SONGS OF FOOLS OR REBUKE OF THE WISE

MEMORY VERSE: it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools, Ecclesiastes 7:5

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deut 27, Ps 119:1-24, Isa 54, Matt 2

The friends of the wise are always wise. Proverbs 13:20 says he that walketh with the wise shall be wise but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Not only that, a wise fellow circles himself with people that will tell him the hard truth not people that will tell him what he wants to hear. A wise fellow is always wary of people who flatter him. First of all, the wise don’t use flattery. Job 32:21-22 says I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person. For I do not know how to flatter, else my Maker would soon take me away. If I were you I will stay far away from people who use flattery. Proverbs 29:5 says a man who flatters his neighbors spreads a net for his feet. Wise sisters will watch out for brothers who use flattery.

Ecclesiastes 7:5 says it is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the songs of fools. The problem with many is that they do not want to be told off, they prefer sweet lies to bitter truth. The rebuke of the wise will save you a lot of embarrassment and shame. It will help you fulfill God’s plan for your life. Naaman received his healing because of the rebuke of his wise servant, 2 Kings 5:2-15. At first he became furious because the man of God told him to go and dip himself in river Jordan 7 times. As he was about to leave, his servants told him that if the prophet had asked him to do something harder he would have done it, so why not just obey the simple instruction of the man of God. He listened to his servant and he was healed.

Uzziah on the hand surrounded himself with fools, 2 Chronicles 26:16-21. He walked in to the temple to burn incenses – something which was abomination for anyone who was not from the descendant of Aaron. Instead of his servants to warn him, they kept on saying long live the king. They kept on reminding him that he was the king of the land and whatever he says was final. When the priest were warning him , the followers kept on reminding him that he was the king and kings do not take orders from anyone. Since he would not listen, the Lord disciplined him and he became a leper. I pray that you will not end up like Uzziah in Jesus name. The psalmist says let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head, Psalm 141:5. The rebuke of the wise may be harsh and unpleasant but there is a safety in it.

PRAYER: Father, please give me the grace to turn at the rebuke of the wise.

ACCEPTING REBUKE OR ELSE

Proverbs 29:15 – The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Rebuke and chastisement are not to be used for victimization or bullying. They are not to be used to oppress or force people to do things that are wrong. Doing this is an abuse of power and God greatly disapproves of this. Rebuke and Chastisement are to show love. When we notice a son or daughter treading the part of destruction or doing things that may incur the wrath of God out of love let us rebuke and chastise them. The Lord said in Revelations 3:19 ‘as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. God often rebukes and chastens those He loves .One of the advantages of rebuke and chastisement is that it brings about wisdom. When we are rebuked and chastised over a matter, instead of getting angry or take offence, let’s change. It is for our good because once we accept correction and change, we will become wise. Proverbs 3:35 says the wise shall inherit glory. Daniel 12:3 says those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens. You want to shine in your chosen field of endeavour or marriage or business or ministry? Be ready to change and accept correction when rebuked and chastised over a matter . From time to time, God uses our parents physically or in the Lord to rebuke us, instead of arguing and getting angry let us humble ourselves and change. It is pride not listen to correction.

Proverbs 29:15 says the rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. One of the biggest disservice an individual or a family can do to themselves is to refuse to be rebuked. When such individual or family does that, they are left alone and shame is not far from such. In 2 Chronicles 26 is the story of Uzziah the king of Judah. He became so big that He was willing to discipline men of God when they rebuked him for trying to offer incense in the house of God. God became angry with Uzziah and leprosy fell on him. In 2 Kings 13:14-19 Joash was given an opportunity to completely deal with all his enemies. Because of the way this king dealt with the opportunity, Elisha rebuked him and corrected him . Instead of accepting correction and changing ,he became angry and refused. That was how he lost the opportunity to wipe away his enemies . Today,how are you dealing with that opportunity God gave to you to work in His vineyard. Do you get angry and decide not to work again in God's vineyard when rebuked? If you have been rebuked over a matter instead of leaving and courting shame, why not change and be wise so that you can have a glorious future.

KEY POINT: Ask God to forgive you for refusing correction. Every area where you have been corrected, begin to make corrections.