Topic: Wisdom or Scornful
Proverbs 13:1, “A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
The entire chapter of Proverbs thirteen is a description of wisdom. Wisdom is full of checks and balances. God balances the faithful and shuns excesses and compulsiveness. Wisdom teaches balance by trusting in God. Living life without trusting in God is slavery to sin. Solomon shares the importance of a balanced life by comparing and contrasting literary style in chapter thirteen. For example, Solomon makes a comparison between a son who accepts discipline and a son who is a scoffer. A son who accepts discipline is one who can be taught. Discipline is a corrective tool used by parents to teach right from wrong. A wise son accepts the correction of his father. Solomon stresses the attribute of wisdom is the willingness to be corrected.
In contrast, he uses the word “scoffer” or “scorner.” A scoffer pretends not to understand. “A scoffer seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge is easy for one who has understanding.” (Proverbs 14:6). Why can’t they “find” wisdom? They don’t want to. What are the two favorite phrases of a scoffer? “I don’t know” and “Whatever.” These popular statements indicate that they don’t understand because they don’t want to. They know that if they begin to understand, things will get convicting.
According to Proverbs 13:1, a wise child gets instruction. But what does a scorner get? Rebuke. The word “instruction” in this verse is translated in the Hebrew Bible as doctrine. A wise son hears his father’s doctrine (i.e. teaching). The word “rebuke” in the Bible is interesting. In the book of Proverbs, the word refers to the response of a father to a son. In most books of the Bible however, it refers to the response of God to His children—Israel. God’s “rebukes” are often physical measures prescribed to get their attention. For example, God’s rebuke is stated in one place to be thunder, fire or whirlwind. In fact, almost every time in the Bible where God’s rebuke is spoken of, it has to do with nature. It is a physical measure that is designed and ordered by God to get the attention of His people. God doesn’t sit down and reason with scorners. He sends divine discipline, and it hurts.
Are you open to being corrected? Are you resistant to correction? The choice is yours and so are the results.
Proverbs 13:14, “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn aside from the snares of death.”
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem