The Devotional - 1527 - Protection one's Actions

The Devotional – 1527 – Protecting one’s actions

Proverbs 9:1-12 – Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, "Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. "He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone." 

Comments and Challenges  

A “Blot” a “Blemish” or “Harm” is not the “to be, or not to be” question of the day; yet these three words will turn out to be very interesting to evaluate.

1.      KJV – He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he who rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a BLOT.

2.      NKJV (old edition) – He that reproves a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man gets himself a BLEMISH.

3.      NKJV (new edition) – He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only HARMS himself.

The Hebrew word for blot, blemish or harm is used only twice in the Old Testament = NUWN pronounced “MOOM” the only other time used is in the book of JOB 31:7. After Bildad’s comments about Job’s integrity and relationship with God, Job replies; beginning in Job 26 and near the end of his rebuttal Job says this to Bildad. “If my step has turned from the way, or my heart walked after my eyes, or if any “spot” (Hebrew MUWN) adheres to my hands, than let me sow and another eat; yes, let my harvest be rooted out”.

All too often we react before we THINK, emotions play a major role in the destruction of a friendship, relationship or even a casual meeting in a moment of time. We should be as sensitive as Job in the matter of offending people. No doubt evil is present in every one of us and no doubt again that to rebuke someone who is belching out scoffing words of evil will only ignite the flame of vengeance resulting in more hate. 

Dare I continue and say this? Hold your rebuke for the WISE man and if a rebuke is needed, he will love you for your watch care, note Galatians 2:11-15 and compare 2 Peter 3:14-18. Men and women; children too, who are saved by the grace of God are seated in the heavenlies; in Christ. This is our positional possession, yet experientially we live in a blemished, blotted, spotted and harmed world. The Hebrew Word MUWM means from the root word. STAINED; The stain in more common terms is SIN.

For the unsaved the stain remover is the Sacrificial LAMB of God, John 1:28 who is the Son of God, JESUS, compare John 3:36. For the saved the stain remover is also Jesus Christ whom we have heard from the beginning concerning the Word of Life; see 1 John 1:1-10.

PLEASE NOTE: Monday – September 15, 2014 I will be on a two or three week leave of absence. It is my hope to resume the devotionals on October 1^st and no later than October 6^th, 2014.