Proclaim the Gospel to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Shalom and welcome to the Everlasting Nation, a radio ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions, bringing you another radio Bible program. We continue with our series about how to rear godly children. Solomon gave extensive advice on this subject throughout the Book of Proverbs. He recognized the importance of departing discipline when rearing children. He exhorted his son in Proverbs chapter 22 to, quote, train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it, unquote. Three basic forms of discipline exist, preventive discipline, supportive discipline, and corrective discipline. Preventive discipline occurs when teachers impose guidelines upon their students. This process involves instructors clearly explaining their expectations to their students. God did this with Joshua in the first chapter of the book by that name. He told the Israelite commander that, quote, This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night. that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein." Supportive discipline results when teachers issue warnings which give their students an opportunity to correct bad behavior before they experience punishment for it. According to 2 Kings Chapter 17, God repeatedly sent prophets to the Israelites, warning the Jewish people to turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes." When that approach proved ineffective, God imposed corrective discipline upon the Jewish nation. Again, the author of 2 Kings chapter 17 commented how, quote, Solomon realized that inculcating discipline in a child might entail the imposition of corporeal punishment. In Proverbs chapter 22, he remarked that, quote, foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him, unquote. Solomon further advised parents in Proverbs chapter 19 to, quote, chasten thy son while there is hope. and let not thy soul spare for his crying." That statement implied that the application of correction would produce pain to its recipient. Nevertheless, according to Proverbs chapter 23, parents should, quote, withhold not correction from the child, for if thou beatest him with the rod he shall not die, unquote. Solomon added that by so doing, parents would, quote, deliver his soul from hell, unquote. When he penned that particular maxim, perhaps Solomon reflected upon the fate of his older brother, Adonijah. David, who was Adonijah's father, did not seem to have taught Adonijah to accept correction. The writer of 1 Kings chapter 1 explicitly stated that David, quote, had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so? This lack of externally imposed restraint encouraged Adonijah to lay claim to the throne of Israel while his own father was on his deathbed. Adonijah did this rather than acquiesce to his father's choice of Solomon to be his chosen successor as king. Bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord sometimes requires disciplining them. Though the process might prove unpleasant, to say the least, from the child's perspective, the process will produce, as the author of Hebrews chapter 12 put it, quote, the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby, unquote. This is Mark Oshman with the International Board of Jewish Missions. presenting another Radio Bible program. You've been listening to The Everlasting Nation, a ministry of International Board of Jewish Missions. For more information, you can contact us at 423-876-8150 or go online to ibjm.org. Until next time, may God bless and Shalom!