#DailyDevotion Are You A Scoffer Or Do You Have The Fear Of The LORD
Proverbs 9:7-10 7If you correct a scoffer, you get insulted. If you criticize a wicked person, you get hurt. 8Don’t correct a scoffer or he will hate you; correct a wise person and he will love you. 9Give advice to a wise person and he’ll be wiser still. Teach a righteous man and he will learn more. 10The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Well we certainly this this carried out in the life of Jesus and his teaching. The Pharisee and the Sadducees certainly scoffed at his correction of their teaching and their lives which matched. They insulted Jesus until they carried out their hate for him on the cross and murdered him, all the while scoffing at him. Do not think they will treat you any differently when you try to teach, correct, reproof and condemn their beliefs and sinful lives. We see this carried out particularly in out day when Christian businesses refuse to do a service which would glorify someone’s sin. I note that at least in this place it doesn’t say don’t correct a scoffer but when you do, prepare for some flack because it is coming.
On the the other hand, the prostitutes, tax collectors, adulterers and other sinners loved Jesus’s correction and showed themselves wise by changing their beliefs and their lives. In turning their lives towards Jesus and listening to his teaching they became wiser still. In putting their faith in Jesus they were declared righteous and became righteous in their lives. They gained knowledge of the Holy One, Jesus Christ and gained understanding about who God is and what his attitude towards them is, which is love. Jesus revealed to them and to us the name of the LORD in his teaching and his life. That name is, “the LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, slow to get angry, rich in love and faithfulness, 7continuing to show mercy to thousands, forgiving wrong, rebellion, and sin, without treating it as innocent, but disciplining children and children’s children to the third and fourth generation for the sins of their fathers.”(Ex. 34:6-7) The name shows the correction of the LORD and his mercy, kindness, love and forgiveness.
In this passage here we see the familiar, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” But what does this mean? What is the “fear of the LORD”? Proverbs and the Psalms tells us, “Fear the LORD and you’ll hate evil. I hate conceit and pride, wicked behavior and perverse speech.” (Pr. 8:13) “13Then stop talking evil and saying deceitful things; 14turn away from wrong and do good; be eager for peace and pursue it!”(Ps. 34) If you love evil, i.e. you run towards and can’t wait to participate in it, you don’t have the fear of the LORD. If you use your lips for any evil thing, you don’t fear the LORD for the LORD is the Word of God and he created speech and you are using it for purposes other than he created it. If you are not turning from wrong to do good, seeking peace and pursuing it but rather turning from good and causing dissension wherever you go then you don’t have the fear of the LORD.
The fear of the LORD lands you smack dab in front of Jesus. From him you receive correction and reproof, but also mercy, kindness, love and forgiveness as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit to begin to turn your life around. From him and his cross you will gain knowledge and understanding that imparts eternal life and the kingdom of God.
Heavenly Father, gives us contrite and humble hearts that receive correction so we may receive your mercy in Jesus and give us your knowledge and understanding. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.