Contrast the Upright and the Wicked
12 Whoever loves [a]discipline loves knowledge,
But he who hates reproof is stupid.
2 A good man will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a man [b]who devises evil.
3 A man will not be established by wickedness,
But the root of the righteous will not be moved.
4 An [c]excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are just,
But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the house of the righteous will stand.
8 A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse [d]mind will be despised.
9 Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant
Than he who honors himself and lacks bread.
Oofta, what a way to start this proverb. Do you love discipline, do you enjoy being corrected, do you crave reproof? Probably not, but we should! The alternative is not good, and Solomon calls it like it is. If you’re so set in your ways that you can’t imagine being wrong, then you’re stupid. Not my words, God’s (via Solomon)!
When we get stuck in a rut, and this come back to something we saw in the previous chapter, we need good people around us to help us course correct. We need to know if we’re way off base. Do you want God’s favor, do you want a solid foundation? Even better, do you want a better marriage, or relationship with your parents, kids, friends, and coworkers?
Then be willing to admit you might be wrong, and that you don’t know everything. I had a situation with work where I thought I had it figured it, and I still might have been partially right, but I asked a coworker for his perspective, and we found something else that totally makes sense. But I couldn’t see it, even though I was looking right at it!
We need people willing to speak into our lives, and we need to listen to them. If we can’t, then we’re in rough shape, we will be overthrown and despised, and the only honor will be that which we heap upon our own heads. And that’s worth about as much as a crust of bread, because that’s what we’ll end up with.
I’m reminded of Pharaoh when Moses asked him to release the Israelites from bondage. His heart was heard, and it was his way or the highway. He paid dearly for that, too much, more than anyone should have to. Not only would he not listen to God, he believed he was a god, and he paid the price.
Soften your heard and mind, and listen for the voice of God, and listen for the truth from those around you. You may even find hidden gems in over-the-top criticism. Not everything you hear is going to be right, but with God’s guidance (ask for it), you’ll find the way you should go, and you’ll know it is right in your heart.