Proverbial Post 4; Proverbs 11-13

May the mumbling commence!

We are nearly half way through our year of reading the Bible as it happened chronologically!  What a spiritual discipline!  Discipline?!?  That word has such a negative connotations.  It’s no wonder people struggle to maintain a spiritual discipline like Scripture reading or prayer or fasting.

We may look at Proverbs 13:24 and either shiver in fear or race to get our rods – “He who spare the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  But I wonder…  What rod was Solomon talking about?  Let’s look at today’s reading from Proverbs 11-13 with discipline in mind.  How do these chapters of Proverbs define the wisdom of discipline?  Read some wise sayings from chapter 12:

        Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

                        But he who hates correction is stupid.  (Verse 1)

The rod of discipline is knowledge and correction not a literal wooden rod or tree branch.

        The way of a fool seems right to him,

                        But a wise man listens to advice.  (Verse 15)

Ask yourself this question:  “Are you right?”  I know of few if any people who would answer this question “no.”  But, do NOT be a know-it-all.  Listen to advice.  The rod of discipline is also about being open to advice and changing errant ways.  Let’s move on to Proverbs chapter 13.

        Pride only breeds quarrels,

                        But wisdom is found in those who take advice.  (Verse 10)

Those who do not accept the rod of discipline are on the road to pride and quarrels.  This verse underscores our need to be malleable to the wisdom of Christ.  Take advice!

        He who scorns instruction will pay for it,

                        But he who respects a command is rewarded.  (Verse 13)

The rod of discipline is, once again, related to instruction.  Respect instruction and commands and be rewarded.

        He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame,

                        But whoever heeds correction is honored.  (Verse 18)

Is there any more doubt in our minds what the rod of discipline is?  It is about knowledge through godly correction, instruction, and advice.  And the attitude of heart we need to adopt is respect and openness to change our ways.  As we read Scripture, meditate, and pray, we open ourselves in a respectful way to change through the knowledge, correction, instructions, commands, and advice of God through the Holy Spirit.  And this correction is most efficient in community.  I thank God this day for my Bible reading community!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out