Discipline, Chastening and Love?

This morning I am reminded of a reflection from a few days back, looking at discipline, chastening and the original language.  I didn’t have a chance to finish that bit so will try this morning.  Here are the verses for this morning - Hebrews 12:4-11 NIV:

[4] “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? 

It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, 

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 

[6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, 

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 

[7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? [8] If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! [10] They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

I know these are verses that certainly don’t sound like an encouragement, as indicated by the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, but I believe that is because we read into them our modern understanding of the English words.  The motivation of the Father is Agape Love (verse 6).  Thus, we must read the words disciplines and chastens from the point of that motivation.

One thing to note, verse 5 and 6 are a quotation of Proverbs 3: 11-12.  I decided to look at those verses and there we find a much “softer” original language translation.

Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV

[11] “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, [12] because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Here we find the Hebrew translation for the word rebuke:

Strong's Definitions: מוּסָר mûwçâr, moo-sawr'; from H3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint:—bond, chastening(-eth), chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

And Disciplines:

Strong's Definitions: יָכַח yâkach, yaw-kahh'; a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict:—appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.

And finally love:

Strong's Definitions: אָהַב ʼâhab, aw-hab'; or אָהֵב ʼâhêb ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise):—(be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. 

As we look at these words, there is definitely a more positive perspective, especially if we look at the root motivation of love, or deep affection, as the Proverbs notes at the end of verse 12 for added context.  

This is not an angry father beating his child, flogging them because they have made a mistake or done wrong.  This is a father who absolutely delights in his child, bringing education, training and showing the child how to do it correctly, for their own good. The Father is intimately involved working with the child to show them the right way, helping them by way of His greater experience to understand.  

We must also note that this picture, the one of a father and son, is repeated and revealed by Jesus in His parable of the Prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), as well as in His description of the Father found in Matthew 6 & 7 during His sermon on the mount.  It is so important that we take into account the totality of the scriptural revelation when ascribing action and motivation to the Father.  

The Father is loving. 

John says God IS love (1 John 4:8).

This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t bring correction, but His motivation and methodology are consistent, for all of us.  We know that God hates sin, and without getting into some list of things, we must remember how He handles sin, as revealed through Jesus’ life!

In summary, God does help us and correct us, but He does so to help us walk the path He has for us, to help us fulfill our purpose, that which we were made to do.  We see the Father doing exactly this in the parable of the Prodigal son.  The Father welcomed the son back by running to him, embracing him and restoring him to his identity, and right purpose.  In this case, the Father didn’t have to rebuke or correct because the son had come to his senses.  In our life we should be grateful that the Lord brings correction and training on the front side, so that we don’t walk through a terrible season of separation from Him.

This morning I am actually encouraged that the Father does love me, and I see that in His correction, direction, guidance and occasional rebuke.  He never deals with me in anger, but as a son He delights in, and for that I am so very grateful. 

Lord, I pray that You would help me to see, to lay down my pride so that I might be guided, directed, trained up in discipline, that I might fulfill all that tYou have for me to do!

Amen and Amen!