The Truth About Spanking

The Rod the Biblw speaks of is a sign of authority not an instrument of beating. One is to use their authority and wisdom to disciple i.e. to teach or instruct

Wrong and liberal, for that is only one use of the word shêbeṭ, , while it basically means to

to branch off; a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan:—× correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. - Strong's, H7626 )

And thus it often speaks of an instrument used by authority, including in discipline, the very thing you deny!

And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod , H7626 and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. - Exo 21:20

He did not smite the slave with a mere claim of authority, but an instrument used by authority.

John Gill provides some insight from Jewish commentary (for what its worth):

Exodus 21:20: And if a man smite his servant or his maid with a rod,.... A Canaanitish servant or maid, as the Targum of Jonathan, and so Jarchi; and that only with a rod for the correction of them, and not with a sword or any such destroying weapon, which would seem as though he intended to kill, yet nevertheless:

and he die under his hand; immediately, while he is smiting or beating him or her, on the same day, as the above Targum interprets it:

he shall be surely punished; or condemned to the punishment of being slain with the sword, as the said Targum and Jarchi explain it: this law was made to deter masters from using severity and cruelty towards their servants.

2Sa 7:14: I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod H7626 of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

God is not chastening by the authority itself, but with instrumentation of it.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod H7626 and thy staff they comfort me.

Phillip Keller in "A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23" relates ,

Each shepherd boy, from the time he first starts to tend his father's flock, takes special pride in the selection of a rod and staff exactly suited to his own size and strength...The rod was what he relied on to safeguard both himself and his flock in danger. And it was, furthermore, the instrument he used to discipline and correct any wayward sheep that insisted on wandering away...If the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away from its own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to danger of one sort or another, the club would go whistling through the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch...Finally the shepherd's rod is an instrument of protection both for himself and his sheep when they are in danger. It is used both as a defense and a deterrent against anything that would attack. ...

Pro 10:13: In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod H7626 is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Obviously the rod is a a literal instrument and used for correction, and thus it may also refer to what authority can do by other means of correction.

Pro 13:24: He that spareth his rod H7626 hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The literal rod is used for chastening, and to not use it if and as needed is actually hateful in effect, despite the emotion involved.

Pro 22:15: Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod H7626 of correction shall drive it far from him.

Thus the rod represents physical chastisement.

Pro 23:13,14 Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod , H7626 he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod , H7626 and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Once again obviously the rod is a a literal instrument and used for correction.

Pro 26:3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod H7626 for the fool's back.

Thus the rod is like a whip for the horse,

Pro 29:15 The rod H7626 and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

Thus the just and wise use of physicality correction is part of wise Scriptural child rearing of the wise, while fools despise such correction.

Pro 13:24: He that spareth his rod H7626 hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

The literal rod is used for chastening, and to not use it if and as needed is actually hateful in effect, despite the emotion involved.

Allow me to add this detail to your discourse on The Rod:

The topic under consideration is "spanking." which I believe means striking with the open hand. In actuality, that is not the method the instruction of Scripture leads us to, which is the application of the rod, not the open hand. To wit, spanking is actually sparing the foolish child (or childish fool) from the God-ordained instrument of chastening, the rod; and thus causes the child to think that he/she is hated (or at least, 'loved less' as some would have it), rather than chastened with his benefit in mind.

Now in fact, I did not spank my children. I used the instrument that my mother employed, the leather belt, a strap, which would be a form of whip, but not in excess--only to the point where it was clear that the lesson had been learned. (I used a broad one, and that with only three strokes. It was never used on a child after the twelfth birthday.)

However, when my son grew up and had taken unto himself a godly wife, they taught me that the rod, not the hand or a whip, was the God-given instrument to be used, even for a tiny babe desiring to exert his/her will against the parent's!

So, how big and hurtful should the rod be, to begin to discipline the infant?

Well, when the baby (who was being breast-fed on a set schedule) started agitating at the wrong time of day or night, and cold not be hushed up by soothing, a soda straw was produced, shown and seen, then applied to the open skin of the babe's arm or leg to show displeasure. Then the babe was tucked back in with a goodnight kiss but without any reward of feeding at all. If the agitation began again after this quieting, the process was repeated. The babe soon learned that he/she was not the dictator, and that starvation, recreational feeding, or deprivation of affection was not a part of the lesson of establishing authority.

This, of course, lays the groundwork for the pattern of dealing with other behavioral issues as they occur in the child's growth and responsibility for self-control.

