Bible Study Seattle

“He who fails to use a stick hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.”  Proverbs 13:24

“Doing wrong is firmly tied to the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away from him.”  Proverbs 22:15

“Don’t withhold discipline from a child – if you beat him with a stick, he won’t die!  If you beat him with a stick, you will save him from Sh’ol.”  Proverbs 23:13-14

“He guides me in right paths for the sake of his own name.  Even if I pass through death-dark ravines, I will fear no disaster; for you are with me; your rod and staff reassure me.”  Psalms 23:3-4

We have to assume that the above proverbs discribe a parent who loves their child.  It is not advocating indiscriminate beating.  It is no surprise that those who want to weaken the family are trying to outlaw spanking.  There are already countries in Europe where this is the case.  Notice that David says that YHWH’s rod (& staff) reassure him and comfort him!  No doubt there will be many rods and staffs guiding people when they wake up from death in the Millennium.  Some of those directions will be very reassuring:

“Though Adonai may give you but bread and water,
and not very much of that;
your teacher will no longer hide himself,
but with your own eyes you will see your teacher.
With your ears you will hear a word from behind you:
“This is the way; stay on it,
whether you go to the right or the left.”  Isaiah 30:20-21