He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized),
Will suddenly be broken beyond repair. Proverbs 29:1
This is a dangerous place to be. Proverbs tells us that those who receive, embrace and love correction receive honor and wisdom, among other benefits.
God is warning those that reject instruction and correction. That when you harden your neck, what you’re doing is hardening your heart to receive. And when you do that, the King James Version says you “shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy”. Destruction awaits you, with no hope for a remedy. Ouch.
Embrace God’s reproof. Embrace correction and criticism from others who have your interests at heart.
A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back. Proverbs 29:11
Fool can also mean “arrogant one”. Arrogant means haughty. So, the arrogant (or haughty) man always loses his temper and displays his anger. Proverbs 16:18 “a haughty spirit [goes] before a fall (calamity)”
James 1 says that human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. So there you have it. The wise man displays self-control, even when there’s an opportunity to be angry.
The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom,
But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. Proverbs 29:15
Discipline and godly instruction imparts wisdom to your children. It reminds me of Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me“. There is comfort in knowing that God is directing, is guiding me, that His discipline is for my benefit (Hebrews 12:6).
Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]. Proverbs 29:18
Unrestrained, or lack of restraint, means to act without control or discipline, often turning to impulses or desires of the flesh. Vision, or revelation, comes from God. It comes from seeking relationship with Him, listening to what He has to say, and actually doing it. So, the lack of intimate relationship with God, leads to no revelation, no vision, and the result is a life of unrestraint. Other versions say “where there is no vision, the people perish”.
The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe. Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man. One of the biggest fears most men have. The fear of what others think of them. People pleasers, avoiders, those that compromise their beliefs and convictions, those that remain silent. All because they fear what others will think or say about them. A snare is a trap. It’s the enemy setting the bait. When we fear man, we take the enemy’s bait. But whoever fears not man, but instead trusts and puts his confidence in what the Lord thinks and says, he will be exalted and kept safe.