Proverbs 24:25
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But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.
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Solomon had just condemned justifying or flattering the wicked; and he warned that good men and nations would curse such weak compromisers (24:23-24). In contrast, here he encouraged men to rebuke the wicked and receive the delight and blessing of God and men. It is the holy duty of righteous men to judge righteously and rebuke the wicked.
The proverb is primarily for rulers, as Solomon the king addressed his son, the future king (24:21-24). Great rulers must govern justly, which includes rebuking sin wherever they find it (16:12; 20:8, 26). It is a travesty of our generation that rulers compromise so often with wickedness. Jesus Christ is the only perfect ruler (Heb 1:9; Rev 19:15).
But the proverb also applies to all good men, especially in their offices of leadership; for righteous men have a duty to rebuke sin and warn unruly men. Allowing any you know or meet to continue in sin without a rebuke is an act of hatred (Lev 19:17).
If righteous men do not correct or rebuke, how shall fools be instructed or saints perfected? Without their correction or rebuke, how shall the wicked be restrained? The saints have a duty to live and speak in such as way as to reprove evil (Eph 5:11).
You are your brother's keeper (Gen 4:9). "Iron sharpeneth iron," Solomon said (27:17). Church members are to warn the unruly, and every church has them (I Thess 5:14). It is by such means that churches grow spiritually (Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19-20).
Of course, the ministers of Christ have the greatest duty and role of rebuking the wicked, whether it be Elihu rebuking the wicked words of Job (Job 32:1-2), or John the Baptist rebuking the unlawful marriage of Herod (Matt 14:3-5). A minister is at war every time he steps in the pulpit - war against the foolish notions of his hearers (II Cor 10:4-6).
They are to lift up their voices like trumpets and show Israel their sins (Is 58:1). The work is so harsh at times that they have been described as hewing people in pieces with their words (Hos 6:5). They are to preach the word, whether the people want to hear it or not (II Tim 4:1-4). And they are to mock any efforts to despise their authority (Tit 2:15).
They must avoid preaching smooth things, which sinful generations crave (Is 30:8-11). The word of God properly preached is a hammer and fire - it breaks in pieces the rocks of stubborn hearers (Jer 23:28-29). The people were astonished at the authority of Jesus Christ, for He rejected the mealy-mouthed compromise of their preachers (Matt 7:28-29).
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