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The Lord says in speaking to Laodicea: “I rebuke and discipline as many as I love” (Revelation 3: 19). It is to be noted here that the Lord speaks of rebuke and discipline. Rebuke is normally a verbal thing. Sometimes what is verbal is not enough; stronger methods need to be used. To refer to the Proverbs in this connection we have: “A servant is not corrected by words: he understandeth indeed, but he will not answer.” (Proverbs 29:19). However, the Lord’s chastening is said to be a blessed thing for the Psalmist says in one place: “Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth, O Jah” (Psalm 94:12). In the New Testament we have: “We are disciplined of [the] Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:32). |
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As to chastisement by man Proverbs says: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Proverbs 13:24). Betimes carries the meaning of in good time or early. The JND note says it is literally: “seeketh him earnestly (or ‘early’) with discipline.” Not to apply discipline is not a sign of love but the opposite. What this passage is telling us is that we not only ought to apply chastisement, but should apply it at the time the wrongful act has been committed and not long after. The writer of Ecclesiastes points out that “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). The writer of Proverbs warns of the ultimate consequence of lack of discipline saying of one: “He shall die for want of discipline; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray” (Proverbs 5:23). In another place he says: “Folly is bound in the heart of a child; the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.” (Proverbs 22:15). Again he says: “Withhold not correction from the child; for [if] thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die; thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from Sheol.” (Proverbs 23:13/14. Lastly: “Chasten thy son, and he shall give thee rest, and shall give delight unto thy soul” (Proverbs 29: 17). |
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As to Christ Himself, although it is not specifically said so far as I can trace that He was chastised or disciplined, we do know that He suffered: “He learned obedience from the things which He suffered” |