When the child was older and the straw-sign was too mild, a firmer instrument was cut from the longest straight part of a plastic (not wire) coat hanger, and used in the same way, but was applied until, and only until, the child's defiance crumbled, a quiet, lasting resolutiond be made, and assurances of love extended. The rod was of a size to fit in Mom's purse, such that when in public the child was causing Mom to reach inside for it, usually that was enough to bring restraint.

Speaking to the threat of an observer calling Child Protective Services, the complaining interloper would have a hard time explaining that any abuse was taking place, whereas a cuff or slap or quick kick accompanied by an angry remonstrance might be actionable.

In the end, though when his children were old enough to graduate to a half-inch hardwood dowel with my son administering it, it never had to be used, as far as I know. And so he and his dear wife have raised ten children, the youngest now turning eight, and the oldest this year finalizing his Ph. D. in Mechanical engineering. His sisters have gone on several missionary trips with one remaining in the field at a Costa Rican orphanage. His younger brother received his Army ROTC commission this spring and is now on active duty. All the other children continue to honor their father, their mother, and their home education with responsible behavior and self respect. My perception is that this is a commendation for the use of the rod of correction as an absolutely necessary part of the task of raising self-governing reliable citizens; that to fail in this is a deliberate "cop out.".

When as a child I visited my grandpa and grandma farmers, it only took a couple of times for grandpa to take down the razor strap hanging on the back of the bathroom door, double it, then snap it together with a loud pop for me to gain the clear impression that when he issued a request, he was not starting a debate about it. That's the way my Dad was raised, and very effectually induced me to follow the same pattern.

But it's the rod that works, when applied until resistance to properly instituted authority ceases, and remains that way as a fixed principle.

As a final comment: No spanking. It is not a God-given method for chastening, and it is a process not formidable enough to cause deep-rooted character to be formed in the trainee.

The literal rod is used for chastening, and to not use it if and as needed is actually hateful in effect, despite the emotion involved. Allow me to add this detail to your discourse on The Rod: The topic under consideration is "spanking." which I believe means striking with the open hand. In actuality, that is not the method the instruction of Scripture leads us to, which is the application of the rod, not the open hand. To wit, spanking is actually sparing the foolish child (or childish fool) from the God-ordained instrument of chastening, the rod; and thus causes the child to think that he/she is hated (or at least, 'loved less' as some would have it), rather than chastened with his benefit in mind. Now in fact, I did not spank my children. I used the instrument that my mother employed, the leather belt, a strap, which would be a form of whip, but not in excess--only to the point where it was clear that the lesson had been learned. (I used a broad one, and that with only three strokes. It was never used on a child after the twelfth birthday.) However, when my son grew up and had taken unto himself a godly wife, they taught me that the rod, not the hand or a whip, was the God-given instrument to be used, even for a tiny babe desiring to exert his/her will against the parent's! So, how big and hurtful should the rod be, to begin to discipline the infant? Well, when the baby (who was being breast-fed on a set schedule) started agitating at the wrong time of day or night, and cold not be hushed up by soothing, a soda straw was produced, shown and seen, then applied to the open skin of the babe's arm or leg to show displeasure. Then the babe was tucked back in with a goodnight kiss but without any reward of feeding at all. If the agitation began again after this quieting, the process was repeated. The babe soon learned that he/she was not the dictator, and that starvation, recreational feeding, or deprivation of affection was not a part of the lesson of establishing authority. This, of course, lays the groundwork for the pattern of dealing with other behavioral issues as they occur in the child's growth and responsibility for self-control. When the child was older and the straw-sign was too mild, a firmer instrument was cut from the longest straight part of a plastic (not wire) coat hanger, and used in the same way, but was applied until, and only until, the child's defiance crumbled, a quiet, lasting resolutiond be made, and assurances of love extended. The rod was of a size to fit in Mom's purse, such that when in public the child was causing Mom to reach inside for it, usually that was enough to bring restraint. Speaking to the threat of an observer calling Child Protective Services, the complaining interloper would have a hard time explaining that any abuse was taking place, whereas a cuff or slap or quick kick accompanied by an angry remonstrance might be actionable. In the end, though when his children were old enough to graduate to a half-inch hardwood dowel with my son administering it, it never had to be used, as far as I know. And so he and his dear wife have raised ten children, the youngest now turning eight, and the oldest this year finalizing his Ph. D. in Mechanical engineering. His sisters have gone on several missionary trips with one remaining in the field at a Costa Rican orphanage. His younger brother received his Army ROTC commission this spring and is now on active duty. All the other children continue to honor their father, their mother, and their home education with responsible behavior and self respect. My perception is that this is a commendation for the use of the rod of correction as an absolutely necessary part of the task of raising self-governing reliable citizens; that to fail in this is a deliberate "cop out.". When as a child I visited my grandpa and grandma farmers, it only took a couple of times for grandpa to take down the razor strap hanging on the back of the bathroom door, double it, then snap it together with a loud pop for me to gain the clear impression that when he issued a request, he was not starting a debate about it. That's the way my Dad was raised, and very effectually induced me to follow the same pattern. But it's the rod that works, when applied until resistance to properly instituted authority ceases, and remains that way as a fixed principle. As a final comment: No spanking. It is not a God-given method for chastening, and it is a process not formidable enough to cause deep-rooted character to be formed in the trainee.

