seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.
3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
5 The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
but the wicked make themselves a stench
and bring shame on themselves.
6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.
9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.
12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
but whoever respects a command is rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
turning a person from the snares of death.
turning a person from the snares of death.
15 Good judgment wins favor,
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]
but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.[a]
16 All who are prudent act with(b) knowledge,
but fools expose their folly.
but fools expose their folly.
17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
but whoever heeds correction is honored.
19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
but fools detest turning from evil.
but fools detest turning from evil.
20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
for a companion of fools suffers harm.
21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
but injustice sweeps it away.
but injustice sweeps it away.
24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.
a. Proverbs 13:15 Septuagint and Syriac; the meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
b. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through
Wow... verse 24 has been used by abusive parents for centuries and it still stings to see the original intent so badly distorted.
Rather than the regular commentaries.... I googled "how to use the Rod & Staff" the simplest reply was at animals.mom.me.
Livestock management will occasionally require keepers to move herds and catch single animals. A chief consideration in both of these is the animal's “flight zone”: the area around an animal where keepers move without spooking it. “Point of balance” is another important concept -- animals prefer that people stay shoulder-adjacent and will move to ensure this. The rod and staff allow the shepherd an “extended arm,” allowing control over an animal without breaching a sheep's flight zone or point of balance.
A shepherd's rod is a crafted club whittled from solid wood, often featuring an enlarged knob at the end. To use the rod defensively, simply lob the club toward a predatory animal to scare it away. Practice with your rod to improve heft and control over the weapon. Once skilled accuracy is achieved, toss it near sheep splintering from herd movement without compromising flight-zone-safe placement and your point of balance with the overall herd.
The staff -- more commonly referred to as a crook -- is indispensable for traditional shepherds. Grip the shaft of the staff's uncurved end, using the tool as an extended arm. A sheep has more power with his head pointed downward. So, minding your body's placement outside the flight zone and at the point of balance, reach the crook toward the animal's head. Hook the crooked end around the neck and pull the chin up, then move the animal back to the herd.
The staff is a shepherd's multipurpose tool, providing an array of services beyond catching. Fit the crooked end under your armpit and lean into it to remove weight from tired legs and feet. If your crooked end features a second, smaller, upward curve, shove the staff's stick-end into the ground; with the tool standing upright, hang a lantern on the little hook to create a lamp. When walking, grip the top shaft with one hand for use as a walking stick.
See... the rod wasn't a stick from the whipping bush. The rod wasn't the long tube from the floor vac. The rod wasn't hangers [remember Mommy Dearest]. The rod wasn't a substitute for a belt or a strap. Sheep were a commodity. It wasn't just the wool that held value. Sheep were necessary for food as well! If you beat meat too much you make it tough. Mutton [an old sheep] is tough enough.... a good shepherd wouldn't damage his flock by beating on them.... but he would sling a rod [with a club on the end] at a predator to protect the sheep. So.... a rod was an extended arm rather than an instrument of torture. The rod was used as a guide.... most of the time.... I've heard stories about how a shepherd would break a wondering sheep's legs and carry it around his neck to teach the sheep to stay with the crowd. Quite frankly... there are a lot of arguments on both sides of the argument. Would Jesus [the good shepherd] brake my legs to keep me in line? I'm not sure.....
I was beat as a child.... my mother and father were too.... and their parents before them.... it's how it was done.... I am a chain breaker.... when I found myself shaking my son.... I decided to change history. Now... my children don't beat their children. Oh they still get spankings and time out. I'm pretty sure there is a switch bush in one front yard.... but the grandchildren have never been beat. They don't cower in the corner.... they don't stand rather than sit because of raw stripes on their back, bottom, or legs. They are corrected.... the rod is there as an extended arm.... and all of my grandchildren are great kids.