Responding to Reproof

“Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.”  Job 40:3-5

Because Job’s response to the Lord’s reproof in the previous two chapters was one of humility, God continued to speak to Job:

“Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,”  Job 40:6

When our response to reproof is one of pride by exhibiting anger, self-righteousness, etc., we are forfeiting further instruction from God. Our spiritual growth will be at a standstill until we humble ourselves and accept what the Lord desires to teach us. Matthew Henry’s comments on this passage include:

“Those who profit by what they hear from God shall hear more from Him.”

As painful as it may be at times, we must respond to the Lord’s reproof with the teachable spirit of humility if we desire to continue growing.

“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.”  Proverbs 9:8,9

~ Rachel ~