While I wish that children never needed discipline, including with the rod, love for God and then for others sometimes requires it to varying degrees, but from soda straw to dowel, you would be called a child abuser by liberals, whose premise is that man is basically good, and that requiring obedience to obtain benefits, and that disobedience means the loss of such, is unjust, as all have the right to the same benefits regardless of merit, and thus the giving of which to their supporters is not mercy or grace, but justice, as is penalizing those who merit benefits by obedience to the Biblical model that the laborer is worthy of his reward, versus the indolent, careless, and dishonest. But that mercy and grace may be given to such in private charity, and should be to the truly disadvantaged, and all such should thus seek to be productive according to their ability.

They also hold that people do "bad" (a term they have trouble with in the Biblical sense due to conservatives who to any fair degree hold to Biblical morality and its system of mercy, grave and merit.

I wrote the following to this yesterday to a friend.

The devil selfishly wants to rule, and as in the beginning, his premise is that he should have what God does (position, power, etc). thus the "share the wealth" and "occupy movement," without even meriting it by obedience (overcoming souls shall sit with Christ in His throne: Rv. 3:21), and that it is wrong to require this, and wrong to penalize those who try to climb up some other way. Thus those who lack what others merit are victims who are entitled to those benefits regardless.

Thus the devil employed this "victim-entitlement" psychological appeal with Eve, implicitly charging that denying that God was selfish and unjust in withholding Divine power from her, and that she would be just in disobedience which would obtain this power.

By seducing Eve with this the devil obtained power, becoming the god of this world, and such has been the tactic of his proxy servants, such as Absalom who selfishly stole the hearts of the people by inferring the king unjustly did not care about them, (2 Samuel 15:1-6) to Communists, who sowed envy among masses at what others had obtained, fostering class warfare btwn owners and workers in a basically capitalist system.

In which system there was (and will be) some injustice, but the basic premise was that the system was unjust in which benefits are obtained according to labor and risks and ability, but who should show mercy and grace to who lack ability or opportunity, yet who seek to strive lawfully.

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2 Timothy 2:5)

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1)

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

But by sowing envy and instilling the "victim-entitlement" mentality, Communists "saviors," as with liberal "saviors" obtained power by promising to rectify the inequality of wealth via redistribution under their jurisdiction. But which progressively results in the purported "saviors" and their puppets being the only ones who fly in "business class" while the rest are progressively reduced to poverty in support of them. As we see most profoundly in modern day Venezuela.

This is where liberalism leads to, which (like a cult) uses some actual failings of a valid system to bring acceptance of a unScriptural one, instilling the demonic victim-entitlement mentality, and vainly promising what other had earned to those who did not.

And under which there is no mercy or grace, for rather than one no receiving the penalty the deserved for their failings and receiving benefits (by private charity) they did not earn then instead they are led to believe such penalties are unjust and that they have a right to what others merited. Which again, was the original manifest premise of the devil, the author of the "share the wealth" demand and thus the "occupy movement."

Thus liberal students would take over administration buildings, as if they had a right to be in that position climbing up some other way, and which proxy servants of the devil yet seek to do, inciting class warfare as a means to power.

In contrast to which is Christ, who emptied Himself, and as Lord of all showing mercy and grace, rewarding obedience, though in reality al things are of God, who alone is worthy of glory.

