The farmer is one who has disowned his former profession of speaking falsely in the name of the Lord (as the previous verses 4-5 make clear). This individual knows his rightful work (verse 5). If he has suffered beatings (e.g. for having spoken falsely in the past), then he now sees this as a good and positive thing. Everything has been washed and cleansed and all has changed (verse 1), including the attitudes of former false prophets. This former soothsayer has a renewed attitude, especially with regard to the punishment and correction he has received. He knows that "faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy" (Prov 27:6). He knows that to be stricken by a righteous man "is a kindness" and likens it to an anointing (Psa 141:5). He knows also that "blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being (Pro 20:30)."
Richard
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