Shepherding a Child's Heart

The Function of the Rod
What does the rod of correction do for the child? How does it
work? In Proverbs 29:15 God says, “The rod of correction imparts
wisdom … ” Elsewhere, the Proverbs connect wisdom with the fear of
the Lord. Fearing God and acquiring wisdom come through the
instrumentality of the rod.
The connection of the rod with wisdom is of profound importance.
The child who is not submitting to parental authority is acting
foolishly. He is rejecting the jurisdiction of God. He is living his life

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for the immediate gratification of his wants and desires. Ultimately,
to refuse God’s rule means to choose his own rule that leads to death.
It is the height of foolishness.
The rod of correction brings wisdom to the child. It provides an
immediate tactile demonstration of the foolishness of rebellion.
Properly administered discipline humbles the heart of a child, making
him subject to parental instruction. An atmosphere is created in which
instruction can be given. The spanking renders the child compliant
and ready to receive life-giving words.
Hebrews 12:11 puts it this way: “No discipline seems pleasant at
the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
The rod of discipline, while it brings pain, also brings a harvest of
righteousness and peace. The child whose parents use the rod in a
timely, appropriate fashion learns to submit to authority.
Don’t all kids learn to obey eventually? Not according to the
Proverbs. “The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to
himself disgraces his mother. Discipline your son, and he will give
you peace; he will bring delight to your soul” (Proverbs 29:15, 17).
God has commanded the use of the rod in discipline and
correction of children. It is not the only thing you do, but it must be
used. He has told you that there are needs within your children that
require the use of the rod. If you are going to rescue your children
from death, if you are going to root out the folly that is bound up in
their hearts, if you are going to impart wisdom, you must use the rod.