Character Studies in Proverbs : Lesson #6 Why are we Chastened

(Proverbs 3:11-18)

In this lesson we are going to deal with the subject of the chastening of the Lord. The Lord chastens us for the same reasons that our parents chasten us. First of all it is out of love and concern for our well being. It is also for our benefit in regards to growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Christ Jesus.

One might ask exactly what is chastening. God chastens us with many different methods. It is just like parents who use different methods of punishments depending upon what has been done. Sometimes a reprimand will do and other times there is a need for a more serious punishment. Therefore any time that God punishes us it will fit under the category of chastisement.

Chastisement is never any fun but it is needed in all our lives. It is important for us to understand why God chastens us because how we react when we are chastened shows a lot about what kind of character we have. So the next time that you are rebuked for something remember that you are about to reveal your character in your reaction.

A companion passage for the one we are studying is Hebrews 12:5-7. Now let us compare both of these passages to show some truths about the chastening of the Lord.

Proverbs 3:11-13 :

• Here we are told not to despise or be weary of the chastening of the Lord (verse 11). This is very interesting because most of the time we get mad if we are rebuked or chastened even though we know what we did was wrong. This should reveal to us a character flaw that we all have.
• Chastening is done out of love (verse 12). If God or our parents were not concerned about us or concerned about how we would turn out they would not chastens us. Even though chastening is hard to endure it should reveal to us the love of someone who cares.
• It is connected with getting wisdom (verse 13). When we respond to chastening the way that we should we will receive some wisdom and as we will see later in this lesson this is one of the great benefits of chastening.

Hebrews 12:5-11 :  

• Once again we are told not to despise the chastening of the Lord. But also here in Hebrews we are told not to faint either (verse 5). Now the word faint here means quit. Therefore we should not quit just because God is chastening us. Once again we see the character flaw in us because many people whether they are working in the church or playing a sport or are in a position of leadership will get mad and quit when they are reprimanded or chastened for something.
• Chastening is connected with being a son (verses 6-9). Now this is very important because parents only chasten their own kids. Therefore if you are not being chastened by God you are either perfect or you do not belong to him. God only chastens those who are born again and are his children. Therefore when we are chastened of the Lord at least we know that we are his.
• We also see that chastening is connected with us profiting from it (verses 10-11). There are many benefits for us when we are chastened, but if we don’t accept chastening with the right attitude we will not receive the benefits that God has for us.

Benefits that we can receive from the Chastening of the Lord :

1)  Note that in Hebrews 12:10 that through chastening we can be partakers of God’s holiness.                                                 In us we know that there is no holiness therefore through the chastening and correction of God we can fulfill 1 Peter1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy/ for I am holy.”

2)  In Hebrews 12:11 we see that when the chastening of the Lord is exercised in us it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Now the word exercised is an interesting word because it is something that cannot be done just once but has to be repeated daily for it to really benefit us. This matches a verse in Proverbs 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left ot himself bringeth his mother to shame”.

3)  In Proverbs 3:13 we see that one of the benefits of chastening is getting wisdom, and in the following verses we see what a benefit that wisdom is to those who have it.

Wisdom is better that gold or silver (verse14)

Wisdom is more precious than fine jewels (verse 15)

Wisdom has length of days in her right hand and riches and honor in her left (verse 16)

Wisdom has pleasant paths and way of peace connected with it (verse 17)

Wisdom is a tree of life and brings happiness to those who have it (verse 18)

Let us keep this in mind the next time we are being chastened by the Lord. Instead of getting angry or quitting let us think of it as an opportunity to receive wisdom and the other benefits that are gained by being chastened by the Lord.

Character Studies in Proverbs : Lesson #6 Handout Why are we Chastened

(Proverbs 3:11-18)

1)  What is a companion passage in the New Testament  for the one we are studying in Proverbs?

2)  What do we see from the passages about the chastening of the Lord?

Proverbs 3: 11-13

          Hebrews 12:5-11

3)  What is the significant thing about chastening of the Lord being connected with being a child of God?

4)  List the profits of being chastened by the Lord. Give references.