God is our Shield

GOD IS OUR SHIELD

"He (God) holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." Proverbs 2:7-8

Proverbs chapter 2 has three parts to it: One, the writer, known as "the Sage," encourages young people to seek wisdom and a relationship with God. Two, he encourages the development of moral sensitivity, or a conscience. Three, he encourages wise choices in our selection of friends, with the promise that with wise choices we will avoid evil and will be rewarded by God.

The problem is, how many of us consistently do all of these good things? Attaining Wisdom is a life-long pursuit. It involves hard work and consistent effort. It means we have to think, ask hard questions, study and always be open to learning. Sometimes it is exhausting, and when we fail it can be so frustrating. And, along the way, we often stumble and fall. The truth is, we sometimes pick the wrong friends, make bad choices, and get ourselves into trouble.

If we are not careful we can despair of ever living the righteous life that God wants for us to lead. The righteous life doesn’t mean a perfect life, it means a life that is living in the direction God wants it to go, being molded and shaped by God’s spirit and truth. To be righteous means we try to live as God wants us to, being shaped by the Bible and making ethical choices. For example, if we have the opportunity to make a lot of money fast but illegally, we will choose not to. Making money illegally or immorally is against God, so the righteous person won’t do it.

A young man was arrested for dealing illegal drugs. At the time of his arrest he had several thousand dollars stashed away. After his release from custody, and a stint at rehabilitation, he was going to go back to his stash and get it for himself. But, while he was in custody he began to realize that the money he had hidden was illegal and immoral. He made that money selling drugs to other children. His conscience began to develop to the point that he didn’t feel it was the right thing, the Christian thing, to enjoy the money that he had obtained immorally. He decided to let the money go, along with the friends and lifestyle from his drug-using and drug-selling days. That was a righteous decision.

Making righteous decisions is not easy. But there is good news for those trying to live righteously: we are never fully alone. Even if we stand alone, even if we stand apart from friends or classmates because we have different interests than they do, we are never truly alone. God holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. We have God as our shield to help and protect us when we are trying to live righteously.

In ancient times warriors would carry a shield into battle. Defensively a shield protected a soldier from arrows or swords. He could hide behind his shield and protect his body from being hit. Offensively a soldier could use it to push against an enemy line or even strike an enemy soldier. It was an indispensable part of a soldier’s equipment.

This piece of military equipment is used as a metaphor for the kind of protection God offers us. God will protect us against attacks from enemies and he will go ahead of us to strike at the temptation waiting to engulf us.

Interestingly, the word used for shield actually means, resource, defined as "an inner power that helps one escape a fix." (Fox, 1:114). God is our resource to protect us and guide us as we seek to live righteously. He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

How is God a shield or resource for us against evil companions or temptation to sin? One, remember God’s promise that he will never allow us to be tempted above what we can bear. (1 Cor.10:13). Secondly, the wise counsel of parents and spiritual friends is a valuable ally in finding the strength to do what is right. (Proverbs 27:9-20). Thirdly, having the Word of God in our hearts and trusting it above our own opinions is one of the greatest resources God gives us to shield us on the path of righteousness. (Proverbs 3:1,5).

Warren Baldwin

Two Meals

TWO MEALS

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. ‘Let all who are simple come in here!’ she says to those who lack judgment. Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed." Proverbs 9:1-5

Food serves our bodies and our relationships. The nutritional value of the food sustains our bodies and gives them strength. The relationship value of food sustains our bond with family and friends when we dine together. Mealtime provides opportunity for being vulnerable, sharing stories, enjoying fellowship, healing past wounds, and eagerly anticipating future banquets together.

So important is this latter function of sharing a meal together to build and sustain relationships that the Bible draws upon the experience to illustrate higher realities beyond the meal itself. Proverbs 9:1-6 is an example of that.

Two meals are served in Proverbs 9, the first by an industrious host commonly referred to as Woman Wisdom. This woman built a house requiring seven pillars, indicating it is wide and spacious, thus able to accommodate many guests. She set a luxurious table of meat and wine. Meat was a special treat for many ancient people, and the wine was mixed, meaning she probably added special spices to create a unique and satisfying flavor. After the meal was ready Woman Wisdom sent her servants out to the highest point of the city to cry out, "Let all who are simple come in here ... Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed." Those who attend this banquet will find nourishment for their bodies, but they will find even more. The fellowship value of this meal means that those who dine here will be able to "walk in the way of understanding."

