It was obvious to Solomon.
People who want wisdom are willing to pay the price to get it - because they “love” it. There is even a willingness, by some, to be disciplined, if necessary, to obtain wisdom.
People who “hate correction” or discipline, on the other hand, are considered “stupid.”
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid,” wrote Solomon. There is a price to be paid for everything: even knowledge. In this verse, the author uses two interesting words to describe the attitude of one who wants “knowledge” or one who is content to be “stupid” - love and hate. Here, however, they are not connected to an emotional state. They focus on the priorities of an individual. If a person wants knowledge, it must be a lifelong priority. If a person wants to be stupid, the only requirement is to refuse to learn or be corrected.
Knowledge and wisdom have very similar meanings in the Bible. In fact, they are almost synonymous, life-giving, life-sustaining, life-enhancing, and require one thing in common: the person who wants them, must at all costs, embrace “discipline.” To “get” one, “wisdom,” we must endure the other, “discipline.” In other words if I want to be wise, I must accept discipline.
Interestingly, the word “stupid” is found five times in the Old Testament. It is used to portray a dense, dumb animal as well as a man who is unkind and runs roughshod over people.
To refuse discipline, then, lowers the status of a person. To accept discipline opens the door to successful living.
Prayer: How blest we are, Father, for the opportunities You give us to achieve great things. Help us to persevere. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.
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