Year 5, Day 300: Proverbs 9

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Discipleship Focus: Challenge

• Challenge: God does not merely wish us to be in relationship with Him as we are.  He challenges us to grow, stretch, and transform as we take on the mantle of being His representatives to this world.

Proverb 9 is all about challenge – especially in the beginning half.  “Whoever corrects a scoffer will get abuse … do not reprove a scoffer or he will hate you.”  These verses are completely about challenge.  To be more precise, these verses are about unwelcome challenge.  If we try and speak challenge into a life that is not ready to receive it, it will fall flat.  In fact, it can actually do damage and create a bad relationship or a bad impression.  We need to speak challenge, but we need to speak challenge where it will be heard.

On the other hand, we hear “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”  If we speak truth into those who are willing to receive it, it will be welcomed and it will create relationship.  It will create growth.  When we challenge those who are willing to be challenged we can be the tool in God’s hand.

Isn’t that what we all really want in life?  Do any of us enjoy beating our head in unfruitful labor?  Wouldn’t we all rather be able to what we feel called to do?

Listen, simple ones.  Come and dwell in wisdom.  We can all learn from her if we are willing to give up ourselves and our agendas.  We can all walk in her insight if we will just be willing.  We can all choose to give challenge appropriately.  We can all choose to receive challenge appropriately, too.

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