Meanwhile, another woman in Proverbs 9 is inviting guests in to her meal as well. This hostess is known as Woman Folly. Unlike Woman Wisdom, this second lady in not industrious with her house or her meal. In fact, she is loud, undisciplined and foolish. Instead of working hard she sits in the doorway of her house and calls out to those passing by, "Let all who are simple come in here!" She invites the same people Woman Wisdom does! In fact, they both proffer their invitations at the highest point of the city, a place of great significance, and they invite the same people, those who are simple and gullible. But whereas the first lady served fine meat and wine, the second serves stolen water and food. "Stolen water is sweet," she says, "food eaten in secret is delicious." The enticing element of this second meal is not the nutritional value of the food, but the excitement of the erotic and forbidden nature of the meal. It is secretive, and those who dine here do not nourish their bodies, but revel in pleasures that are improper. In fact, any pleasures experienced by those who fill themselves on this meal will be short lived. "Little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of the grave." (Prov. 9:13-18).
Obviously, something is taking place here that is larger than the meal itself. The Sage is using food and meal as a metaphor for paths of life. Woman Wisdom, the grand and industrious lady who serves a fine meal and whose diners become wise, is issuing her call from God. She is inviting the simple to come follow the ways of divine wisdom and godly ethic. She calls the gullible to leave the world and enter relationship with God.

Woman Folly, on the other hand, represents any competing thought, personality or system to the great God of heaven. Like Woman Wisdom, Woman Folly is positioned at the highest point of the city, the place where temples were built in ancient society. Whereas Woman Wisdom represents God, Woman Folly would represent the false idols and religions that plagued Israel. Today, she would represent anything that calls us away from godly living with its promise of sweet, forbidden drink and pleasure.

God has served a meal, rich, succulent, hearty and nutritious. It feeds more than our bodies; it feeds our lives, character and souls. In the immediate context, the meal is the wisdom of Proverbs. In the larger context, the meal is the whole Bible, from which we learn of the invitation to salvation in Jesus and a relationship with God.

The father calls us. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have fixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding (Prov. 9:5-6). Dinner is served. Will you come?

Warren Baldwin

Note: Please read Laries review of Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks and Other Gems from Proverbs on her blog, My Heart Speaks.

Rebuke

REBUKE

Rebuke is a bad word. How many of you even like the sound of it? The thought of "rebuke" conjures up negative images for me, images of being "gotten on to" or of "getting on to someone." Those kind of situations are not pleasant.

Rebuke isn’t a bad word, it just has a bad name. The idea of "rebuking" someone is part of a larger context of teaching. The teaching process covers several phases of education: instructing, correction (rebuke) and conviction. A father instructions his son, he corrects him when he strays from what he has been taught, and over time, as the father continues to instruct and correct, the son internalizes what he has been taught. The lessons and corrections become the personal conviction of the son. For example, a father instructs his son that lying is wrong. But, when the son strays from what he has been taught and lies, what does the dad do? He corrects him, pointing out the misbehavior and even administering punishment. Over the years, as the father patiently bides with his son and continues instruction and correction, the son develops the personal conviction that lying is wrong.

This process of instruction, correction and personal conviction is a biblical process. It is easy to see this development in the Old Testament. First, God provides instruction for his people. In Exodus 20 God provides instruction through the Ten Commandments. These commandments are not just impersonal orders to force certain behavior. The purpose is to instruct the people in how to live in covenant relationship with God. The ultimate goal of these and the other commands of God are to penetrate the hearts of the people and become a personal conviction for them. And, eventually it does. When Moses confirms the covenant with the people they cry out, "Everything the Lord has said we will do." (Exodus 24:3). But, conviction does not come without correction or rebuke. Numerous Old Testament passages offer warning and threat of correction should the people violate the terms of the covenant (Psalm 50:8-22; Hosea 4:4; Micah 6:2; Isaiah 1:18f.).

Even though correction or rebuke itself is not bad, that does not mean rebuke is easy! Jesus describes the process of rebuking someone in Luke 17:3: "If your brother sins, rebuke him ..." Rebuke here means to, "Overcome with a powerful word."1 A brother who errs is to have his sin pointed out to him. The situation may even call for a "powerful word" to be directed at him. If you have ever been on either side of that "powerful word," you know it is not a pleasant experience! But, it can be a soul-saving experience! "Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).

There is a lot about rebuke in Proverbs. The following points can be made.

One, genuine rebuke is for our good.

Proverbs 3:11-12 says, "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

Genuine rebuke is offered in love and kindness. But, some people hurt others with their rebuke. It is not their correction, but their attitude. They mean to hurt. They, "have one on you." Rebuke under such an attitude is not rebuke; it is vengeance. Don’t confuse dumping personal venom on someone with genuine rebuke, whether you are on the giving or receiving end of it.
Also, some people hurt others with their rebuke by their approach. Maybe they do it in public when it should be private. Some rebuke can be public, as in the case of Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8). But, generally, rebuke should be initiated as a private matter: "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you" (Matt. 18:15). Only after private attempts fail should a rebuke become public (Matt. 18:16-17).

