Without the law and without the Gospel, evil seemed to reign.”
–D.C. Adkisson (The True and Unbiased Life of Elias Butler)
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.'”
–Job 28:28 (NKJV)
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Bob Beasley refers to Proverbs, chapter 9, as a sandwich, the bread of the feast of wisdom on one side, and the bread of folly’s feast on the other. “Everyone in the world will attend one feast or the other, and all are on paths in opposite directions.” (Beasley) The test is one’s response to the Word of God.
7 — He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 — Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 — Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 — For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
12 — If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone. (NKJV)
How does one respond to a mocker? The best way is not at all. The wise will become more wise; he will increase his learning. But the mocker – you’ve seen them, the person who rolls his eyes at the truth of God’s Word, his response will be insult, abuse, and hatred. The wise will be rewarded while the mocker (scoffer) will suffer the fate of eternal death. This is the person who rejects what we are celebrating at Christmas–the great Gift of the Father to redeem mankind. This is the person at whom I can just shake my head. As J. Verson McGee says, if anything is to be learned from the Proverbs it is this, “A man is a fool to live without God in this world.”
Dan Dick states, “Growth comes from finding our weaknesses and working to build them into strengths.” This is done by listening and adhering to God’s Word. All Scripture is given for doctrine, rebuke, correction, and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16). The wise man will listen to the words of Paul, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy, 4:16, NIV) We must be open to His leadership and guidance. He knows the way, the means, and the obstacles we must overcome. I recall Basic Training, we had a reverent fear and respect for our instructors. We dared not roll our eyes at their instruction, yet the greatest Instructor of all–the Holy Spirit–is often ignored, scoffed at, mocked, and if not careful blasphemed. Dick relates that “The fear of the Lord is nothing more than knowing who He is and respecting Him.”
We live in a world of postmodernism, deconstructionism, and confusion. The broad-minded liberals who want their beliefs taught are really the narrow-minded bigots. They have a hatred for the things of God. They wouldn’t dare live in this world without proper insurance: life, auto, house, and the like. Yet they neglect the insurance of eternal salvation. As we read, we see who indeed is the real fool. “There are people who are so shallow, empty, and ignorant that they will not receive the Word of God at all.” (McGee)
If people reject you, it is because you have stirred the inner evil that resides in them. Hatred is not just an emotion, it is one who scorns and ridicules the truth of God’s Word. The choice is there, choose wisely and you will grow wiser. Choose to mock God and the path is clear–perdition awaits. As J.L. Flores writes, “A foraking of the wrong path must go before entrance into the right one.” How does one get to the right one if they continue in their hatred and bitterness? One last thought, think of David. He came to the point where he could have rejected the message of the Prophet Nathan, instead he was wise, accepted the rebuke of the prophet, repented, and continued on the path to victory.
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.'”
–Job 28:28 (NKJV)
——————————
Bob Beasley refers to Proverbs, chapter 9, as a sandwich, the bread of the feast of wisdom on one side, and the bread of folly’s feast on the other. “Everyone in the world will attend one feast or the other, and all are on paths in opposite directions.” (Beasley) The test is one’s response to the Word of God.
7 — He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.
8 — Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9 — Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 — The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 — For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.
12 — If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone. (NKJV)
How does one respond to a mocker? The best way is not at all. The wise will become more wise; he will increase his learning. But the mocker – you’ve seen them, the person who rolls his eyes at the truth of God’s Word, his response will be insult, abuse, and hatred. The wise will be rewarded while the mocker (scoffer) will suffer the fate of eternal death. This is the person who rejects what we are celebrating at Christmas–the great Gift of the Father to redeem mankind. This is the person at whom I can just shake my head. As J. Verson McGee says, if anything is to be learned from the Proverbs it is this, “A man is a fool to live without God in this world.”
Dan Dick states, “Growth comes from finding our weaknesses and working to build them into strengths.” This is done by listening and adhering to God’s Word. All Scripture is given for doctrine, rebuke, correction, and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16). The wise man will listen to the words of Paul, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy, 4:16, NIV) We must be open to His leadership and guidance. He knows the way, the means, and the obstacles we must overcome. I recall Basic Training, we had a reverent fear and respect for our instructors. We dared not roll our eyes at their instruction, yet the greatest Instructor of all–the Holy Spirit–is often ignored, scoffed at, mocked, and if not careful blasphemed. Dick relates that “The fear of the Lord is nothing more than knowing who He is and respecting Him.”
We live in a world of postmodernism, deconstructionism, and confusion. The broad-minded liberals who want their beliefs taught are really the narrow-minded bigots. They have a hatred for the things of God. They wouldn’t dare live in this world without proper insurance: life, auto, house, and the like. Yet they neglect the insurance of eternal salvation. As we read, we see who indeed is the real fool. “There are people who are so shallow, empty, and ignorant that they will not receive the Word of God at all.” (McGee)
If people reject you, it is because you have stirred the inner evil that resides in them. Hatred is not just an emotion, it is one who scorns and ridicules the truth of God’s Word. The choice is there, choose wisely and you will grow wiser. Choose to mock God and the path is clear–perdition awaits. As J.L. Flores writes, “A foraking of the wrong path must go before entrance into the right one.” How does one get to the right one if they continue in their hatred and bitterness? One last thought, think of David. He came to the point where he could have rejected the message of the Prophet Nathan, instead he was wise, accepted the rebuke of the prophet, repented, and continued on the path to victory.