These verses
from Proverbs tell us those who become hardened
when they are reproved for wrong doing, will suddenly be destroyed. Also,
when righteous people are in authority, people are rejoicing; however, when
wicked men rule, the people groan and sigh.
Verse 1
stresses the importance of heeding advice and correction. Many people are
stubborn and prideful, so they refuse to be disciplined and continue on in their
path of destruction. People who refuse correction bring the wrath of God
upon themselves. What is the wrath of God? It is punishment for
wrong doing. It is reaping the consequences for the sinful deeds one has
committed. When we fail to obey the Word of God, we open ourselves up to the
attacks of the devil. When we obey God and walk in faith, we are kept under His
umbrella of protection and evil does not rain down on us. However, if we
refuse correction, we walk out from under that protection and the devil will
pound us with his attacks.
Jeremiah 5:3: O
LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have
not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive
correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to
return.
If we receive
correction when God speaks to us about something we are doing wrong, then we can
avoid punishment. If we refuse to obey and continue in our wickedness,
then our wickedness and backslidings will produce the circumstances that will
show us the need for correction. If we would simply listen to the Lord in
the first place, we could avoid the trouble we have created by our disobedience.
Jeremiah 2:19:
Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove
thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast
forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD
of hosts.
We can choose to
obey God and be blessed, or we can choose to disobey, and reap the consequences
that lead to destruction. No matter what our choices are today, they are
ultimately creating our future because every choice that we make will either
cause us to be blessed or cursed. Another way to put it, is that things will get
better or worse for us. All choices have consequences. These consequences will
be for our betterment or will work to destroy us. We are also responsible for
our choices. The Bible challenges us with this admonition:
Deuteronomy
30:19: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that
both thou and thy seed may live.
Messages going forth in
our society today have stressed our "right to choose," but have not
balanced it with the message that our choices also have consequences
(especially in the area of lust and selfishness.) For instance, most
movies have glamorized many things that are bad for us and have not
generally shown the destructive results of smoking, drinking, adultery,
fornication, gambling, abortion, etc.
These things do not
often hit home until ----
A loved one gets lung cancer and is
dying. A child is killed by a drunk driver.
Close friends divorce because of the
unfaithfulness of a mate . A teen is infected with a venereal
disease she will have for life. A family loses their home because of
gambling debts. A baby is aborted because of the
lust and selfishness of its parents, leaving them struggling with
guilt.
If we become
hardened and refuse correction, then some choices we make can bring destruction
that is beyond remedy as our decisions can destroy us. There is only one hope
for those who have made numerous bad decisions and are on the road to
destruction. That remedy is to turn to Jesus and repent, and He then will
give new life to those who have no hope. God is able to take what Satan means
for evil against us and turn it around and bring something good out of a
hopeless situation. If we humble ourselves and walk in the fear and
respect of God, we can find true riches and honor in this life, according to
Proverbs 22: 3-4 .
Verse 2 in
today's study tells us how a people will rejoice when good people are in
positions of authority; and conversely, how people are oppressed under a wicked
person's authority. Homes, schools and businesses that have good people in
charge create an environment so that all the people are blessed. On the
other hand, wicked people who are in charge of institutions cause a lot of
misery for all the people around them, because they have bad dispositions and
lack morals. Many people have left a good paying job for this reason, taking
less money for a job that had good people over them.
