Proverbs 23:13
|
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.
|
Corporal punishment for children is a mandate from heaven. It is not an option, suggestion, or theory. Its purpose is simple - save children from unnecessary death. Any person debating or opposing this mandate is an accomplice in child murder, for he is rejecting the best means of saving children's lives! Let God be true, but every man a liar!
The correction described here is corporal punishment of children, for it is the use of a rod on children. Our grandparents understood it well, for spanking was obvious to their sober minds. The rod had much to do with the former greatness of America and the tranquility of its society. Let the Britannica Encyclopedia (14th Edition) comfort the feebleminded:
The instruction from God and Solomon is not to withhold this form of correction from children. It must be administered to save their lives, and it should be done early (13:24; 19:18). It is the mark of true love (3:12; 13:24), for parents with a great desire for their children's futures will want to drive the foolishness out of their hearts (22:15; 29:15,17).
Parents rejecting the rod hate their children and cause them harm. Any sentimental drivel is irrelevant, for their actions prove disregard for their children's future. Sober obedience to authority saves lives; but grounding them or withholding an allowance will not train it.
How can children die? A thousand ways! Suicide is self-murder by unruled emotion! Undisciplined children disobey speed limits, drug laws, gun laws, and police authority. They flaunt anger, envy, and pride, which can cause fatal conflicts. Undisciplined children violate marital and other sacred trusts, which can bring murder or public execution. Of course, Solomon wrote under a government practicing capital punishment!
But there are other ways to die. Some jobs are dead end, because an untrained child never learned to obey authority and get along with others. Some marriages are dead, because the child's inherent selfishness destroyed their spouse. Other relationships can die as well (Luke 15:24). A soul can practically die from pain and trouble caused by his foolishness.
Corporal punishment consistently and lovingly administered will prevent these different ways people die. Turning a person back to truth saves a soul from death and hides a multitude of sins (Jas 5:19-20). God has spoken; this issue is not debatable (Ps 119:128).
FLOGGING has been one of the most universally utilized methods of punishing public crimes, as well as a means of preserving family, domestic, military and academic discipline.
www.letgodbetrue.com
