Withhold Not Correction From the Child - Proverbs 23:13

In the book of Proverbs Solomon said, “Apply your heart unto instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirteen of Proverbs Solomon said, “withhold not correction from the child” where we read,

Withhold not correction from the child: for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.

The verse begins, “Withhold not correction from the child:” Solomon began with the words, “withhold not correction” or “do not hold back, refrain or hinder chastening, discipline or reproof” “from the child” which means “separate and apart from the boy, lad or youth from infancy to adolescence”. Solomon instructed his readers and listeners not to hold back discipline from children. 

The verse goes on to say, “for if you beat him with the rod, he shall not die.” Solomon continued with the words, “for if you beat him” or “because, since and on account that in case or whether you, Solomon's readers and listeners, strike, smite, chastise or punish the child” “with the rod” which means “by the use of the branch, shaft or truncheon”, “he shall not die” or “he, the child, will in no way or manner be put to death, killed or be slain prematurely”. Solomon said in case Solomon's readers and listeners chastise and punish their children in discipline, the child will not be put to death prematurely. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Solomon how parents are to discipline their children. This is in no way an endorsement for physical or mental abuse, however, when children go astray, they are in need of correction. God loves us, and He provides His correction and discipline to us when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us through His Holy Spirit the correct and right way to discipline the children He provides to us. 

Next time Solomon says, “you shall deliver his soul from hell”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".