Learning From God's Example of Chastisement

Learning from God’s Example of Chastisement Hebrews 12:1-9

This passage of scripture exhorts the Christian in so many areas. Coming off chapter 11 which is the faith chapter of the Bible and encouraging us to have faith and giving us the hall of faithful men an women, he then tells us in verse 1 he reminds us of the testimonies of those great saints of yesteryear that they should encourage us to go on and live for God.

That we ought to lay aside of every weight – lay aside everything that slows us down in the race, that cumbers us and that wears us out quickly, He also of course mentions that we should lay aside every sin that trips us up and besets us from going the right way.

Then verse two encourages us to look ever to Jesus Christ, for he is the author and finisher of our faith.

He tells us to endure temptation

In verse 5 it says to remember the exhortation – well that exhortation is found in Proverbs 3:11-12

Proverbs 3:11–12 (AV)

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

We are encouraged herein to also look to Christ’s endurance, vv.2-3

Not only that we are encouraged to continue our walk and not give in to temptation, but to stay faithful – he said that we have not yet resisted unto blood.

I. God’s Steps of legislating Chastisement

Legislate means: to mandate, establish, or regulate by

God is the setter of rules, it is he that administers the chastisement and regulates it.

He does it in certain steps, His Word confirms that fact.

A. God speaks to us

This can come in varying levels depending on how God is choosing to work and how we are responding.

Some times God speaks softly:

1 Kings 19:12 AV

And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Sometimes the Bible refers to the fact that God speaks with strength especially in prophecy such as in Rev 4:1 and in Psa 68:3 amongst many others.

But it is not the strength of the voice that matters as much as the message that God is delivering to us in his correction.

Friend, when God speaks to you through His Word, through the preaching of His Word, through a friend’s counsel - in whatever way God speaks to us, follow it, receive the correction, the gentle chastisement, because that is the best way.

B. God spanks us

Psalm 23:4 AV

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Have you ever consider the rod and staff, I’m sure you have. I have heard it said that the rod was for discipline and the staff was for guidance and direction. While that is possibly true - I think it is more likely this. The Rod was meant for defense against attacking animals or foes. It was used as a weapon.

Whereas the staff was meant for the sheep. Can I tell you that the staff was never to be used as a weapon. The shepherd loved his sheep, so he would use the staff to deal with the sheep in various way as to nudge that back, to get them going, or to use the hooked end to bring them back quickly.

Remember, that staff is to be used for guidance and teaching. While punishment is always a result of disobedience, God nor we ever discipline our children just to punish - but to teach, direct, and discipline.

C. God scourges us

When we people are scourged, it can be brutal, it can be bloody, it almost always leaves scars.

It could also be called a flogging. Scourging causes not only physical long term effects but also mental ones. A scourging is not something that ones soon forgets.

Michael Fay was an 18 year old who had to endure a scourging in Singapore back in 1994. They used a large thick Rattan that was soaked in water, and a trained martial arts person would administer the punishment. He ended up only receiving 6 strokes because President Clinton asked for leniency, and out of respect they lowered the number he was going to give.

That caning leaves scars for life.

I’m not saying that we should ever scourge our children in any such manner - but sometimes as the result of rebellion and terrible irreversible harm that is to come if one does not turn - a scourging from God may be what is next.

It is not a choice God wants to make nor any parent wants to - but some situations demand it.

I’ll give you two examples in this room. I got a real scourging once - not that left scars, but a good beating, still remember it. It was when I almost burnt the house down. Guess what, I deserved it - it was time to get my attention as a youngster and it worked.

I think of Cleves Perry. He got that scourging when he was young and lay in the hospital on his death bed, God finally got his attention concerning the way he was going.

II. The Benefits of Chastisement

The Bible teaches in this passage that chastisement comes for the Christian. You should not be alarmed by it, it should not discourage you to a point where you want to give up. Rather it should bless you. You need to look at it and understand that the Bibles says that if you are chastised, then it is apparent that you are a child of God.

He warns us here that if you do not get chastening, then you are not a son of his. So there is actually a danger in not being chastised.

Chastisement is not necessarily punishment, it is legislated exercise.

It is something that is actually necessary and good for the Christian. It is to be understood that it helps you to follow God and do what he says.

A. Joy

Job 5:17 AV

Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

B. Restoration

Job 5:18 AV

For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

C. Confirmation

It confirms our relationship with God

Proverbs 3:11–12 AV

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Hebrews 12:7 AV

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

D. Righteousness

Hebrews 12:11 AV

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

III. Three Responses to God’s Chastisement

These are the responses that we will give to the chastisement of God.

A. Ignore or Deny

The idea being that either I deny I’m being chastised or I to ignore that it is going on.

We would be very wise though to recognize that you are being chastised is to admit that you are wrong in some area.

To admit that you are being chastised is to admit that there is area for improvement in your life and walk with the Lord. To ignore or deny only brings the lesson

B. To Rebel

1 Samuel 15:23 AV

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

C. To Give Up

To throw in the towel on your service and dedication to the Lord

Hebrews 12:5 AV

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

D. To Receive and Learn the lesson Patiently

IV. Application to our Children

Same outline.

The truth is, looking at point number III. Our children can respond to chastisement just as we do.

They can try to ignore or deny that they did anything wrong.

They can rebel against the chastisement - God doesn’t let us win, nor should we let our kids win.

They can give up, and become defeated and depressed - throw in the towel of trying to please or do right. That is where parents need wisdom to know when to let up.

Hopefully they will learn to receive it patiently and learn the lesson.

II. They have the benefits of chastisement

They can have joy, restoration, confirmation that they are their children and they are loved, and right living in their lives.

I. Hopefully they can learn as time goes - that just a look from their parents should be enough of a chastisement. That when their spoken to - they should certainly respond. Then hopefully at worst they take their spanking and never do they need a scourging.

We have always had choices to make. At RUI a few weeks ago, Bro. Griffin spoke, and preached about choices. It was a good messages, our choices we make today are going to effect tomorrow. Our choices are going to bless us or curse us. That goes for our children as well.

Added to that, we are going to need to realize that God has given us the ability to reason and to make decisions, but ultimately, the longer we continue in our sin, the worse the level of chastisement gets.

What does God have to do to you to get you to do right.

Revelation 3:19 AV

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Learning from God’s Example of Chastisement Hebrews 12:1-9