Proverbs 29

PROVERBS 29

"He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck,
Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
(vs 1)

We read throughout the Old Testament how Israel often refused to listen to the Lord, and accept His discipline. Even after He had delivered them many times, they would once again need to be rebuked, as they turned from following Him, and stubbornly rejected His correction.

Nehemiah recounts the many rises and falls of the Israelites, and tells of the deliverers (the Judges) that God had sent time and again to rescue them and set the nation back on God’s path and give them rest. But...

“But after they had rest, they again did evil before You.
Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies,
So that they had dominion over them;
Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven;
And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,
And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law.
Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments,
But sinned against Your judgments,
‘ Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’
And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear.
Yet for many years You had patience with them,
And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets.
Yet they would not listen;
Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands."
- Neh 9:28-30


Elsewhere in the Book of Proverbs we read -

"Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you."
- Prov 9:8

"He who listens to a life-giving rebuke
will be at home among the wise."
- Prov 15:31

Rebuke or correction is meant to be a good thing. Those who are wise will recognize, accept, and be thankful for a reproof that opens their eyes to God’s Truth on a matter. The Bible says in several places - The Lord rebukes those He loves... for our own good, that He may rid us of the sin in us that cannot dwell in His Presence. He chastens and corrects us... so He can bless us with His goodness.

"Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
- Rev 3:19

God is preparing a Church, a body for His Son, kings to rule with the King over all creation. I see a strong connection between verse 1 above, and the following verse -

"The king who judges the poor with truth,
His throne will be established forever."
(vs 14)

The second book of Samuel 7:12-17 was the passage I was led to that tied them together, and I hope to share more on that later, after I pray and seek God’s understanding on these verses.

May we never refuse the correction of the Lord, which comes in prayer, through the reading of the Word, from a pastor or discerning elder. May we always judge rightly and in Truth. Friends, may all we say and do, and hope for, be pleasing unto God.

Peace & blessings,

Michael