“Spare not the rod.” This paraphrase of the command given in Proverbs 13:24 is greatly exercised on our children, by Hebrew and Gentile parents alike. It’s the last alternative that Torah-observant parents have when it comes to disciplining their young ones. Despite the negative views toward this Scriptural approach in our predominantly pagan era, many of us have spanked our growing children since toddlerhood, which is usually when they start to manifest their own personalities and in full force begin to test boundaries.
Discipline should always be tempered by love and self-control. It should never be used as a form of abuse. A toddler who is not cognizant of the reason they are being disciplined (which can come in many forms), and does not realize why naughty behavior is being addressed, needs to know that your stern actions come with love and care. So, any form of discipline should be immediately followed by a show of tender affection. This will communicate to your child that your actions are not coming from a place of anger or resentment.
After sending prophets to warn many generations, and following many “awakenings,” Yah sent forth his son—as well as the Ruach—with love and mercy as a show of his tender kindness. Yet, prophecy holds that Yeshua himself will reign with a “rod of iron” in the coming Kingdom.
15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of Elohim Almighty.
—Revelation 19:15
Were the many exiles we’ve been through not enough, together with the 400 years of affliction, the personal calamities, trials, and disasters we’ve experienced? Were these tests and punishments not enough for us to willingly and genuinely turn to him with a loving heart of obedience and servitude?
Scripture reveals he will plead with us face to face in the wilderness:
35And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face.
—Ezekiel 20:35
His monarchical rule will be with a “rod of iron” for the stiff-necked and disobedient; but to those who choose to do his will, the thousand-year reign will be one of joy, where the faithful are showered with Yah’s love and care.
Sadly, at the end of that thousand-year period, a spiritual and eternal spanking will still be required.
11Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and the grave gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14Then Death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
—Revelation 20:11 – 15
Many parents who are living Hebrew eventually come to a point where the rod is no longer effective; when the heart of their child has hardened itself to disobey, no matter the consequence. Only then will parents understand that even Yeshua cannot persuade his own creations to listen and obey, despite the offer of eternal life!
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Well written message, Mrs. KP! I could go on and on about this topic on a plethora of different platforms!!!!! As a mother of three young Hebrews ages K through 2nd grade, it is a daily grind for my husband and I to reinforce our household and family expectations, as well as offer spiritual direction to our children attending the public education system. The system is so focused on allowing children the right to do whatever it is they feel is best for them in the scholastic setting. Our local education has even drawn up referendum to allow a child as young as 4K to change gender and name on school property without having to inform the parents; many states are passing similar rights to children under anti-bullying policies. It is a nightmare for parents who embrace Yah's guidelines to raising children; yet your message is an encouraging reminder for us to continue to stand ground for raising our youth.
—Katie B.
On point Mrs. KP. I'm a single dad and I teach my son about Yah and what he should and shouldn't do. Yes, it gets hard sometimes because of the pagan era we live in but I don't spare the rod and I let him understand that I do it because of my love, and Yah. I know that he will understand as he gets older and Yah will put his spirit on his heart. Thank you for the article because it's right on point.
—Ontario F.
