The ancient Hebrew verb YSR or yaw-sar is the principle verb for disciplinary action. It is defined as: “to chastise, lit. (with blows) or fig. (with words); hence to instruct…”* Further studies point towards Israel “becomes more educated when the proper amount of training and correction are imposed.”* God makes his point regarding the blessings of obedience tin Leviticus 26:1-13 and also his plans for disciplinary actions towards reformation for Israel in Lev. 26:14-33. Specifically three mentions of discipline to reformation happen in vv. 18, 23, and 28 of the aforementioned text. This is an act of a loving father according to Proverbs.
My son, despise nor the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction.
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Proverbs 3:11, 12 KJV
The prophets would attempt to make these words discipline clear so Israel would understand what God was trying to do for Israel:
“Wherefore will ye plead with me? Ye have all transgressed against me, saith the lord. In vain have I smitten your children; they received no correction: your own sword hath devoured your prophets, like a destroying lion. Jeremiah 2:29, 30 KJV
God could not be any more clear at this juncture that he desires to teach them. But that will be fleshed out at a later time.
There are intentions to titling this writing Yes Sir. One because Yes Sir phonetically sounds similar to the key verb YSR. Two because when one is casted, rebuked, corrected, or disciplined “Yes Sir” is the proper response from a child to a father.
* Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, Word Study of the Old Testament.
* Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon.
Tags: Discipline, God, Hebrew, Israel, Old Testament
