PROVERBS 17
11 An evil man seeks only rebellion,
and a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
12 Let a man meet a she-bear robbed of her cubs
rather than a fool in his folly.
13 If anyone returns evil for good,
evil will not depart from his house.
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
– Proverbs 17:11-15
PROVERBS 17 THOSE WHO SEEK REBELLION
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Those who love to go against authority seek rebellion
They do not respect anyone else but themselves alone
Whoever stirs up an insurgence is doing it against the Lord himself
God placed authorities in our lives so we can be accountable to them
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as idols
When we rebel, we are defying God’s laws and dishonoring the Lord.
Solomon described in this proverb that rebellion is an act of an evil person. Romans 13:1-2 says that everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So, anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. Paul continues to explain in verses 4-5 that authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So, you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. So those who don’t submit to authority are rebels.
REFLECTION
- How is rebellion the sin of witchcraft as 1 Samuel 15:23 says?
