Proverbs 13
This chapter has one verse (24) that I find extremely disturbing and unpleasant
"Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."
Critics will pull this verse as "proof" that the church and God condone beating of children - we will get to this and see if the chapter can put this verse into some form of context.
I'm single with no children, so this probably is not going to apply first hand to myself, but I have to admit that this verse is troubling and can seem to condone child abuse.
Abuse is something I do not and will not condone for the record.
Let's look at the rest of the chapter shall we, and see what it actually says.
A wise son heeds his fathers instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
It seems to me that perhaps there is a positive for the children here - in training young children to consider words and actions? Advice a lot of adults could use too.
A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves obnoxious and bring shame on themselves
Perhaps there is a message here - in favour of hard work and diligence - that is not to say that if one is found in a situation where you have no job or money that there is a curse or lack of blessing from God, people find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing, another pretends to be poor yet has great wealth.
It is easy in today's consumer culture in the west to understand this - there are a large number of people who are keen to get their hands on your (and my) money, there are a lot of books explaining how rich people get and keep their money.
Again I would like to point out that not having money is not a sin, neither is having a lot of money. Pretending, or living, a lie is not that clever, be it money, possessions or anything else.
Let's skim the rest of the chapter and see if anything else jumps out
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,but fools expose their folly.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
As we saw before in Leviticus and the books of the law, there is a command to not abuse the widow and orphan along with a requirement to celebrate a sabbath year (where no planting or organised harvesting is carried out) to provide an opportunity for the poor to get some of the riches of the land, see also the book or Ruth
Then we get our troubling verse - the chapter highlights the benefits of honesty and listening to advice - perhaps this is what the verse is getting at?
History has shown us that when there are no moral boundaries justice can become perverted and twisted.
Also common law in the UK and the constitution in the USA set forth certain moral boundaries.
One only has to read the papers or watch TV or radio to hear some of the people who spectacularly fail to pass on morals and discipline and perhaps have failed their children.
This chapter has one verse (24) that I find extremely disturbing and unpleasant
"Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."
Critics will pull this verse as "proof" that the church and God condone beating of children - we will get to this and see if the chapter can put this verse into some form of context.
I'm single with no children, so this probably is not going to apply first hand to myself, but I have to admit that this verse is troubling and can seem to condone child abuse.
Abuse is something I do not and will not condone for the record.
Let's look at the rest of the chapter shall we, and see what it actually says.
A wise son heeds his fathers instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes
From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things, but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
It seems to me that perhaps there is a positive for the children here - in training young children to consider words and actions? Advice a lot of adults could use too.
A sluggard's appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied
The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves obnoxious and bring shame on themselves
Perhaps there is a message here - in favour of hard work and diligence - that is not to say that if one is found in a situation where you have no job or money that there is a curse or lack of blessing from God, people find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own
One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing, another pretends to be poor yet has great wealth.
It is easy in today's consumer culture in the west to understand this - there are a large number of people who are keen to get their hands on your (and my) money, there are a lot of books explaining how rich people get and keep their money.
Again I would like to point out that not having money is not a sin, neither is having a lot of money. Pretending, or living, a lie is not that clever, be it money, possessions or anything else.
Let's skim the rest of the chapter and see if anything else jumps out
A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.
Good judgment wins favor, but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.
All who are prudent act with[b] knowledge,but fools expose their folly.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.
As we saw before in Leviticus and the books of the law, there is a command to not abuse the widow and orphan along with a requirement to celebrate a sabbath year (where no planting or organised harvesting is carried out) to provide an opportunity for the poor to get some of the riches of the land, see also the book or Ruth
Then we get our troubling verse - the chapter highlights the benefits of honesty and listening to advice - perhaps this is what the verse is getting at?
History has shown us that when there are no moral boundaries justice can become perverted and twisted.
Also common law in the UK and the constitution in the USA set forth certain moral boundaries.
One only has to read the papers or watch TV or radio to hear some of the people who spectacularly fail to pass on morals and discipline and perhaps have failed their children.
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