July 19, 2008

Today's Reading - Proverbs 19
Click above for full KJV Online

Today's Pathway:previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Click above to go directly to TP
Following Scripture Verses

1. Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
2. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.
4. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
5. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
6. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
7. All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
8. He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
9. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
10. Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11. The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
12. The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
13. A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.
14. House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.
15. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
17. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
18. Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
19. A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
21. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.
22. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
23. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
24. A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25. Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
26. He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.
27. Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.
28. An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
29. Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Today's Pathway:
You may click on verses for Scripture

"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." - Proverbs 19:18

There are several child-rearing principles that are contained in today's proverb. First of all, Solomon once again reiterates the importance of chastening a child. We live in a society that believes that children should be left alone to make up their own minds about issues. Modern educators tell us that interfering in a child's behavior only serves to stifle their intellectual and creative growth. However, God says that chastening is necessary. The word chastening carries with it the idea of both verbal and physical correction, with physical correction being the literal meaning. Thus, God expects parents to spank their children in order to guide them in the right direction.

Second, we see that chastening needs to take place immediately in a child's life. There comes a time when it is too late to correct a young person. You can try, but you effectiveness will be minimal. This does not mean that you should simply give up if you have failed to discipline properly in the past, but it does mean that you need to start disciplining in a Biblical manner today. When a child is young there is always the hope that he will respond properly. As he gets older, and his sinful, rebellious habits become more ingrained, there is less probability that he will repent and change.

Finally, Solomon tells his son not to stop chastening his child just because the child begins to cry. Tears of repentance are wonderful, but children learn early on how to manipulate their parents with their weeping. Children cry when being spanked. They cry when they are rebuked. They cry when they are told "No". Don't stop doing those things. You aren't destroying their lives nor ruining their health. You are preserving their lives and keeping them from ruining their relationship with God.

Pastor Mark J Montgomery