This chapter again contains many themes, and many obscure proverbs, so we’ll only break down a few.
“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.” (v1, 19)
Have you ever seen someone (maybe yourself) with a stubborn (prideful) spirit who resists correction? What happens when we do that? We usually end up suffering far more severe consequences than we would have if we had followed the wise guidance / correction.
“By justice a king builds up the land, but he who taxes heavily tears it down. A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.” (v4, 7)
God loves His people dearly. Throughout the entirety of scripture, sins against other people have more severe consequences than sins exclusively against God. This is further magnified when the sins are committed against multiple people, such as a foolish leader or a large-scale perpetrator. The greater the atrocity against our neighbors, the greater the consequences.
The worst part is, those who consistently defy God’s loving correction, or wrong other people, will also suffer eternal consequences, if they are not saved by faith and forgiven of that sin.
I strongly urge us to address any outstanding sin in our own lives, removing the plank from own own eye. By humbling ourselves, and accepting God’s loving correction and forgiveness, God may then work through us to help remove the speck from our neighbor’s eye (gently correct them). Once we receive God’s grace and mercy, the Holy Spirit will help others through our testimony.
Father God, our Gracious and Merciful Lord, Your forgiveness is underserved and cannot be repaid. We praise and glorify Your name for such gifts, and the salvation Jesus made possible. May we fully embrace Your gentle correction, and repent of any sin in our lives. May Your Holy Spirit then work through us in a powerful way, changing the hearts of those around us so they too may experience Your grace and mercy. All honor, glory and praise be unto You, O Lord God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training