What Kind of Discipline Does God Do?
…for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. -Proverbs 3:12
When Janice was about 9, her family began to notice that she was sitting closer to the television. Her teacher had also noticed Janice squinting from the back of the class trying to read the chalkboard—because apparently this is 1956 and people still use chalkboards. Janice has, unfortunately, inherited her parent’s poor eyesight. She was appalled at the thought of having to wear those big ugly glasses to her 3rd grade class. But her family did what needed to be done, bought her the coke bottles to improve her eyesight, and made her endure the taunts of short-sighted bullies in her class. The parents did something that was painful for Janice for her good.
Chuck likes to talk like a pirate and wear a cape to the grocery store. Yeah, I know those don’t exactly go together. But in his imaginative mind, they do. He’s quite the story-teller, especially for a six-year-old. On this one particular day as he’s getting ready to head out with his mom, his father chides him for dressing like an idiot. “Chuck, you’re embarrassing me. Normal people don’t wear capes and talk like pirates. You aren’t on a grand adventure; you’re going to the grocery store. Grow up a little and put on some normal clothes.” The tears well up in his little eyes and he sulks into his room to change into “normal” people attire.
There is clearly a difference between those two types of discipline, isn’t there? One is painful but for the child. The other is painful and for the adult. Now if Chuck were 19 and failing to get a job because of the unnecessary eye-patch, maybe we could argue it’s for his good. But he’s six. His imagination isn’t hurting anyone except dad’s fragile ego. In fact, this lecture likely did more harm to Chuck’s view of self than any public cape-wearing ever could have done.
What type of discipline does God do with us?
Now, I know that you’re going to be inclined to say it’s the first one. Mostly, because that second one feels so icky and you don’t like the thought of a god so petty. But are you sure? What do we do with this prevalent thread that runs throughout the Scripture that heralds God’s passion for His own glory? If the “sons” are a reflection of the father and the son is out talking like a pirate and wearing a cape, does that not communicate a lie about the father? Doesn’t it tell other people that God is some imaginative fool?
Is God’s discipline of Israel not at least partially about making sure they are communicating the truth about Him to the nations?
This is why we say things we do about embarrassing God or being a bad witness. We’re acknowledging that our behavior isn’t squaring with who God is, and it’s causing a hit to His reputation. At least we used to talk this way—we don’t seem to emphasize that aspect much these days. (And maybe rightly so). But there is one important distinction here, we aren’t talking about talking like a pirate and wearing a cape. Our finitude is never what God rebukes. It’s always our sin.
Sin ultimately destroys us. Which means that God’s rebuke of our sin is also putting His discipline in that first category. Yes, God is concerned about His reputation—but even this is ultimately for our benefit as well. To believe a lie about God is deadly for us. Making sure His image-bearers are accurately reflecting Him is also for our joy and our good.
This is what Proverbs 3:12 is telling us about God’s reproof. He reproves those he loves, as the father in whom the son delights. He doesn’t delight in the discipline but He disciplines because of delight. The Father loves us and wants what is best for us. Sin is never going to be that. His discipline isn’t meant to make us sulk in our room and take off our capes. It’s not meant to ultimately shame but as an expression of deep love. It starts and ends with His delight. Which means we really shouldn’t come out of God’s discipline thinking, “What is wrong with me!!!” But rather in awe that God delights in us, and that is why He is molding us and shaping us into His image.