May 14, 2024

Passage Read: Proverbs 22-25
Meditation Verse: 24:25

Thought

There are several proverbs about the righteous rebuking the wicked, and how important that is. Here it says that the righteous who rebuke the wicked will be a delight and good blessing will come upon them. Will they be a delight to others or will they simply receive delight and enjoyment? Will the blessing come from other people or will it come from the Lord? It certainly has been the case in times past that people appreciated when the wicked were rebuked, as long as they were not also the ones rebuked. The oppressed love it when their oppressors are rebuked, but not so much when they themselves are also rebuked. Isaiah's ministry was to go to a people that would not listen. Jeremiah and Ezekiel enjoyed about the same fruit. Their words were recorded and included in Scripture for generations to see, but they did not save their own generations. They were not very popular, but they certainly enjoyed the favor of God, especially after they finished their life course.

Application

God wants the wicked rebuked, and it is only the righteous, those who know God, who recognize right from wrong. God expects those who know Him and walk in His ways to call out sin in those who do not walk in God's ways. But today, that has been called "judging," and judging has been reviled. Today, no one would delight in those who rebuke the wicked as God defines it, because they know they too are guilty before God. Even believers, who should know God and His heart, will revile someone who calls out sin. The Church, by and large, has fallen into the hands of unbelievers. The man who dares to rebuke wickedness should not expect favor or blessing from those who should agree with him, but he should look for it from the Lord, because the Lord never changes.