THE ROD OF CORRECTION

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him (Proverbs 22:15).  Every child receives one form of punishment or the other for being stubborn or for any wrong doing. The Bible makes it clear that foolishness is part of every child, in fact, inside a child’s heart. So do not be surprised to see it manifest in your child.

Once it is there, God says it takes only one thing to get it out, and that is the rod of correction. This rod has been misinterpreted to be the whip or cane.   Even though it is included in the list of rods, it is the least helpful because children who are frequently whipped get used to it and no longer develop any fear for it.

"For those who feel nostalgic longing for the 'good old days' where children were quick to obey and parents were strict: please remember, it was that kind of parenting that created the world we live in today. It is time for kinder, gentler, more biblical parenting."

I remember one brunch time I came home from school –then in class six, to pick my home work during break time, because the school was located close to the house. On entering the dinning room I saw my father’s food flask sitting innocently on the table. I curiously opened it and to my dismay found cooked oats filled with sugar and milk with scrambled eggs and toasted bread. I knew he had forgotten to take it to the office as he usually did. In order not to go waste, I decided to hide it and come later to do justice to it.  Not later had I gone back to school than my father sent his office clerk to pick up his food. He went back in disappointment to tell him he couldn’t find the food.

Back home at night, I sneaked into the sitting room, coiled myself behind the long settee and pretended to be asleep. In fact sleep eluded me because I could see rays of torch light moving to and fro the room.  Only Heaven knew what would have happened to me had those rays of light found me.

"When you hear the word from this passage of 'rod,' what do you think of? Perhaps a stick for beating and brutalizing, right? But what happens - what happens when we understand the rod in this Proverb as the same kind of rod and staff that comfort in Psalm 23? 'Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' The rod and staff are the shepherd's tools for comforting the sheep. It is for caring and protecting, never for beating them to death. A good shepherd delights in his flock. The shepherd will go to whatever lengths necessary to provide the finest grazing, the rich pastures and clean water. The shepherd will do whatever is necessary to provide shelter from the storms and protection from enemies and diseases that sheep are susceptible to."

 "Jesus said, 'I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep.' This Good Shepherd's rod and staff comfort the sheep. The rod is thrown out on a path to startle the sheep warning them that they are in danger of wandering into an unsafe place. The shepherd uses the rod to drive off coyotes and wolves. Being stubborn creatures, sheep often get themselves into ridiculous dilemmas, like our children. Children are in need of shepherding like sheep so that they don't stray off into paths that will hurt them or destroy them."

Whichever rod is used on you influences your life one way or the other. What rod do you use on your children?

Remember “Correction and discipline are good for children, if they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them” (Proverbs 29:15)

References:

1. Robert R. Gillogly, "Spanking Hurts Everybody," Theology Today
2. Betty Miller, "Daily Devotional,"
3. Warren Bolton, " 'The Rod' has been spared, but don’t abandon spanking