Parenting by the Book
STUDY 248
Text: Proverbs 20
26 March 2006
Dear Parents,
EXTERMINATION OF AN ENTIRE CLAN
In ancient China, despotic emperors often exterminated whole clans when one member of the family commited a crime against the state. The old saying of pulling out the very roots of the grass was something adhered to very strongly. All too often the emperor abuses his authority when he orders the extermination of the entire clan.
BE CAREFUL OF MISREADING THE FOLLOWING TEXT
This text can be easily misread, if we are not careful.
A wise king sifts out the wicked,
And brings the threshing wheel over them.Proverbs 20:26
1. Sifting out the wicked
This is not a reference to the extermination of a whole clan. It is wise advice to the king to do the following:-
a) To check out if perpetrators truly worked alone or they had company.
b) To check for potential enemies of the state.
c) Sifting – a reference to interrogation.
The wicked will not easily confess his wrong doing. Only through very thorough sifting would the wicked confess his misdeeds.
2. The threshing wheel
a) This is not a literal threshing wheel.
If this were a literal threshing wheel, then the Scriptures would be advocating torture.
b) The threshing wheel is used to remove the kernel from the chaff.
The first procedure of winnowing is a simpler one. The light chaff is easily blown away from the kernel. However, there are certain seeds where the chaff clings tightly, and the only way is to put the chaff through a threshing wheel.
c) The lesson behind this is obvious.
The wicked have to be treated sternly and firmly, or they will always pose a threat to the security to the nation.
The king must not allow his heart to rule. He must exercise much wisdom if he is to rule his kingdom well. The kingdom needs to be protected from the wicked!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie