Posted on 11/16/2021 11:23:58 PM PST by Pilgrim's Progress
“A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool” (Proverbs 17:10).
We always think of foolishness, and a fool, as just being kind of a clownish you know dupe kind of a humorous-type scenario. Like the English kings had their “fools” which kept the court entertained. It's not humorous. It’s not funny. If your kid is a fool, it is no joy at all; because you can whip him, you can beat him and he still doesn't get right—that's a bad thing. That's a really bad, sad thing.
“The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame” (Proverbs 29:15).
“. . . a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” Now, it shows there that the rod (presumably what lays a stripe on) and a reproof work together for a child. We all know that that is not a popular teaching these days and I'm not going to push it real hard as far as telling you all the details of what you should do and shouldn't do; but the idea folks is that foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, right? The rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Today’s verse says that a reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. So, I ask you, what are we doing here anyway? These devotions emphasize preaching and teaching the word of God, and part of that emphasis is putting it across the plate straight and hard. I don't spare anybody's feelings too much, and I try to be charitable and loving as much as possible; but do let folks have it right between the eyes.
Now what is that all about, folks? It's all about an appeal to wise men, wise women, and yes, wise children. The appeal is to somebody who is not interested in playing a fool. If you will receive reproof from God and His word, it saves you lots of strife later. That's the idea. And once a man gets to the point as a fool, to the point of stripes, maybe he just doesn't even learn anything anymore.
I believe that Isaiah said it best: “Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint” (4-5).
Here's somebody that wouldn’t learn anything, and the Lord just flat gave up on him. Don’t let that be you, friend.
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Absolutely true.
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