Proverbs 12:1, 2 Longing to Learn

Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. Proverbs 12:1, 2

Loves: an appetite 

Instruction: discipline, chastening, correction

Knowledge: discernment, understanding, wisdom

Hates: enemy, detest

Correction: reproof, chiding, chastisement

Stupid: brutish person, foolish, dull-hearted, unreceptive

Good: agreeable; makes the heart glad

Obtains: to secure

Favor: delight, desire, good pleasure

Wicked: lewdness, mischievous device, thought

Condemn: declare wrong, as guilty, in ethical and religious relations

This word, "appetite" is back! (See the post for Proverbs 11:23, Dec 3, 2015.) 

Appetite. I really could go for a good brownie with nuts right now! That sounds so good. However, this verse isn't talking about an appetite for food. Rather, it's talking about instruction and wisdom. 

An appetite for instruction, correction, discernment and understanding? Yes. An appetite, a longing, a desire for learning wisdom. 

We our appetite is strong enough, we will go out of our way to get that meal or treat we are craving. Our appetite for wisdom should be that strong. We should crave wisdom and instruction. We should wake up each day with a longing to learn! 

That longing to learn then will translate into our conduct — and our lives will radiate goodness. And that secures delight with God. Now, doing good and learning wisdom, DO NOT erase sin, nor is that how we get into Heaven. Doing good is not enough to forgive our sins. God is Holy and our sin must be paid for—in full. And doing good is not enough. Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins—in full. When you place your trust in Christ and accept Him as Lord an Savior, then and only then will you be able to enter Heaven. (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13)

Doing good and learning wisdom, simply is our way of honoring and respecting God. When God is recognized as LORD—than a longing to learn and live a life agreeable to His will and wisdom is the result. 

Longing to learn begins when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG). 

Am I longing to learn wisdom? Is my conduct a reflection of that appetite? 

Proverbs 3:11, 12: Accept the Discipline

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction;

For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11, 12

Despise: reject, refuse

Chastening: discipline, more severely, chastisement of Yahweh

Detest: feel a loathing at, abhor, sickening dread

Correction: reproof, chiding

Loves: divine love to individual

Corrects: rebuke of God

Father the son: owing reverence, obedience, etc. to parents

Delights: be pleased with, favorable to

Do not. Nor. Neither. Do not do it! It's going to happen—simply because as sinners we will need discipline and correction. So, when it happens, do not refuse or reject it, don't approach it with a sickening dread. Rather accept the discipline and learn and put into practice what is learned so that you don't repeat it in the future. 

And remember the underlining and foundation for the discipline is true divine love. God wants us to learn, and grow, and live a life of peaceful refreshment (Proverbs 3:8).

We often get mad that the Lord disciplines us. But don't we get upset when we see a child misbehaving in the store and the parents ignore it or simply reward the bad behavior? Yet, that's what we expect when we do something wrong, we want the Lord God to ignore it or reward us. Yet, that is not how true love responds. True love will discipline and correct, knowing that there is something better when there is obedience. 

Do not. Nor. Neither. Do not do it! Accept the discipline and learn and grow from it. But that can only take place when a heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG).