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  SHE HUGS HER YOUNG ONES TO DEATH
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: God uses the rod of correction to prevent further folly,
mischief, and misery in the lives of children.

Topics: "Spiritual Guidance", "Parental Discipline"
Scripture References: Proverbs 13:24, Proverbs 22:15, Proverbs 23:13-14

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the necessity of parental correction in his
sermon 'She Hugs Her Young Ones to Death.' He warns that failing to
discipline children can lead to their spiritual demise, comparing
negligent parents to an ape that hugs its young to death. Brooks cites
Proverbs 23:13-14, explaining that the rod of correction is essential to
prevent folly and misery in children, and that it is a divine ordinance
meant to guide them away from sin. He illustrates the consequences of
neglecting this duty through the examples of Eli and David, who lost
their sons due to their fondness and lack of discipline. Ultimately,
Brooks asserts that true love for a child involves consistent and
prayerful correction.

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CONTENT
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"Withhold not correction from the child, for if you beat

him with the rod, he shall not die. You shall beat him

with the rod, and shall deliver his soul from hell."

Proverbs 23:13-14

God uses the rod to prevent further folly, mischief, and

misery. It is said of the ape, that she hugs her young

ones to death; so many fond parents, by not correcting

their children, they come to slay their children. The best

way to prevent their being scourged with scorpions in hell,

is to chastise them with the rod here.

So God takes up the rod; He afflicts and chastises His

dearest children, but it is to prevent soul-mischief and

misery; it is to prevent pride, self-love, worldliness, etc.

The rod is to purge out that vanity and folly that is bound

up in the heart of the child. Proverbs 22:15, "Foolishness is

bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction

shall drive it far from him." The rod is an ordinance, as

well as the word; and such parents who use it as an

ordinance--praying and weeping over it--shall find it

effectual for the chasing away of evil out of their children's

heart. Eli and David were two very choice men, and yet, by

their fondness on one hand, and neglect of this ordinance

on the other hand, they ruined their sons; and whether

they did not undo their souls, I shall not at this time

stand to inquire.

When Moses cast away his rod, it became a serpent; and

so, when parents cast away the rod of correction, it is ten

to one but that their children become the brood of the

serpent: Proverbs 13:24, "He who spares his rod hates his

son; but he who loves him chastens him often." Not only

the care, but also the cure of the child--so far as the rod

will reach--lies upon the hands of the parent.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/she-hugs-her-young-ones-to-death/
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