Weekly Proverb 21

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.

Aberystwyth

We've headed up to Aber. Problems on the M4 meant that we came via Gloucester and Ross on Wye. It all seems to be drying up lovely now. We called in to Cwmbran to see my dad and niece. Sunshine all the way. Today we went over to see Eleri's cousin and her five children, over from America. Her USAF husband is serving in Iraq at present.

My parents-in-law are out all day - Geoff visiting a man on day release from prison and Iola at the funeral of her former pastor Elwyn Davies, a man used by God in the establishment of the EMW. Below is a notice I found posted on Alan Davey's blog last Monday.

It is with sadness and a sense of loss that the Evangelical Movement of Wales announce the death of the Revd. J Elwyn Davies after a long illness. He was one of the chief founders of the Movement, leading the work as its General Secretary for over thirty years.Following the Second World War a number of Welsh men and women – some of them students – were converted. This group of new converts from all over Wales came together. Meetings, missions and retreats were organized, with Revd J Elwyn Davies taking a leading role. All the activity testified to their evangelical faith, rooted in personal experience and a sure belief in theefficacy of Christ's death. Unknown to Elwyn and his fellow believers, the foundations of the Evangelical Movement of Wales were being formed, with evangelical Welsh Christians, old and new, coming together across traditional denominational barriers.Over the next months the Cylchgrawn Efengylaidd (Evangelical Magazine) was established and Elwyn and his friends became known as 'Pobl y Cylchgrawn' (The Magazine People). With the blessing they were experiencing came not just enthusiasm but also a more formal structure, and in 1955 Elwyn Davies was appointed as the General Secretary of the Evangelical Movement of Wales.With other members of staff appointed from 1956 onwards, the work grew with the publication of an English language periodical, The Evangelical Magazine of Wales. While he was General Secretary, Elwyn saw the formation of the AECW which sought to link together evangelical churches in Wales. From being a Welsh language work the Movement grew to become a bilingual organisation, arranging camps and publishing literature. Elwyn Davies was also instrumental in assisting dozens of ministers and religious leaders in Wales and beyond. By his preaching, his personal conversations and gentle character he became a friend, a teacher and mentor to numerous people. His particular burden was to see God's people sharing and being united in the traditional Biblical faith of Wales.

He laboured tirelessly during his long lifetime, emphasising that Wales – which he loved dearly – had its unique spiritual features and needs. In his preaching, teaching the Bible, or writing a pamphlet or booklet that love for Wales was always to be seen. He worked without ceasing for God and for Wales. His great desire was that the country he loved so dearly would be reconciled to the Christ whom he loved even more.He accomplished so much during his lifetime. He was a Congregational minister in Blaenau Ffestiniog (1950–55), and worked for the IVF (UCCF) between 1955 and 1962, a part time minister at Seion, Cwmafan at a later date, the President of the British Evangelical Council (1969–72) and a part time minister of an English Evangelical Church (now known as Free School Court) in Bridgend. All of this and more whilst heading the work of the Evangelical Movement of Wales (1955–1990), and finding time to minister for short periods in Australia and Patagonia.

Elwyn was ably assisted by his wife, Mair Humphreys, whom he married in 1951. They complemented each other perfectly, and they were glad to be able to spend more time together when he retired as General Secretary in 1990. During these last years of weakness Elwyn relied heavily on Mair's support and that of the extended family. We extend our deepest sympathy to her and the six children and their families. We thank God for the hope of the Gospel which speaks of a heavenly home 'not made with hands', and thank God that Elwyn has reached that home.

Family life

It's half term and we've just said goodbye to Eleri's sister and family as they continue their round trip from Cardiff via Wiltshire and London and back to Wales. They have three kids, a little younger than ours and the eight cousins get on really well. They've been bouncing on our new trampoline, watching videos, looking round Hamley's toyshop, etc. Yesterday Glyn and I went to hear Andrew Davies up at the john Owen Centre on preaching the cross. About 30 gathered. We were only able to be present for the morning session when Mr D gave a very full and well thought out paper on understanding the meaning of the cross. Inevitably he had to take cognisance of the various errors and heresies floating around at present. His emphasis, however, was on preserving the mystery of the cross and seeing penal substitution as the key model. He also had an interesting and helpful section on keeping the cross central in our systematic and biblical theology. The cross is good news and it must be preached as good news. It would have been good to sty for the more practical seminar that followed in the afternoon but though Glyn and I have generous, understanding wives one can only push these things so far.

I did take opportunity to get a copy of Philip Eveson's new book a commentary on Leviticus, which he kindly signed for me. The book is dedicated to all LTS students past and present so we should be reading it.

This morning has been very relaxing - pancakes for breakfast a couple of birthday celebrations and a lovely sandwich lunch. Family life is good.

Psalm 68:6

God sets the lonely in families

Close observers may recognise this as another of my old Porthcawl pictures. This is me with my wonderful mother. Walking home tonight with my ipod on I was thinking about her and feeling rather sad as she died several years ago.

Anyway as I came round the corner my 17 year old was coming in the opposite direction. We removed an earpiece each and smiled and I told him what I'd been thinking and admonished him to appreciate his mother while he had her (and his dad!). A little further on I saw our car turn into our street and as I arrived home my wife and three other sons were just heading into the house. An obvious caution against dwelling on the past, I think, and a reminder to be thankful for what you've got. Slightly sentimental yes but practical too.