Deuteronomy 8:5 You shall also consider in your heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. I. CHASTISEMENT IS A NECESSITY OF OUR MORAL NATURE. He is no wise parent who spares the rod when the good of the child requires that chastisement be administered. Gentler methods failing, the undutiful son ought to be chastised, he deserves it. He needs the discipline. It acts wholesomely upon him, awakening conscience, begetting respect for paternal authority, deterring from evil, leading probably to penitence and submission. II. CHASTISEMENT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF GOD'S TREATMENT OF HIS CHILDREN. His chastisements proceed from love (Hebrews 12:6). They are wisely meted out, and are always for our profit (Hebrews 12:10). God can bear to punish. He will not allow our faults to slip. He will make us feel when we do wrong, hedging up our way, and laying stripes upon us. God's children have the comfort of knowing that they are thus in a Father's hand, and that in all they suffer they are being chastened by unerring love and wisdom. III. CHASTISEMENT IS A PART OF GOD'S DISCIPLINE OF US FOR WHICH WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL. Not murmuring, but submitting to it. Without this chastisement: 1. How forgetful of God would we soon become! 2. How haughty and self-willed! 3. How dilatory in duty! - J.O. Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.WEB: You shall consider in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so Yahweh your God chastens you. |
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