Fri.'s Devo - The Rod

Read Pro. 13:24
I've always heard this verse in connection to why we spank our children but I think it has much more to say than that. In the Hebrew the word rod means a stick for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc. or figuratively a clan: correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. So not only is it is a stick for punishing but for training. The last part of the verse says that he instructs and corrects his son early at any task. So, this father spends time with his son teaching him through written instruction or oral debate. He assumes his leadership as the head of the household and he teaches by his own walk in life. When a Jewish boy hit the age of 13 he entered into manhood and into the family business so if a father didn't spend time teaching it then he was considered a dad who hated his son. He was not spreading his rod of authority to his son. This rod was also a positive thing because it stood for the sceptre or staff of that clan. It was an honor to get the father's rod. God used the example of Aaron's rod blooming to show that he was the man God had chosen to be a priest. All the patriarchs carried their rod everywhere they went and when they stretched it out it carried power and authority. It was their identity. For a father not to pass that authority down to his son would be dishonoring to the son. God said that when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we would not need to fear evil because he would be with us and his rod would comfort us.
Lord, help us to welcome your rod of correction and your rod of inheritance. Let it be a comfort to us and a reminder of your great love for us.