BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 11j) THE SHEPHERDING FATHER USES THE ROD WITH DISCRETION.

No one has peace, rest, or comfort where the rod is not applied to the "seat of learning." The so-called better ways have failed us as a nation. Men, there is obviously a big difference in the use of the rod in the discipline of the lost, helpless, and unintelligent sheep and the use of the rod in the discipline of intelligent, rebellious children who are of a much higher level or creation.

Just because some over-bearing fathers have abused the use of the rod does not mean the rod of discipline in defiant, rebellious situations does not have legitimate merit in the raising of the godly seed. We now live in a world where moods, negative attitudes, tempers, anger, and lusts are out of control. I am sure that much of this is because of insufficient discipline, including the rejection of the rod as a godly spiritual form of correction.

The timeless slogan says, "Spare the rod and spoil the child." It comes from the Bible of course. Proverbs 13:24 says, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him quickly."

Here are a few more Scriptures of what God has to say on this subject: Proverbs 10:13, "In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding."

Proverbs 19:13, "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."

Proverbs 22:15, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

Proverbs 23:13-14, "Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."

Proverbs 29:13, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Proverbs 29:17, "Correct thy son and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."

Hebrews 12:6-11, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which correct us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

If we do not use the rod when bad conduct demands it, we will find that the bad conduct will be a rod that beats us down every day. Our prisons are overloaded and our streets and public places are becoming more and more dangerous. Much of this is because of a failure to make appropriate use of the rod as a valuable tool of correction."

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell