Probing Proverbs 13:1-2 1 A wise child accepts a parent’s
discipline; a mocker refuses to listen to correction. Wise words will win you a
good meal, but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.In this section of Proverbs we are seeing the comparison between people with wisdom and those without. The first point has to do with our attitude, the second with what we reap.
Many times as adults we read the word “child” and
immediately move on thinking it does not apply to us. This is not the way the
Scripture works! There is always a “local” truth to Scripture, i.e. the obvious
implication of the statement. Clearly this first statement would apply to a
normal family situation. A child that is wise, accepts the discipline of dad
and mom, a rebellious child refuses. Yet, we must remember, especially with
poetical Scripture, God has the Big Picture in mind. So in this sense, since
God is Father to all as far as Creator, we all are His children. God is warning
all of us about our attitude. If, when we sin, and God attempts to correct us,
yet in pride we rebel and close our ears…God calls us a “mocker” or
a “scorner.”
So in English what do these words mean?
Mock:
make(something)seem laughably, unreal or impossible.
Scorn:
feel or express contempt or derision for.
These are not good descriptions coming from a loving God! On
the other hand, if you are an individual that is willing to receive from God
that you were wrong and sinned, you possess wisdom!
The entire theme of Proverbs is to promote all of us to live in
Wisdom. God exhorts, compares, blesses and warns throughout this book the
reaping that both attitudes will produce. The next verse is a prime example; a person that walks in wisdom, because of the words he uses, he will experience good! The example here deals with food, but the principle has to do with the “fruit” of Wisdom. When you speak with wisdom, no matter the circumstance, you will reap good…maybe not from everybody because some deny Truth; but from those that are open to hear wisdom, and especially the One that matters the most, God, you will reap praise.
If, though, your motives are selfish and careless toward God,
you will hunger for a fight! It does not matter what the Truth is, if it does
not fit your agenda, your appetite will not be satisfied until you get your
way! There is one overwhelming danger in always wanting your way, and I found
it best said by C. S. Lewis in his book “The Great Divorce.” When the main
character asks his guide if heaven were really possible, his reply communicates
so much truth from God’s message to us:
“There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to
God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end,
"Thy will be done."
Wisdom approaches God on the basis of Who He is and yields to
that…and
in turn becomes a child of God and lives forever with Him. When your agenda is
to do “your
own thing” and only the way you want it, you refuse to approach God on the
basis of Who He is, in the end you say, “Either you come to me the way I want, or I
don’t
want you!” Sadly, but justifiably, God will say, “Thy will be done!” You
will then spend eternity outside the life and love of God – NOT
because He chose it, BUT because you chose it.
The so what? What do you believe about God? Where did your
picture come from? Do you have conditions that you require God to meet before
you will acknowledge Him as God? If God is GOD, can anyone demand from Him? Isn’t
it wiser to just humble yourself and choose life with your Creator?
