Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
But he who hates correction is stupid.
Proverbs 12:1
I’ve heard it said that it was no mistake that God gave us two ears but only one mouth. The wise man is more interested in hearing than being heard. I’ve taught my kids since they were little that it wasn’t nice to call people stupid. But there are some, according to God, that are just that! Stupid people, God says, are those that refuse to be corrected. They cannot be taught. They know best, and nothing you say can convince them otherwise!
Uzziah was a good king. According to 2 Ch 26:4, he “did what was right in the sight of the LORD.” It’s shocking as you read his story to find out that he died a leper and that his leprosy was a direct judgment from God! Where did Uzziah drop the ball? How did he veer so far from the right path? V. 16 tells us that “when he was strong his heart was lifted up,” and he decided that he should burn incense in the temple, a right God had granted only to the priests. His pride led him into error, but one thing could have prevented his destruction. If he could have received instruction and correction, his life might have turned out very different. But when the priests faithfully rebuked the king and reminded him of the Lord’s commandment (v. 18), he refused to listen. He refused to be taught.
God can teach us through anyone and anything. He used a donkey to talk to Balaam and got Peter’s attention with a rooster. After Christ cleansed the temple, it wasn’t the aged chief priests and scribes whose lips dispersed knowledge, but it was children that cried, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Mt 21:15) God has not left Himself without witness and reveals Himself even by the rain that falls from the heavens. (Ac 14:17) Above all, in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, (Heb 1:2) and that voice is still heard by His Spirit that reminds us of His words (Jn 14:26). So, here’s the all important question: are we listening? Are we still teachable, or have we gotten too big for our britches to humble ourselves and be a student? Has pride convinced us that we should be the one educating others and not the other way around? The wise man is “swift to hear, slow to speak,” but “a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” (Jm 1:19, Ecc 5:3)
Jamie