Of Discipline

For Friday, March 7, 2008
Proverbs 29:17

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart.

The purpose of discipline is not to keep your child under control, but to give him opportunity to develop the good character that he is capable of. He is born in sin. If left to his own devices he will develop selfishness, rebellion, meanness, and other such traits. Discipline is the means to correct these tendencies and help him to find the blessing of virtuous traits.

According to the child, discipline will vary. Some children are more self-willed than others. Each child has peculiar tendencies. Some are fearless in their behavior, while others are fearful. The wise parent will take time to understand each child and discipline accordingly.

Oftentimes parents will avoid discipline for the sake of avoiding conflict or avoiding making their child sad. But this shows a lack of discipline in the parent, who looks only to the moment and does not consider the long-term future. It also shows selfishness, as the parent cares more for his or her own feelings at the moment than what is best for the child. The irony is that such a parent is working against himself. He is setting up his child to be a source of contention and
anguish over the years. If he truly values rest and wants to delight in his child, he will discipline himself to exercise fair, consistent discipline with his child.

When the Wicked Increase

For Thursday, March 6, 2008
Proverbs 29:16

When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
but the righteous will look upon their downfall.

When the wicked increase in number and power, transgression increases. As the wicked rise, they are more embolden to sin, as well as having the liberty to sin. Furthermore, their transgression encourages others to sin who had felt restricted under the rule of the righteous. Their transgression leads others astray who follow their example because of their being the leaders and because they seem to demonstrate that their transgression will go unpunished. Indeed, not only does the transgression seem to go unpunished, but the wicked seem to prosper precisely because of their transgression. Others fall into sin by fighting against the wicked in an unrighteous manner. They lie and cheat, claiming the ends justify the means.

But the downfall of the wicked will come. God will not be mocked. He will not allow wickedness to go unpunished. Then, those who did not give was to sin will look upon the wicked's downfall.

Will you, then, persevere through the reign of the wicked? Such a reign may take place in your community, in your workplace, even in your home. Will you refrain from taking on the traits of the wicked? Will you refrain from unrighteous retaliation? Will you wait patiently for the vindication and the salvation of the Lord according to his timetable and his measure of justice? Will you remain among the ranks of the righteous who will see justice prevail?

The Rod and Reproof

For Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Proverbs 29:15

The rod and reproof give wisdom,
but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

It would seem that reasoning and instruction would give wisdom to a child. Such things do give wisdom when the heart is inclined to learn. But a child is not so inclined because he is born with the malady of being a sinner. As such, his heart is inclined to do as he pleases, which leads to rebellion and/or folly. Children are born with varying dispositions. Some show strong self-will, while others are even temperament and ready to please others. Whatever the disposition, they act according to what pleases themselves, and they will carry their dispositions to sinful extremes.

Thus, they need early on to receive appropriate discipline, which includes punishment for wrong-doing coupled with expressions of disapproval. Parents must be careful not to be harsh, fathers in particular because they are more likely to be so. But there is equal danger in harming the child by not providing appropriate discipline. A child left to his own devices will bring shame because he will act shamefully. He will not learn how to discipline himself. He will not learn how to set appropriate boundaries for his behavior. He will fail to learn how to discern the character of friends and associates. With no consequences to check his behavior, he will lead himself astray.
Wisdom is a trait that must be desired; it must be chosen. But if one has not learned discipline, he will choose the way of folly because folly appeals to his surface desires. It is the way of what seems pleasant at the moment. By its very nature, it keeps the individual from looking to the future, even the near future, and discerning consequences. No child naturally discerns future consequences. All he understands is immediate consequence. That is where discipline comes in - giving the child an immediate consequence by which he learns to discern what is good and bad for him. Over time, he develops discernment and learns to discipline himself for his good. But it all begins with the discipline rendered in the home.

The Poor and Security

For Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Proverbs 29:14

If a king faithfully judges the poor,
his throne will be established forever.

There is a consistent message throughout the Bible that the measure of a person's integrity, of his faith even, is found in the way he treats the poor. God hates the oppression of the poor; indeed, he is their defender against oppressors. The righteous person is one who gives to the poor and, as noted here, a righteous king is one who treats the poor with justice.

How are we to measure those in authority? Consider their attitude towards the poor. How are we to measure ourselves? What is our attitude? Are we concerned that the poor receive justice? Are we desirous to extend mercy?

Note the result of faithfully judging the poor. The king's throne is made all the more secure. This seems to go against logic. For every ruler and politician knows that it is by giving attention to the rich and the powerful that a position is made secure. Rocking the boat by being attentive to the poor places one in a precarious position. But the proverb is not considering how to secure favor with the affluent, but with God. For it is God who secures a throne, God who raises and brings down princes. It is God who gives life and takes it away. Follow the heart of God who cares for the poor. Only then can one know eternal security.

Using Light

For Monday, March 3, 2008
Proverbs 29:13

The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.

This may be the case of a debtor meeting with his creditor. Whatever the case, one person has control over the other. The oppressor or creditor "owns" the poor man, who is under his power. It is the prerogative of the oppressor to extend or withhold mercy.

But now comes the reminder. Both men are under the Lord, and it is the Lord who is the Giver, who has the prerogative to extend or withhold mercy. It is the Lord who gives light to the eyes of both. He may cast both into darkness at his whim. Jesus said, "For [God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). In that context, he is instructing us to love our enemies. But it is a further reminder that it is God who controls our fortune.

This proverb reminds the poor man what he does have and in what sense he is as rich as the oppressor. It reminds him of the same advantages he holds. God has also given him light. Indeed, perhaps the poor man would fare better if he made better use of that light insteading of bemoaning what he does not have.

It is a warning to the oppressor, that nothing he possesses is of his own making. God may easily remove his very sight. It is a warning of the misuse of his light. Using light to see how to take advantage of the poor will result ultimately in being cast into the outer darkness. Nor will he be without excuse for not seeing with a right perspective. God has given him light; if he does not see God and God's justice, he has no one but himself to explain.

Whatever our present lot in life, let use that light which is common to all to see our God at work and follow him.