High Places Pt 8. “I tried smacking and it doesn’t work.”
So, you’ve smacked your child and had no good result from it. The conclusion you have come to is that ‘it doesn’t work’.
To me, that smacks of an arrogance that says “I know better than God”. The belief that smacking doesn’t work has become a High Place in many people’s minds as it sets itself against what God tells us.
Once a person has made the decision that ‘smacking doesn’t work’, they embrace other methods of disciplining their children.
The trouble is, God doesn’t say, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child and depriving him of privileges“, or “”… sending him to his room…”, or “… giving him a tongue lashing … will drive it far from him“.
Nor does God say that, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child and the rod will drive it far from him”. Hear that again. God doesn’t say that, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child and the rod will drive it far from him.” “It’s “the rod of correction” that God says drives away foolishness from the heart.
Is there really a distinction?
Is it important?
The Hebrew word used for ‘rod’ in Proverbs is nearly always one that means a ‘stick’. That stick has any one of several applications. It could be used in many ways, such as an aid in walking, as a symbol of authority or rulership (the sceptre), as a writing tool, as a weapon, or as an implement of punishment.
Context will be the thing that determines exactly what kind of rod is being spoken of. Clearly, any reference to disciplining of children is speaking of the rod as an implement of punishment.
So what is the ‘Rod of Correction’?
The Bible speaks of several types of rods. There are, among others, the rod of pride, the rod of anger, and the rod of correction. Parents tend to use the rod in pride, anger or frustration.
No wonder they say it doesn’t work!
No wonder the rod has gained a name as being an instrument of abuse!
However, when it is used as an instrument to lovingly correct, then it does work in the way God designed it to work.
1. The rod of pride.
Proverbs 14:3 says, “In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”
When we discipline our children, we must do it in Godly wisdom, but many times, it is done out of a sense of frustration or hurt pride. This is one reason we don’t get the expected results.
2. The rod of anger
Proverbs 22:8 says, “He that sows iniquity shall reap vanity, and the rod of his anger shall fail.”
Disciplining in anger is a sure-fire way of failing. Not only that, but in the process you ‘sow iniquity’, which is to perpetrate evil and injustice against your child, and the only thing you can expect from this is ‘vanity’, which is trouble and sorrow.
3. The rod of correction
Proverbs 22:15 says, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction drives it far from him.”
This kind of rod is the one that will succeed! God says he disciplines us because He loves us. The rod of correction is one wielded out of the same motivation - love for our child. It is applied because you want the best for the child - not because you are frustrated, or because your pride has been damaged, or because you are venting your anger.
God goes so far as to say, “He that spares his rod hates his son. He that loves his son chastens him quickly.” Prov 13:24. In our new age sensitive culture, that is an offence. Most of us who never use the rod would protest, adamantly declaring our love for our child. When we do this, we miss the point.
Do you want your child to be wise? Then demonstrate your love for your child by using the rod of correction to drive foolishness from his heart. Prov 22:15
Do you want your child to honour God and to be saved? Use the rod of correction and in so doing you will ‘deliver his soul from hell’. (Prov 23:14) Your obedience demonstrates that you fear and honour God, and also demonstrates your love for your child in that you want the best for him no matter what the cost to you,
Do you want a child that has a peaceable and restful spirit, thereby giving you peace and rest? Then use the rod of correction to discipline your child in a Godly manner. Prov 29:17 says, “Correct your son and he shall give you rest. Yes, he shall delight your soul.”
The word ‘correct’ here includes the sense of corporal punishment with the stick as well as correction with words.
In keeping with this, Proverbs 29:15 says, “The rod AND reproof give wisdom …..”
The topic for today is about the use of the rod, so I’m not going to speak about reproof here. Just take note though that reproof goes hand in hand with the use of the rod in the process of correct Godly discipline.
So, does the rod work? Absolutely yes. If you have determined that it doesn’t work, then please take the time to think through this issue again. If you listen, take heed and act on what God says, the desired results will come.