Rebuke, done with a proper attitude and approach, is intended by God for our good. Consider these verses:
- He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Prov. 15:31)
- Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. (Prov. 27:5,6)

Secondly, our response to rebuke reveals the content of our heart and the depth of our discernment.

People with a healthy level of discernment may not WELCOME rebuke, but they will be open to it. They will have trained themselves over time to not react to rebuke with immediate defensiveness and denial. They will listen to what is said to them and will calmly contemplate it.

Benjamin Franklin knew the value of rebuke. He reportedly said, "Love your enemies, they tell you your faults." Even enemies have the potential to reveal to us unsavory aspects of our personalities and character. They may be intending to belittle and demean us; but that does not detract from the potential truth of their statements. If we can maintain a depth of discernment and process the pain of the "enemies" attack on us, we may gain some new insights into how others perceive us.

If our hearts are tuned for wisdom, and we can practice discernment, we can maintain an openness to the rebuke that comes our way.
A wise son heeds his father's instruction ... (Prov. 13:1)
He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Prov. 15:31)
A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. (Prov. 17:10)
Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke a discerning man, and he will gain knowledge. (Prov. 19:25)

People lacking discernment will scorn rebuke.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. (Prov. 9:7-8)
...A mocker does not listen to rebuke. (Prov. 13:1)
A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed - without remedy. (Prov. 29:1)

Thirdly, genuine rebuke can make the wise even wiser.

My son, Wes, and his friend, Zach, used to work for an oil company during the summer. One day they were sent to the field by a supervisor to work on a piping project. The owner of the company, Rick, was driving around checking on some of his work sites. He saw the boys and stopped to see what they were doing. He attempted to show them how to perform their task. Wes and Zach explained to Rick that the supervisor had shown them a new and better way to do the job. Rick said, "Well, go to it then" and left them. Both boys were impressed that the owner of the company acquiesced to their explanation of why they were doing it differently than the boss suggested. When I talked to Rick about this he said, "What has made my business successful is that I hire key people who can do the job even better than I can." That is wisdom. It is also humility.

- My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Prov. 3:11-12).
- He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. (Prov. 15:31)
- Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. (Prov. 25:12)

Rebuke IS NOT pleasant. But it has the potential for great blessing in our lives. If you are rebuked, be open hearted and open minded enough to at least consider the possible truthfulness of the rebuke. If you have to rebuke someone, do it gently and kindly, making it as palatable as possible for the other person to swallow. Remember, the objective of rebuke is to increase the wisdom of the one being rebuked, and to turn their heart toward God. We’ll have more on rebuking tomorrow on power for today.

The wisdom Solomon is concerned with is skill at functioning well in relationships: relationships with oneself, with family and with neighbors and coworkers. Such skill in relationships is wisdom. This kind of wisdom does not come in private study or reflection. It comes through interaction with others, from learning from our teachers and mentors and from gaining insight into relationship and character faux pas from those who care to rebuke us. The wise are open to and benefit from wisdom.

Finally, those who are rebuked can be closer to God.
- If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. (Prov. 1:23)

Children who are disciplined by their parents grow up loving and respecting their parents. The discipline provided by their parents - both instructive and corrective discipline - provides parameters of behavior and security. A healthy, loving discipline communicates love and concern. Children who are not disciplined, who have almost unlimited freedom in their behavior and choices, often feel unloved. I have heard teens say, "I wish my parents would give me a curfew ... I wish my parents would tell me I could not date that boy ... I wish my parents cared about where I went at night." Discipline communicates love from parent to child. It does with God to us, too.

"... My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? (Heb. 12:5b-7).

"We have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Heb. 12:9-11)

How do we know if a particular hardship we are suffering is merely a hardship or is a rebuke or discipline from God? Trying to sort through that question can be a daunting task! I have learned to regard ALL hardship as a rebuke from God. A strained relationship, embarrassment from a word rashly or harshly spoken, even criticism received (whether deserved or undeserved) can all be perceived as rebukes from God.

Viewing all hardship or hurt as a rebuke from God serves two purposes for me. One, it allows me to process the hurt rather than to allow the bad feelings to fester and lead to resentment. That spirit works against wisdom. Two, it allows me to be open to what God may be trying to teach me about myself. Very early in Proverbs Solomon urged us to keep an open heart and mind to how God is wanting to work in our lives through the rebuke that comes our way: "If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you." (Prov. 1:23).

Warren Baldwin

Notes:

1.H. Giesen, "Eπιτιμάω" in Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991), p.42).