Wise Up: Proverbs 9
Proverbs 9 (NIV)
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has set up its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
from the highest point of the city,
4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
5 “Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.”
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
13 Folly is an unruly woman;
she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way,
16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
rebuke the wise and they will love you.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
Proverbs 9:7-9
Am I a mocker or a wise man? Am I angered by correction or do I view instruction as an opportunity to grow in Christ? Rejecting honest and sincere rebuke displays foolishness and pride. Wisdom recognizes the need for correction and prudence welcomes instruction that restrains sin.
Lord may I long for insight into godliness and yearn to be shown your way. Help me welcome correction that draws me to you and that encourages me to honor your holy word.
My daughter, 29, was rude last night and I walked away angry. Still frustrated this morning, I was thinking about how I should respond to her when I opened this. I needed wisdom. God has great timing.
So now I ponder, is she a mocker? She was last night. Is she wicked? No, but she is human and still learning how to navigate relationships. I am sure I need to stand up for myself. But to do it at the wrong time would invite insult and gain nothing. If I wait (as difficult as that is) for a time when she’s not tired, not caught up in other things, she can be wise.
All of us, in different circumstances, can be either mockers or wise. We just can’t be both at the same time.
Thanks Ann, I too have a similar daughter. I VERY often have to wait long to comment at just the right time-it is very hard. I’m printing out this post and putting it in my bible to read and re-read.
It’s good to know someone who understands. Thank you Char! I’ll be praying for you