Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
One of the tools for conveying wisdom is the contrastive method where the words “better than” are used. Solomon, in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, will numerous times say something is better than. Here we have a contrast between hearing a rebuke and hearing a song. The song is enjoyable/pleasurable while a rebuke may be excruciating/painful. The challenge of the verse is how one will receive and respond to a rebuke for a rebuke is going to challenge the actions/attitude of a person. The rebuke says what one is doing is wrong and needs to stop.
How do you respond to a person stepping into your life with a rebuke? You should know that how you respond to the rebuke and rebuker may tell more about your character than the wrong action. Proverbs 9:7-9 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. 8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
So, are you teachable? Coachable? Correctable? A wise person wants a wise person speaking truth into their lives so they can be a wiser person.
Are you willing to pray Psalms 141:5 which says, “Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it.”
Those who would be wise must make wise decisions and in order to make wise decisions one must be wise enough to receive rebukes from someone who is wiser.
Continue Strong Receiving Rebukes,
And remember to DATE the Word