Proverbs 29:15
The Rod and Reproof
1. In this proverb, Solomon makes a contrast between a child who is correctly disciplined throughout his childhood and one who is “left to himself.”
2. One is obviously better than the other. This is another “better than” proverb, even though it does not use the words “better than.”
A. The Rod
1. Rod defined:
a. Rod: A branch or stick used for various purposes.
b. The term is sometimes used of a shepherd’s staff (Lev. 27:32) or a royal scepter (Gen.49:10); a javelin (a long pointed stick used for hunting or warfare).
c. As a branch, it was also used of tribe or clan, in that a tribe or clan is a branch off the family tree.
d. In our proverb, the term rod clearly describes a stick used for the purpose of punishing or correcting.
2. Usages
a. A fool
• Prov. 10:13 – The fool has no understanding. No wisdom is found in his lips. The only way the fool learns wisdom is through pain—the rod of correction. It is the only language he understands.
• Prov. 26:3 – A rod is for the back of the fool. It is the only way to discipline such a person… because he is in some ways like an unbroken horse or a dumb donkey.
• Often it is the legal system that uses either a literal rod. (Pilgrims; Korea)
b. A son
• Prov. 13:24 – Sparing the rod spoils the child. It is not an expression of love but of hatred. It is not “wanting the best” but the worst for that child.
• Prov. 22:15 – Folly is bound in the heart of a child. Children, as cute as they are, are little sinners… and for the most part, little heathens! The rod of correction drives folly out of a young child. You can try other methods if you choose, but God says the rod is the method that works.
c. Figuratively of God using a figurative “stick” to chasten His wayward people, like a father chastening his son.
• It is used against Solomon (2 Sam. 7:14).
• God used a rod against Israel through Assyria (Isa. 10:24).
d. In each of these usages, the rod is a stick used for correction.
B. Reproof
1. Defined: An argument or reasoning used for correction; verbal correction; rebuke; speak words which show strong disapproval, with possible actions of punishment to follow.
2. There is one problem with reasoning, rebuke, or reproof: verbal reproof is not always effective.
a. Prov. 1:24-25 – “I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof.” They would (wanted) none of it!
b. Prov. 1:30-31 – “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.”
c. Prov. 3:11 – “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction.” Sometimes children despise the verbal correction of their parents.
d. Prov. 5:12-13 – “And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!” They hated and despised verbal rebukes.
e. Prov. 10:17 – “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.” Some refuse it – either refuse to listen or obey.
3. Those who reject it will pay a heavy price during life.
a. Prov. 12:1 – “he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
b. Prov. 13:18 – “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction.”
c. Prov. 15:10 – “he that hateth reproof shall die.”
d. Prov. 29:1 – “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
e. They may not pay the price immediately, but eventually it will catch up to them.
C. Give Wisdom
1. Solomon states that the rod and reproof give wisdom.
a. Note that Solomon did not say the “rod of reproof” or the “rod of correction,” as he does in Prov. 22:15.
• The “rod of correction” means the rod which is used for the purpose of correction.
• In 22:15 the point is that the rod corrects. It is ONE means used – the physical means of correction.
b. But in 29:15, Solomon wrote, the rod AND reproof.
c. Here the emphasis seems to be on the combination of the two.
d. We saw passages that indicate that verbal rebukes or reproofs are not always effective.
• Some children do not respond to words only.
• When they do respond in obedience to words alone, that is ideal, but it is not always the case.
• It is okay to use a verbal reproof if it results in the desired end – obedience.
• It is acceptable to reprove children without the rod. Some children respond well to a verbal reproof.
• If they respond to the verbal reproof, there is no need to use a rod. (If Johnny steps into the road and you rebuke him and tell him not to do that any more and if he responds, then the reproof is all you need.)
• But kids don’t always respond properly to a reproof.
• Some hate reproof; they despise it; they will not respond to it; they “set it at naught.” (outright rejection)
• It’s ok to reprove without the rod if the reproof works.
• But reproof is not always enough.
• Eli reproved his sons (I Sam. 2:22-25), but did not restrain them with a rod (I Sam.3:13).
• It is never ok to use the rod without the verbal reproof and reasoning… assuming the child is old enough to reason with.
e. The point of Prov. 29:15 is that when the verbal reproof is COMBINED with the physical rod (spanking) is much more effective.
2. The combination of the two gives WISDOM.
a. That’s what every parent wants for their children.
b. Parents reprove their children because they want the best for them… because they want them to ultimately become self-disciplined human beings… respectful… obedient… and wise.
c. Give defined: Delivers; distributes; grants; give; place or set an object in place; produces; (various shades of meaning).
d. The rod and reproof produce wisdom in the child… deliver to him the wisdom he needs… it sets or places wisdom in his heart.
e. Prov. 13:18 – “he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
f. Prov. 15:5 – “he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
g. Prov. 15:31-32 – “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
1. In contrast to the wisdom that is the result of the rod and reproof is the SHAME that is the result of NOT using the rod and reproof.
2. The child “left to himself” is the child who is not disciplined or trained.
a. This speaks of a permissive mother who overindulges her child.
b. He (or she) is allowed to do as he pleases. He is allowed to run wild and uncontrolled.
c. And while he is not being formally trained, he is by default being trained in another way.
d. He is being trained to be a self-willed person… to get his own way… to continue to believe that the world revolves around him.
e. Left to himself, a child’s unrestrained sin nature will bring ruin to the child.
3. The result of this lack of training brings shame to his mother.
a. Prov. 28:7 – “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.” Dad is blamed too—not just the mother.
b. If a child becomes self-willed and leads a sinful life BECAUSE his parents did not train or discipline him (both verbally and physically with a rod), then shame on those parents!
c. But we should note that sometimes, even with good training and good, consistent discipline, a child (who has a will of his own) will sometimes CHOOSE to reject all counsel and training.
d. In that case, shame on the child, not the parents. They did what God commanded them to do. They are to be praised.
e. A set of parents could have identical twins, give them both the exact same teaching and training, the same discipline, the same school, the same home, the same church, the same everything… and one could become a faithful missionary and the other could become a serial killer.
f. There are no guarantees with kids—not when every human being has his own free will to make choices in life.
4. The shame that Solomon describes here has nothing to do with how the child turned out.
a. The shame has to do with whether the child was left to himself or not.
b. In other words, the shame is connected to whether the parents fulfilled their role in reproving bad behavior and using the rod to correct it.
5. In light of the consequences of not disciplining a child, consider Solomon’s words:
a. “Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. 14Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” (Prov. 23:13-14)