ESOCS Devotional 15 December 2025 – Significance of the Rod of Discipline
MEMORY VERSE: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.” Proverbs 13:24 KJV
TEXT: PROVERBS 13:17-25
A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health.
18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
21 Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
23 Much food is in the allow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is waste.
24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
What is a rod? It is a slender stick perfect for stripes on the backs of fools and foolish children. It can also mean a hard way of discipline. What is chastening? It is the use of the rod to create those wisdom marks. What is betimes? It is early when there is still hope for the child to be wise. What is sparing? It is deciding for whatever reason that you do not love your children enough to use the rod.
The rod gives wisdom. So, not using it selfishly deprives your children of wisdom they need for success (Prov. 29:15). The rod saves children from death and hell; so, not using it chooses future pain and trouble for your children (Prov. 23:13-14).
True love is the sacrificial desire for the personal and spiritual welfare of another; it is doing what is necessary to help another person please God and men more perfectly. This love is only known by Christians and only taught in the Bible. Godly parents want their children to grow in favor with God and man, the highest goal possible for human existence. And they use the God-inspired and time-proven means to achieve that goal – the rod and reproof (Prov. 29:15). This is the highest degree of love a parent can have.
The world would be a better place if parents obeyed this proverb. But most have been brainwashed by educators, politicians, and the news media against corporal punishment. Though a serious problem is seen everywhere – a generation of haughty, lazy, rebellious, selfish, and narcissistic youth – the world hates God and Solomon’s wisdom in the Bible.
It is not out of hatred that a child is disciplined but out of love for that child. It is not out of hatred that the Lord chastens His children but a demonstration of His deep love towards us, for discipline brings growth and builds a Christ-like character.
May we never forget that the sufferings of this present time and the chastening we inevitably face, are not worthy to be compared with the glory, which shall be revealed to us.
CHALLENGES
- What attitude do you put up as a believer, in the face of trials and temptation?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord Jesus, help me to embrace the chastening rod of your Spirit in my life, so that I learn the lessons you want to teach me.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 14:22-35; 1 John 5:14-21; 2 John 1:1-13
ESOCS Devotional 15 December 2025
