Broadcast
The Way of Wisdom -- Part 4
Proverbs 9:7-9
06/13/2024
7 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and
he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be
still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will
increase in learning. (ESV)
Wisdom has called us to partake of the banquet, to sit at her
table, to eat and drink and listen to those who are wise so that
we leave our foolishness behind. Everyone is invited to hear the
Word of God, to gain as much insight and wisdom as they can. The
Holy Spirit uses the Word of God, the Wisdom of God, to call us
to faith, to enlighten us with His gifts of understanding and
trust, and to keep us in a firm relationship with the Triune God.
Not all who sit at Wisdon's table will benefit. Many hear
the truth of God's Word and reject it because they believe they
are wiser than the Almighty. Thus Wisdom says:
Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he
who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not
reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise
man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise
man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man,
and he will increase in learning.
The fool argues belligerently for his errors of judgment.
He seeks to justify himself, rejecting all correction, demanding
that the world conforms to his sense of right and wrong. The
fool is never in error, and will defend his ways by getting
louder and violent. Not so the wise man. He will consider that
which is said and will learn from the interaction. The wise man
recognizes and knows that there is much in this world of which he
is ignorant, so he seeks and appreciates all opportunities to
learn and to hear informed opinions. The way of the foolish
leads to dissension and fighting. The way of wisdom leads to
understanding and cooperation.
May our Lord make us wise through His Word, that we may live
at peace with one another, seeking the good of our neighbor with
thanksgiving. Amen.