The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom—Solomon’s admonitions and encouragements for his son. One literary trick this sage king employed to help make his point was anthropomorphism, or the attributing of human characteristics to non-human entities. Wisdom is often personified in the book of Proverbs, addressing both the foolish and the wise.
In one of Wisdom’s anthropomorphic monologues, she counsels those seeking understanding in Proverbs 9:8-9: “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”
Presumably, one goal in reading Proverbs is to obtain wisdom, and according to Wisdom herself, one of the characteristics of a wise man is that he loves those rebuke him.
Who can honestly say that they enjoy being rebuked? My hand doesn’t exactly shoot up in positive response; my pride will not allow me to relish being told that I’m wrong. But if I desire to be counted wise, I have to love those who attempt to help me through correction.
Pastor Trieber often asks the question, “Who can correct you?” If my answer is No one! I don’t need to be corrected! then I fall into the “scorner” category. It is when I can love those who rebuke me that I know I am on my way towards becoming wise.
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Lauren Morris, GSBC Professor
Mrs. Lauren Morris is a graduate of North Valley Baptist Schools and Golden State Baptist College. She is an integral faculty member of her college alma mater and is responsible for training the next generation in the subjects of English, education, and music. Mrs. Morris is also heavily involved in the music ministry of North Valley Baptist Church and has been faithfully serving on staff for many years.
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