Lessons for parents 29:15, 17 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother ... 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul
Last visited in 23:13, 14 here is a final reminder about corporal punishment for children. When a rod of correction is used, it is imparting wisdom, a helpful thought to have in mind when exercising such discipline. Unlike the last reference, the emphasis in these proverbs is on the benefit to the parents rather than the child. The same is true of 3 where a grown up child is in mind (A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth). This is also to be borne in mind. Simply to leave a child to himself will lead to your disgrace in the end. The mother’s disgrace is highlighted. Discipline is the way to peace, a peace that comes at a price. What a delight it is when a child grows up to be a credit to you. The context points to a wider application for the verses but they apply firstly to parents. Or to put it another way, a well-governed country needs well-governed homes. Proverbs is famous for its commendation of strict discipline. This is the only way to wisdom and success. By nature, we are all foolish and perverse and so strict discipline is vital.
These verses on corporal punishment are not necessarily confined to Proverbs. A little while ago a group of Christian schools were arguing their human right to exercise corporal punishment on the basis that it is a biblical doctrine. A professedly Christian academic countered them in the courts. Dr Lloyd Pietersen said ‘I cannot think of a single New Testament passage that supports the idea of corporal punishment.’ He is aware of Ephesians 6:4, which speaks of bringing up children in the training and instruction or nurture and admonition of the Lord. Apparently, he is unaware of the argument that says that while the latter term refers to what is said to the child, the former refers to what is done to him. The first term could be rendered discipline.
Last visited in 23:13, 14 here is a final reminder about corporal punishment for children. When a rod of correction is used, it is imparting wisdom, a helpful thought to have in mind when exercising such discipline. Unlike the last reference, the emphasis in these proverbs is on the benefit to the parents rather than the child. The same is true of 3 where a grown up child is in mind (A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth). This is also to be borne in mind. Simply to leave a child to himself will lead to your disgrace in the end. The mother’s disgrace is highlighted. Discipline is the way to peace, a peace that comes at a price. What a delight it is when a child grows up to be a credit to you. The context points to a wider application for the verses but they apply firstly to parents. Or to put it another way, a well-governed country needs well-governed homes. Proverbs is famous for its commendation of strict discipline. This is the only way to wisdom and success. By nature, we are all foolish and perverse and so strict discipline is vital.
These verses on corporal punishment are not necessarily confined to Proverbs. A little while ago a group of Christian schools were arguing their human right to exercise corporal punishment on the basis that it is a biblical doctrine. A professedly Christian academic countered them in the courts. Dr Lloyd Pietersen said ‘I cannot think of a single New Testament passage that supports the idea of corporal punishment.’ He is aware of Ephesians 6:4, which speaks of bringing up children in the training and instruction or nurture and admonition of the Lord. Apparently, he is unaware of the argument that says that while the latter term refers to what is said to the child, the former refers to what is done to him. The first term could be rendered discipline.
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