Walking with the Wise #137: Regarding Rebuke

“A wise son hears his father’s instruction,

but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”
—Proverbs 13:1

God has ordained the father of a family to be the spiritual leader (cf. Ephesians 5:23-33; 6:4). He is to be a teacher and guide along the path of life—teaching his children what it means to live in a way that is pleasing and honoring to God, as well as warning of evil or unwise decisions that will lead them into trouble or worse—sin. Which means that as he teaches, he will inevitably rebuke them. Sooner or later, we all mess up. We make poor choices and suffer the consequences thereof. It is essential that we have in our lives someone older and wiser than ourselves so that we might be able to glean wisdom from their years of experience.

The parent-child relationship can be difficult, especially during the teenage and early adult years. It is the wise son, however, who listens to rebuke, who considers and mulls what is said, so as to ascertain the proper action and make the right choice. A foolish son is one who scoffs at parental advice, because he, in his youth and immaturity, thinks he knows what is best. Experience will inevitably prove to be a more merciless and unloving teacher, making sure to educate him in lessons by suffering the consequences for poor choices.

The principle for listening to a father is not just limited to the parent-child relationship, but also applies to the elder-youth relationship. With the family fragmented and many fathers not Christ-followers, it is necessary that we surround ourselves with older Christian men and women. Their words, forged by years of experience as they have journeyed with Christ, help us to do that which is pleasing to the Lord our God. When they rebuke, we are to listen, for it is to make us better. We do not complain when the doctor prescribes medicine for our sickness; we thank him and take the medicine, knowing that it will make us better. David, the great king of Israel, welcomed rebuke in his life. He wrote, “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it”—Psalm 141:5.

May the Lord our God, from whom every family on earth is named, enable us, by His grace, and empowered by His Spirit, to have listening hears and willing hearts to hear the words of the wise when they speak them to us. May the obstacles and opportunities we face in life be met with counsel from the aged and the learned. May wisdom be our marker and may the Word of God be our guide. May God be glorified in our choices and if we encounter sin or unsurety and we find ourselves in need of counsel, may the words of God help us sift the words of man. May God in His truth use the elder and wiser in our life to help us in our time of need so that we may walk safely, securely and with integrity so that Christ might be seen in us and bring His name great and awe-inspiring glory. Amen.