S141P3 – More precious than gold: the humble listener
Pro. 25:12
Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
The perception he gave was that of a boy who had no problem learning his lessons the hard way. Independent to a fault, it was as if he could hear nothing beyond his own words. This regularly resulted in him never really learning his lessons. The boy who could brush off his shoulders and move on after every calamity only had half the picture right. He thought his ability to quickly move past his mistakes and not revisit them was an asset to his progress in life. However, his desire not to revisit those mistakes meant that no one could tell him better. Wise guidance was met with an eye roll and an attitude that said he already knew and did not need to hear it.
A wise reprover is like a judge who tells the man in error what he needs to change and how he can be better. If the man is also wise, he will heed this advice. We have all heard someone say and likely have said ourselves the words “I know, I know” in response to a wise reprover. Sometimes we feel as if we already know, even though our words or actions have not shown that. Other times we are just too proud and do not want to hear it. What God wants is for us to have listening ears that appreciate the treasure in a wise reproof. There are little nuggets of gold in those words if we are simply humble enough to listen. It is about recognizing our need for the other person’s wise correction.
When someone commits a crime, regardless of how minor or major, judges often will include some kind of advice with the sentencing. The criminal defendant has two options in that instance. He he can listen with open ears and heed that advice, understanding that he really needs to change, or he can smugly disregard that advice and consider the judge not worth his words. We all err, and we all can use a wise rebuke from one who knows better. As valuable as the reproof is, the listening ear that accepts it is just as precious. Father, thank You for the wise reprovers You have placed in our lives to correct us, and give us open ears to accept their words.