Open Rebuke - Proverbs 27:5

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse five of Proverbs Solomon shared about, “open rebuke” where we read,

Open rebuke is better

than secret love.

The verse begins, “Open rebuke is better ...” Solomon began with the words, “open rebuke” or “uncovered, revealed and disclosed correction, reproof and chastisement” “is better” which means “is more pleasant, agreeable, excellent and valuable” compared to the following. Solomon said correction and chastisement that is disclosed is more agreeable and valuable than the following. 

The verse continues, “... than secret love.” Solomon added the word, “than” or “compared to” “secret love” which means “hidden and carefully concealed and absolute human love”. Solomon said reproof that is disclosed exceeds hidden human love. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how uncovered correction is superior to hidden human love. Though it may appear harmful at the time “openly” reproving someone who is going in a wrong direction may help them, and concealing “love” never allows anyone to know the true heart of a person. God openly loves us and reproves us, and because we have sin in our lives, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us the value of receiving and giving “open rebuke” and when to disclose our “secret love”.

Next time Solomon says, “faithful are the wounds of a friend”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".