Proverbs 22

v.1-15 2 verses today about training children v.6 Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. and v.15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him. Perhaps the view of the Scriptures is different from what you think. Man is born sinner and the folly is in the nature of a child. Think about all the description of fool/wise in the proverbs. Children are like that unless someone teaches them. Therefore, parents, you need to make up our mind to train them v.6. NET notes, "to train up; to dedicate...This proverb pictures a child who is dedicated by parents to the LORD and morally trained to follow him." Note the contrast between "child" and "old" in v.6. If we do it early in their lives it will reap a good harvest later. NET, "The expected consequence of such training is that it will last throughout life. The sages were confident of the character-forming quality of their training. However, proverbs are not universal truths. One can anticipate positive results from careful child-training—but there may be an occasional exception." With this background, v. 15 said, physical punishment is the mean for the training. It is not for the parents to vent out the anger or abuse. NET, "The word “rod” is a metonymy of adjunct; it represents physical chastening for direction or punishment, to suppress folly and develop potential." Christians writer developed some rules regarding physical punishment. Set up a set of procedures with your child. Give them enough warning before the phy punishment. If the punishment needs to be done find a private place (not in public). Explain to them why they will be punished. Force needs to be age-appropriated. After the punishment let them know that you love them and hug them. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/why-parents-spank and read "shepherding your child's heart." v.16-29 From v.17 we see a new section begins. NET, "Verses 17–21 form the introduction, and then the sayings begin in v. 22. After the thirty sayings are given, there are further sayings in 24:23–34." After the introduction in v.17-21, the first counsel is about the poor, v.22 Do not exploit a poor person because he is poor; and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will plead their case; and will rob those who are robbing them. In v.22, I noticed that the reason why someone will exploit the poor is "because he is poor." NET, "Robbing or oppressing the poor is easy because they are defenseless." Crusting the poor in the court is not hard to do because they are not being respected in society. On one hand, we will see that the sinfulness of our hearts. On the other hand, Scriptures remind us the reality: the LORD will help them. How? NET, "How the LORD will do this is not specified—either through righteous people or by direct intervention." Is God using you today to plead the case for the poor? Apply this principle in general, are we doing something to help the poor?

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