LOVE it... AMAZING message. only concern (and i am still processing this) i'm certainly no theologian, but there are more than a dozen ways in which the Hebrew word for "rod" can be translated. One of the ways to translate "shebat" is "authority" - which would not have anything to do with corporal punishment / spanking. Just a thought.

@davidjoseph67 (Proverbs 23:13-14) beat him with the rod. This verse does not imply child-beating in the modern sense of the word. The Hebrew word for “beat” is the same as used in II Kings 11:12 (“they clapped their hands”). Actually, it has a range of meanings, from “strike lightly” to “smite lethally,” depending on context. Similarly, the word for “rod” can mean anything from a flexible switch to a weapon of war.

@gpsings1 I totally agree with you. Proverbs is not a book of Law, it's a poetic book. Full of proverbs, wise sayings that aren't taken literally. There are many layers with in each of the proverbs, and it is our responsibility to dig deeper than the surface American interpretation.

@davidjoseph67 There is no doubt that this and a number of other passages prescribe reasonable corporal punishment for disobedient children-not administered in anger or revenge but in concern for developing character, and not applied in such a way as to cause real injury, yet stern enough to discourage future wrongdoing. Note Psalm 23:4-“thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

@davidjoseph67 The scripture seems very clear that rod is an instrument. Here are some good words from Dr. Henry Morris - "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." (Proverbs 13:24)

@davidjoseph67 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.

@davidjoseph67 spareth his rod. Although contrary to modern humanistic child psychology, the Bible clearly teaches-especially here in the book of Proverbs-that judicious corporal punishment, if administered carefully and lovingly, as well as appropriately, is necessary in child-raising. Note also such Scriptures as Proverbs 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15, etc.

@davidjoseph67 Thank you. Discipline means to teach, not to punish. Jesus didn't model that to us. Christians keep falling back on the rod verses, but since they are only mentioned in Proverbs, why doesn't anyone ever investigate the translations of this? It's not even ok to 'train' a dog by hitting. Why would we model love and Christ this way?

@realityJC I don't know, I think common sense would tell you to investigate the translation here. I know of plenty of children who've died from beatings. God wouldn't lie, would He? My understanding of the verse is beat is a steady presence (Think of the sun beating down on us) and the rod as the symbol of authority (such as a kings sceptar) There are a lot of translations that don't 'fit' which is why we must discern with the holy spirit. Remember, Jesus didn't spank.