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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 43

STUDY 43

Text: Proverbs 3:11-12
28 April 2002

Dear Parents,

AN IMPORTANT LESSON ON THE SUBJECT OF “CHASTENING”
One of the most important subjects that parents have to master must be this one. The subject of “chastening” or “discipline” is a difficult if not thorny subject to discuss. There are some who advocate that parents must chasten. There are others who reject the idea of ever disciplining children.

The text that we are studying however deals with the subject of chastening from the Lord!

My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11-12

GOD PERSONALLY INVOLVES HIMSELF
It is important to note this truth. God personally involves himself in the work of chastening. Solomon the King was said to be one who spoke many proverbs. He was reputed to have spoken “three thousand proverbs” (1 Kings 4:32). Solomon certainly had a hand in the compilation of the Book of Proverbs, even if he wasn’t the only contributor. The Book of Proverbs begins with this introductory note.

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel…

Proverbs 1:1

Solomon would of course have been aware of what God personally said concerning this subject of chastening from the Lord. The Lord spoke to David and told him that He would give him a son (Solomon) and He would personally see to his upbringing.

I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body,
and I will establish his kingdom…
I will be His Father, and he shall be My son.
If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men
And with the blows of the sons of men.
But my mercy shall not depart from him…

2 Samuel 7:12, 14-15

CORRECTION AS A SIGN OF LOVE
How should we teach children about chastening from the Lord? We would of course need to deal with the problem of sin in their lives. Above everything else, we must teach them that God truly loves them, and hence the chastening.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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