Proverbs 9:7 [ESV] Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
I was working with a couple and had decided to meet up with the husband for a few one-on-one sessions. The couple had serious challenges in their relationships and conflicting stories. It was difficult for myself to have any clarity about where the truth may be.
In chatting with the husband I asked a few questions and listened to what he had to say. He talked at great length and in details about all the things about his wife that needed to change. He seemed prepared to go on for quite some time of this direction.
I asked him to pause and consider what his contribution was to the marriage challenges, and he went in that direction for around 45 second before again launching out in all the details about his wife’s problems.
I tried that several times, with the same result. In the end he called me one day to tell me that “his friends” had told him he did not need any help, so he was going to stop coming to see me. I was doing this at no charge, so was surprised. But then again, was I really?
KNOWLEDGE
When a person is set in their ways to do evil and that is their world view and their culture it’s not wisdom to come along and think that you can just step into their world and somehow your correction will be what they listen to. Rather you will antagonise them to become your enemy and to look to bring harm your way whenever they can. They will make acquaintance with people of their own mindset, and find solidarity with them, although most likely, not trust.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word used for ‘scoffer”{ in Hebrew is pronounced as “yad” and carries the meaning hand, power and monument – it is translated in Psalms and Isaiah as scoffer, and in Proverbs as scoffer, scorner, and mocker [ESV].
The LXX uses “κακούς” [kakous – evil (men)] and this word appears 50 times in the New Testament, carrying meanings such as “wretches” in Matt 21:41, and “evil” in Luke 23:2. Other verses translate this as “evil doers; harmful; wrong” with “evil” being the most common translation.
WISDOM
Where will my insights be fruitful and a blessing to myself and others, plan to navigate that location well.
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Restorative as a Gallup Strength desires to bring something or someone back into their best original condition. Don’t get fixated on processes over people, and don’t overly focus on other’s shortcomings.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – whoever disciplines, warns, or corrects someone who takes everything into their own hands get himself dishonour, and he who rebukes or punishes an evil, wicked guilty man will gather a blemish.
Whoever corrects – whoever disciplines, warns or corrects
a scoffer – someone who takes everything into his own hands
gets himself abuse – gets himself dishonour
and he who reproves – and he who rebukes or punishes
a wicked man – an evil, wicked, guilty man
incurs injury – will gather a blemish
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me to have great wisdom with my words and my choice of companions.
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