The Rod

I grew up receiving a hiding for every house rule that I broke. The painful, slapping sound and touch of the rod often came with the biblical words… “Spare the rod, spoil the child”. In every hiding session I gradually disliked whoever invented that quote. Proverbs 13:24 “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Today I understand why such a deception about this particular verse has been engraved so much into our minds.

The word ‘Rod’ is translated from the Hebrew word Shebet, and it can also be translated to stuff or club. There are other words in the Bible which refer to the rod yet this particular verse and a few others use Shebet. The Shebet Rod was used mostly by shepherds who lead flocks. The primary function of the rod was not to smack the sheep, but to show them direction. The rod was handled by the leader or shepherded who by virtue of holding the stick should know and point out the right direction and protect the sheep with all his/her might. Notice also that the rod was not based on the idea that it should primarily be used on disobedient sheep, but on innocent sheep. The rod should be a symbol of comfort and care. This is why David said, “The Lord is my shepherded… thy rod and thy stuff will comfort me.” He was a shepherded himself and even when he had placed the rod in the position of God’s hands, he actually believed that they will comfort him. A rod in a good shepherded brings comfort not fear and pain.

When explaining this, I am usually faced with the question of similar verses that clearly point out that if you hit a child with a rod they will not die. If you understand what the word rod means, it will be much easier to understand the context of every text that mentions the word. The verse does not say strike him with a rod and he will not die, it says 'IF' you do, he will not die. There are children who have died from being smacked. Solomon was a poet and it generally stresses the importance of showing your child the way and getting out of your comfort zone to find ways of directing your children to the right path.

When I look at the generation before me, I see a generation of people who grew up with a rod on their backside both at home and at school. Today they are the same people who rob banks; they are the same people who murder, rape, cheat. I am not suggesting that the beating caused them to be this way, I am asking where the discipline of being hit has showed itself approved. How many times does beating a child alter their mind to think like angels? Does hitting a child help them make the right choices even when you are around? or is it simply to control the child according to your external standards? If the purpose is to control them and make them fear us, then we are slave masters.