Ecclesiastes 7:5 “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.”
To convey wisdom, writers will use the contrastive method where the words “BETTER THAN” are used. In the Books of Wisdom, Solomon employs this tool many times. Here in our verse for consideration, we have a contrast between hearing a REBUKE and hearing a song of revelry. The song is enjoyable/pleasurable, while a rebuke is excruciating/painful. The challenge of the verse is how one will receive and respond to a rebuke, as 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. Unless we realize the VALUE of the rebuke, we are very prone to RESIST, even REJECT the rebuke rather than RECEIVE It.
How do you respond to a person stepping into your life with a rebuke? You should know how you respond to the rebuke and rebuker tells 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.
Those who would be wise must make wise decisions, and to make wise decisions, one must be wise enough to RECEIVE REUKES from someone who is wiser.
TIP for receiving what is better for you: 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.
Continue Strong, receiving rebukes,
And remember to DATE the Word