Proverbs study: reasons for reproof
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life. - Proverbs 6:23
The concept of reproof or discipline is speckled all throughout the Proverbs.
The Hebrew word, ‘towkechah’, which translates to ‘reproof’, is mentioned 23 times in Proverbs. It means to correct or rebuke, specifically within the pursuit of wisdom and righteousness. Then there’s the word discipline, or ‘musar’ in Hebrew. This word is used 51 times in Proverbs. It refers to restraint or heeding to instruction or teaching. There are many other Hebrew words for similar words for correcting, reproving and disciplining.
Notice that none of these definitions mean to punish. While reproof feels critical, negative and harsh, godly reproof is intended to reign you back onto the path of life. And away from what would destroy you, a life towards sin and death.
We have to remind ourselves of this truth because being “drug” back into living for God while we’re happily, comfortably living for ourselves is hard and painful. But with godly reproof, we’re pushed towards God, who means good for us. Even if we don’t feel it at that moment.
Sadly, this term has been widely abused and misused amongst the church. If a rebuke doesn’t bring us back to God’s feet in loving grace, it’s not godly reproof at all but something else entirely.
In Proverbs 6:23 we see both those Hebrew words again to describe both reproof and discipline as the “way to life”. Meaning, we aren’t talking about your average correction. It’s ultimate wisdom, the wisdom of God. That leads you to life in Himself. That is to say, this is life and death importance-level correction.
Then Proverbs 10:17, “He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.” We see this a lot in Proverbs, the option to take one of two paths. One towards life in God and the others toward foolishness and death. Foolishness being the opposition of wisdom.
Wisdom teaches us that when we accept godly discipline we not only find the source of all life, but we avoid the path towards foolishness and away from God.
I’ll end with Proverbs 1:25, “And you neglected all my counsel, and did not want my reproof;”. We see the Hebrew word ‘azab’ again. Meaning, we are actively ignoring what is freely offered to us at every corner. Wisdom isn’t hiding (Proverbs 1:20). It’s not as though we just haven’t quite found it yet, we are ignoring what is in front of us if we reject wisdom.
What is blocking your vision from seeing God’s wisdom? Is it your own “wisdom”? Is it that the walk God calls you to is too difficult and uncomfortable, so instead you stay in our comfort zone?
Everyone has a choice. Will we accept and even love God’s loving discipline and grow in our knowledge of Him? Or will we reject it and continue living our lives how we feel is best being “right in our own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15)? The choice is yours.
