While you are here...could you help me with this:
For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. (exodus 35:2)
My neighbor works for the city. Often a small emergency may happen (such as a water line break or a sewer backup) and he has to fix it on Sunday.
Should I use river rock or pea gravel to stone him?
Dan
You are making the mistake of confusing theological rules with practical rules. Some of the commands that God gives in the OT are "Because He said so". He has His reasons and whether we know them or not we still need to obey. Most of these (fortunately) have been overridden by the NT.
Other things are practical (spare the rod, spoil the child as an example). He tells us these things because these things work. He designed and built us, He knows how we operate better than we do. These things have not been overridden.
On to your question. (River rock or pea gravel). While river rock would finish the job faster and pea gravel would inflict the longest punishment, I've always preferred half bricks, they fit the hand nicely and are easy to aim well.
[Just for those who didn't notice, the last paragraph is a joke]
God Save America (Please)
God's comment in Proverbs about discipline being necessary for good love of a child does seem more timeless than the levitical law, doesn't it?
Also, when God talks about "love", He isn't talking about feelings. He's simply describing what are the elements of an objective art called "love".
So, for example, a man can "love" his girlfriend very much, but when they behave improperly before marriage, they fail love, objectively, though they may feel much "love" in the very act.
None of this is meant to question your love of your children, who I am sure enjoy wonderful parents. Just to argue that a love for your children which does not include "the rod" could be more complete, in God's view.