Reproof Accepted

Background Scripture: Nehemiah 5
Lesson Scripture: Nehemiah 5:1-13

Introduction

Reproof suggests the reviewing of behavior, action, or attitude with the intent of bringing about greater sanctification. Among believers, such correction is unto salvation, not to merely bring about compliance with someone’s wish. “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Cor. 11:32).

When reproof is accepted, and the erroneous way is corrected, peace with God is restored. Fellowship and unity are renewed, and as Jesus taught, we have gained our brother (Matt. 18:15).

Key Verse

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them (Jonah 3:5).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Upon receiving news about the state of his homeland, Nehemiah’s love for his people and native country gave him a burden for the welfare of his brethren. With a prayerful heart he accepted the burden of service he was called to. He was moved into action and left his honored position in the palace of the king to toil in the rubble at Jerusalem.

During this toil, Nehemiah heard a cry. It seems that his willingness to be one with his countrymen in their distressing situation opened the door for them to share their troubles with him.

Nehemiah was moved by their cry and pondered the cause. The outward oppression of unkind neighbors was obvious, and the remedy was uncomplicated—rebuild the wall for protection. The oppression from within the Jewish nation was much more subtle. In the name of good business, the circle of wealthy Jews became apathetic to the chilly hand of poverty that was gripping their needy brothers. Contrary to the law, money for the basic daily sustenance was being lent upon usury. Crops had failed, and tribute money was due. Lands, in turn, were being held as security on debts, and eventually children were being sold into servitude. It was happening to the point of the poor losing everything they owned and becoming slaves to the rich. This may have seemed just about as bad as being captive in a foreign land. Such blatant disobedience to the law (Lev. 25:35-43) did not require lengthy deliberations to be resolved. Nehemiah gathered the people and directed his reproof to the nobles and rulers. He was clear that this reproof was based on the law given by God. They came together in an assembly so all could hear the reproof.

In giving the law, God held forth his desire for equality among his people. “Part of the reason why God established the Jubilee Year was to prevent the Israelites from oppressing one another (Lev. 25:17). One effect of the Jubilee Year was to prevent a permanent system of economic classes. The Jubilee Year had a leveling effect on Israel’s culture; it gave everyone a chance to start over, economically and socially.” 1 It had been some 150 years since Israel had been taken to Babylon, equivalent to three series of the Year of Jubilee. It is not known how long before going into captivity the Year of Jubilee had been neglected.

As the walls were being repaired, a renewed awareness of God’s will also begin to dawn on the Jewish nation. This caused the people to agree to do right and restore what they had been holding or charging illegitimately. This was a time of renewal for God’s people.

Practical Truths for Today

The prophecy in Jeremiah 31:34 and its fulfillment in 1 John 2:27 teach us that in the gospel era, believers have a relationship with God that enlightens their understanding. This stands in contrast to the era of the law when the details for godly living needed to be spelled out. However, claiming to have the Holy Spirit’s inner guidance with an exclusive, independent understanding of God’s will is an error and is a misunderstanding of this prophecy and its fulfillment. To discount the direction of fellow believers is not in harmony with the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. The New Testament is sprinkled with teachings of how we need one another. Matthew 18:15 indicates that believers can trespass against each other. Galatians 6:1 infers that a brother can be overtaken in a fault. And James 3:17 points out that believers with godly wisdom will be approachable, suggesting that at times we need to be admonished by our brethren.

Reproof is the first step of discipline in the church of God. It is rooted in the brotherly care we have one for another. “Do you promise to love the brotherhood, and to exercise care and concern for the spiritual welfare of your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, and to accept the same from them? Are you willing to reprove your spiritual brethren when you see them do wrong, and are you also willing to accept reproof from them?” This is the vow at the time of our baptism. If the practice of this vow is neutralized and weakened, it will bring a drift within the church of God and eventually will lead to apostasy.

By our human nature we are prone to judge a situation rather than reprove it. When we judge, we conclude that our understanding or observation of the situation in question is correct. Judging is often influenced by our temperament or life’s experiences and may not be based on love and guided by the Holy Spirit. We can learn from Nehemiah; he toiled beside his brethren and gained an understanding of their situation before offering reproof. When we carefully consider a matter with someone instead of judging them, we go with a question rather than an answer. A brother observed some young Christians doing something questionable and asked, “What I saw looked questionable, but what is the other half of the story?” A short conversation followed, and the matter was satisfactorily reproved.

Matthew 18:15-18 is a model for reproof, teaching us to begin by sharing one-on-one with our trespassing brother. To first gain support for our concern by asking others if they too have observed our brother’s shortfall is not wise. Too soon we have formed an opinion and passed judgment. Now, all that remains is to tell our trespassing brother what his fault is. In this approach, there is little to inspire greater faithfulness and little to draw brethren together.

When we go to our brother as Jesus taught, we are open to the possibility that our concern is groundless. If we find our concern is unfounded, we can rejoice, and the matter in question can be forgotten. If there is basis for our concern, we can look at the matter together and consider the factors that caused him to do what he did. Perhaps he was influenced by peer pressure, blinding him to the need of complete obedience. Maybe an urgent need for money blurred his vision, and material matters were conducted in a reproachful way. It could be in the stress of the moment he became obstinate and consequently disobedient. Offense could have locked him up in its suffocating castle, and he saw only how he had been violated. In these settings, we can extend an invitation to our struggling brother like the Lord does to us all, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land” (Isa. 1:18-19). It takes humility for the ministry of reproof to be fruitful.

When we are reproved, we will likely be tempted to analyze the reprover’s attitude or approach to a point where we feel justified in thinking his admonition ill-advised. Even if we feel like he is coming to “trim our branches,” we should honestly listen. Likely there is some basis for the reproof, even if it feels like criticism. If we fail to understand the reproof, we should ask questions and not just be agreeable. When our actions are in question, it seems only fair to explain our reasons for them. However, at such a time it is not prudent to point out the reprover’s failings and shortcomings. Accepting reproof is part of our baptismal vow as much as giving reproof.

Contrary to the human tendency of feeling like a fool when reproved, we do well to graciously accept the admonition and learn from it. The Bible clearly bears this out in Proverbs 9:8-9: “Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.” Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

Illustration

A Christian brother was visiting with a friend, and the topic turned to politics. The brother shared his opinions to which his friend replied, “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the government.” By the grace of God, he accepted this kind reproof without judging the other man’s walk of life. May we accept reproof from others without scrutinizing their life. God uses a variety of methods to correct us, and we must not despise the means He chooses to use.

Questions

1. What are the characteristics of a wise reprover? (Prov. 25:12).
2. When is it acceptable to dismiss a reproof?
3. What do we learn from a reproof that seems tainted with jealousy or criticism?
4. Should we withhold reproof when we fear it will not be accepted?
5. 1 Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995; s.v. “Jubilee”
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).