"Let a righteous man strike me - it is kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it." Psalm 141:5
In our generation, we would say that striking anyone for any reason is always a bad idea. And I agree with that.
Then, what in the world could the Bible have in mind when it says "Let" a righteous man strike me - it is kindness? How can striking someone and rebuking someone be kindness?
First of all, the Bible is not advocating violence.
What the Bible is advocating is wisdom. There is so much wisdom that can be learned and gained for those who are younger and less wise from those who are righteous. What better way to learn about how to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is fruitful than to learn it from someone who is righteous and someone who's already been living this life?
I think my generation's issue is that we insist on living life according to our own rules and our own standards. We are so bad about listening to wisdom. We insist on making all our own mistakes. And that is a tragedy. That is so unwise.
What the Bible is trying to teach us is that we can either let life smack us around or we can humble ourselves and let the righteous teach us how best to live life.
What a genuine gift it would be to have the righteous show us when we are wrong and when we have gone off track so that before something tragic can happen, we can make the necessary corrections.
In order for this to happen, we need enough humility to seek such guidance, and secondly enough wisdom to accept such rebuke and correction when it is given in love by the righteous.
So how about it? Ready for some wisdom?
3 comments:
James, this "seeker" continues to read your thoughtful posts. I appreciate that you constistently ask us to expand our thinking and 'question'. What struck me in this particular post was:
In order for this to happen, we need enough humility to seek such guidance, and secondly enough wisdom to accept such rebuke and correction when it is given in love by the righteous.
Keep at it!
heather
james
this post really resonated with me. I appreciate that you continue t oencourage us to ask questions and stretch our thinking. Its what continues to capture this 'seeker'. Not being affiliated with an organized religion, your posts engage my brain and the result is I am consistently thinking about my place as a child of God. So thank you for that. What struck me in this particular post was the following:
In order for this to happen, we need enough humility to seek such guidance, and secondly enough wisdom to accept such rebuke and correction when it is given in love by the righteous.
These words resonated, and variations on this theme have come to me in a many aspects of my life recently.
Thanks for the engaging post(s)
Heather
Heather, thank you for taking the time to read my blogs and also taking the time to post a comment! I appreciate your good words.
Blessings!
We have to get together for coffee and conversation sometime soon.
Post a Comment