“A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.” Proverbs 26:3
Devotional Thought For The Day
For many people the first and the third parts of this proverb are objectionable, even reprehensible. Certainly dealing gently with animals is the most effective and humane way of getting the most production out of them. However, there are times when sterner encouragement is required – and a whip is intended to create greater attentiveness, not to inflict great pain and certainly not to inflict injury. The same with a bridle – to which the whip is compared. The same also for the “rod” which is appropriate for “the fool” – even though many people now consider any form of “corporal punishment” to be inhumane and barbaric. They would not be comfortable having to observe or deal with what law enforcement and prison officials often face – or even school teachers for that matter! However, those who find dynamics of physical force and coercion to be reprehensible often have little concern for producing anything and little sense of propriety and order. They dreamily think that the wickedness of human nature is so weak and minimal that with a little gentleness everyone can be brought to decency. The world, and wretchedly sinful and evil human beings, do not conform to such silly optimism. We all keep up with the daily news. Sadly, even with adults within the church, unruliness, rebelliousness, and capitulation to evil must at times be resisted with strength and force. Lord, have mercy!
Lest one be tempted to think that the LORD would never resort to such force, we should remember the Great Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Exodus, the conquest of Palestine, the punishment of Israel by the Assyrians and later the Babylonians. We might also want to recall the death penalty prescribed for a number of sins in the Old Testament. Of course, the greatest punishment of God was inflicted upon His own dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in His suffering and death on the cross. Sadly, many people remain uninformed of His real suffering – and focus only upon the wretched physical violence perpetrated upon Him by men. The real suffering – unimaginably horrific – occurred when He was forsaken of God and suffered the torment of hell, God’s unmitigated justice and wrath, for the sins of the world, the sins of every human being who will ever live on this earth [include Hitler, Stalin, mass murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, gossips, etc.]. In His crucifixion we see the true nature of our evil, the real darkness of our sin, in the real punishment that we have merited and deserved. And yet some would dare to object to a “rod” of correction for those caught in the foolishness and destructiveness of sin? Lord, have mercy!
As we contemplate the gentleness and love of our Savior on the anniversary of the eve of His great suffering, let us make sure that we do so with eyes wide open, in full understanding of the nature of the sin that He has redeemed us from, the wrath, fury, and destruction that we deserve. Let us find great joy in the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all sin, so that we too are assured of God’s peace, His blessing in this life, and eternal life in His heavenly kingdom. May this contemplation have great effect and influence when we are facing temptations to sin – that we properly understand the nature of sin, and do all that we can to turn away from it. Perhaps a time may come when people will again appreciate the importance of punishment, even corporal punishment, for crimes, sin, and all foolishness – especially that of unbelief. If not, God will find other ways of curbing evil with corporal consequences, that sin not completely take over and inundate the world with destruction prior to Christ’s return.
The only “peaceful” and non-violent resolution to our sin and rebellion is repentance and faith in Jesus, and submission to His Word – resolving our sin and rebellion in the violence and suffering inflicted upon Jesus on the cross. May God grant this in greater measure to all of His dear people of faith, and may He grant this great blessedness to more of our friends and neighbors. May we do our utmost to spread this blessedness in His world today.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, remind us of the sad realities that the great sin and evil of mankind has brought into and perpetuated in this world, Your world. Grant us godly repentance, along with faith and joy in Your salvation. Fill us with peace and joy in the forgiveness and cleansing You accomplished for us in Your substitutionary suffering and death for our sin. Help us to be realistic in our understanding of the cause and effect of suffering, including punishment and discipline, as we look for Your return and the kingdom of righteousness. Amen.