Open First

(Proverbs 27:5 KJV)  Open rebuke is better than secret love.

“Better” (2896a) is a comparison, not an absolute.  It is not the same as best.  Best is a clear winner but better often seems to be hard to determine.  Best is the peak above the mountain range of choices.  Better is when you only have two possibilities. 

What is strange in our thinking is thinking that “rebuke” (8433b) can be looked at in a positive light.  That is the product of our pagan culture and a dominance of sinful attitudes.  We see this in a generation of children that have never been disciplined.  We see it in schools that turn out graduates that know nothing and people wanting jobs but not wanting to work.  We see it in people attending church and being satisfied with a social club that entertains instead of a sanctuary that compels worship.  We see it in avoiding repentance while we are satisfied with celebration. 

So?  We need to grow up and look at things through God’s filters and not the world’s.  We need to seek the right and not be satisfied with just the good.