Proverbs Day 17

Proverbs 17:10

A quiet rebuke to a person of good sense
does more than a whack on the head of a fool.

(The Message)

Last night I was just getting into the checkout lane at a store when I noticed a man yelling at the woman he was with in arabic. He was really making a scene and I felt pain in my heart for her. Most everyone around them was trying not to notice, but there was an older man nearby in a wheelchair that wasn't going to ignore it. He yelled to the man in this deep husky voice, "Stop yelling at her that way!"

Well, that was all this man needed to hear and he puffed up his chest and started spouting back and forth with the older man. Then he went charging over toward the older man and told him in no uncertain terms that this is his wife and he can speak however he likes to her. The older man, however, kept on telling him he needed to calm down and stop being mean to her and finally said, "you don't deserve a good wife like her." As you can imagine, this only incensed the man more and I thought the angry man was going to lose it.

As I stood in the next line, I glanced at the woman and could see a slight smile behind her empty, sad eyes as she kept her back to the tirade. It was as if she appreciated that someone stood up for her. Not knowing her or her husband, I can't say with certainty, but I feared what might happen to her at home. Is he a physical abuser or just verbal? I don't know, but his actions and body language in the store seemed to indicate a strong possibility. Being confronted like that in public could prompt an abuser to take it out on her.

My heart grieved and I started shaking as I stood there for what seemed like an eternity. The whole time this is going on and I'm making these observations, I kept pleading the blood of Jesus quietly. I knew He was there and did not allow this heated situation to become violent. All the way to the car, I felt my heart go out to her. I kept praying, Lord, please don't let him hurt her. Once in the car, I prayed for her safety and that God would send His angels to supernaturally shield her from every evil attack, whether verbal or physical, and if necessary that He would give her a way of escape. She probably does not know Jesus, but He definitely knows her and He cares enough for her to place someone beside her in that very moment to intercede on her behalf. I prayed that God would order her steps directly to Him.

My thoughts on this situation: The older man did a noble thing by interrupting the abusive behavior in public. I believe he meant well and spoke out because his heart was moved for the woman. That is brave and commendable. The problem I saw was that he said several things to the angry man to only anger him more, which, in the end could be very detrimental for the woman having to go home with this man in a rage. It proves the truth of this proverb, that you can't whack a fool on the head and expect him to straighten up because that's only going to make him worse. You can't reason with foolishness.

It is a dangerous thing to confront out of control people. We have to be very careful when we choose to step into a ring with a bulldog. The best thing to do is quietly rebuke, and if that doesn't produce any results, you have to draw the spiritual sword instead, which is much more powerful anyway. I believe in my heart that God honored my fervent prayer over that woman.

The whole event kind of shook me up a little. I really thought I was about to witness real violence if things didn't settle down quickly. But I'm glad I was there. For her. God sees her and He needed someone to cover her in prayer. I am grateful He chose me. I am continuing to pray for her and I look forward to meeting her in Heaven someday. She's chosen and God will find a way to introduce her to Jesus. I just know it.