"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish." Proverbs 12:1

This verse repeats a familiar theme in Proverbs. Those who value instruction become wise. Those who hate instruction are fools. The word brutish refers to the stupidity inherent to cattle. Solomon certainly does not mince words, does he? This is a very straightforward statement, impossible to misunderstand. So why does it need to be repeated so often? The answer is that we are stupid by nature, and life is a continuous battle. David, who professed his undying love for God’s wisdom in Psalm 119, also prayed this prayer, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in the way.(Psalm 119:37,38) David understood well that unless the grace of God turned his heart and eyes away from stupid, vain things, David would always choose them over God’s law. He understood the need for daily revival and light that could only come from God. It would never come from David. It is the same with you and me. Every single day, no matter how well we understand in theory that God’s wisdom is preferable to stupidity, we will always manifest our inherent brutishness outside of the help of God. How sincerely have you sought God’s grace this morning?