticism, you are not worth it.” It is the brutish, the unreceptive person, who hates reproof. Reproofs are arguments to convince, but the brutish Ahab hated it and punished the one faithful prophet who brought it. Many prefer false flattery to faithful rebuke (1 Kg. 22:6-8). Is this what Paul calls the natural man who receives not the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14)? These prefer their own wisdom to God’s. They mostly kick against the pricks, as did Paul, till God brought him to his knees. In a sinful world, man grows by submitting to discipline especially at the hand of his Maker. Ephraim bemoaned God’s chastening, yet cried: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the Lord my God (Jer. 31:18).
Thought: “Submission of the will is the only road to Christian attainment” (Bridges).
Prayer: Lord, give me a teachable spirit to sit at the feet of Jesus.