She Hugs Her Young Ones to Death
God uses the rod of correction to prevent further folly, mischief, and misery in the lives of children.
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.
Text
"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.
Sermon Outline
- The Purpose of Correction
- The Importance of the Rod
- The Consequences of Neglecting Correction
- Fond parents can slay their children
- Children can become the brood of the serpent
Key Quotes
“She hugs her young ones to death; so many fond parents, by not correcting their children, they come to slay their children.” — Thomas Brooks
“The rod is to purge out that vanity and folly that is bound up in the heart of the child.” — Thomas Brooks
“He who spares his rod hates his son; but he who loves him chastens him often.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Parents should not spare the rod, but use it as an ordinance to correct their children.
- Correction is necessary to prevent pride, self-love, worldliness, and other evils from taking hold in the heart of a child.
- Neglecting correction can lead to the ruin of children and even undo their souls.