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (Hebrews 10:35-36)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

The First Book of Nephi

Chapter 8

Lehi sees a vision of the tree of life—He partakes of its fruit and desires his family to do likewise—He sees a rod of iron, a strait and narrow path, and the mists of darkness that enshroud men—Sariah, Nephi, and Sam partake of the fruit, but Laman and Lemuel refuse. About 600–592 B.C.

1 And it came to pass that we had gathered together all manner of ^aseeds of every kind, both of grain of every kind, and also of the seeds of fruit of every kind.

2 And it came to pass that while my father tarried in the wilderness he spake unto us, saying: Behold, I have ^adreamed a dream; or, in other words, I have ^bseen a ^cvision.

3 And behold, because of the thing which I have seen, I have reason to rejoice in the Lord because of ^aNephi and also of Sam; for I have reason to suppose that they, and also many of their seed, will be saved.

4 But behold, ^aLaman and Lemuel, I fear exceedingly because of you; for behold, methought I saw in my dream, a dark and dreary wilderness.

5 And it came to pass that I saw a ^aman, and he was dressed in a white ^brobe; and he came and stood before me.

6 And it came to pass that he spake unto me, and bade me follow him.

7 And it came to pass that as I followed him I beheld myself that I was in a dark and dreary waste.

8 And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have ^amercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies.

9 And it came to pass after I had prayed unto the Lord I beheld a large and spacious ^afield.

10 And it came to pass that I beheld a ^atree, whose ^bfruit was desirable to make one ^chappy.

11 And it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the ^afruit thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. Yea, and I beheld that the fruit thereof was white, to exceed all the ^bwhiteness that I had ever seen.

12 And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great ^ajoy; wherefore, I began to be ^bdesirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was ^cdesirable above all other fruit.

13 And as I cast my eyes round about, that perhaps I might discover my family also, I beheld a ^ariver of water; and it ran along, and it was near the tree of which I was partaking the fruit.

14 And I looked to behold from whence it came; and I saw the head thereof a little way off; and at the head thereof I beheld your mother Sariah, and Sam, and ^aNephi; and they stood as if they knew not whither they should go.

15 And it came to pass that I beckoned unto them; and I also did say unto them with a loud voice that they should come unto me, and partake of the fruit, which was desirable above all other fruit.

16 And it came to pass that they did come unto me and partake of the fruit also.

17 And it came to pass that I was desirous that Laman and Lemuel should come and partake of the fruit also; wherefore, I cast mine eyes towards the head of the river, that perhaps I might see them.

18 And it came to pass that I saw them, but they would ^anot come unto me and partake of the fruit.

19 And I beheld a ^arod of iron, and it extended along the bank of the river, and led to the tree by which I stood.

20 And I also beheld a ^astrait and narrow path, which came along by the rod of iron, even to the tree by which I stood; and it also led by the head of the fountain, unto a large and spacious field, as if it had been a ^bworld.

21 And I saw numberless concourses of people, many of whom were ^apressing forward, that they might obtain the ^bpath which led unto the tree by which I stood.

22 And it came to pass that they did come forth, and commence in the path which led to the tree.

23 And it came to pass that there arose a ^amist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were ^blost.

24 And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, ^aclinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the ^bfruit of the tree.

25 And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ^aashamed.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the ^aother side of the river of water, a great and ^bspacious building; and it stood as it were in the ^cair, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the ^aattitude of ^bmocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had ^atasted of the fruit they were ^bashamed, because of those that were ^cscoffing at them; and they ^dfell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

29 And now I, Nephi, do not speak ^aall the words of my father.

30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the ^arod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.

31 And he also saw other ^amultitudes feeling their way towards that great and spacious building.

32 And it came to pass that many were drowned in the ^adepths of the ^bfountain; and many were lost from his view, wandering in strange roads.

33 And great was the multitude that did enter into that strange building. And after they did enter into that building they did point the finger of ^ascorn at me and those that were partaking of the fruit also; but we heeded them not.

34 These are the words of my father: For as many as ^aheeded them, had fallen away.

35 And ^aLaman and Lemuel partook not of the fruit, said my father.

36 And it came to pass after my father had spoken all the words of his dream or vision, which were many, he said unto us, because of these things which he saw in a vision, he exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.

37 And he did ^aexhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent, that they would hearken to his words, that perhaps the Lord would be merciful to them, and not cast them off; yea, my father did preach unto them.

38 And after he had preached unto them, and also prophesied unto them of many things, he bade them to keep the commandments of the Lord; and he did cease speaking unto them.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.