Injustice Sweeps It Away

Proverbs 13:21-24 – Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things. A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. An unplowed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away. Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

Ezekiel 18:4 – For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.

Amos 2:7 – They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.

2 Samuel 7:14 – I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.

Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Hebrews 12:7 – Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

Application:

• ·         Ezekiel spoke out against a false use the people were making of a doctrine of inherited guilt.
• ·         To care for the poor and oppressed and to protect the poor and oppressed from injustice were clearly commanded by Israel’s law; also, throughout the ancient Near East, kings were supposed to defend such people.
• ·         Parents are encouraged to apply the rod of punishment to drive out folly so that the child will not follow a path of destruction. The rod and a reprimand “impart wisdom” and promote a healthy and happy family life.
• ·         Discipline is rooted in love.
• ·         Fathers must surrender any right they may feel they have to act unreasonably toward their children.
• ·         God’s discipline is evidence that we are His children. Far from being a reason for despair, discipline is a basis for encouragement and perseverance

All Scripture verses taken from NIV