“Disciplinam Domini, fili mi, ne abjicias, nec deficias cum ab eo corriperis :”
“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:”
“My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;”
“My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof:”
“My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:”
This is not the way to diminish thy estate, as covetous and profane persons allege, but rather to increase it. shall be so filled, that they would burst out, if not carefully prevented.
Him. Correction is rather a proof of love than of anger, Psalm iii. 19. (Calmet) — God thus shews that he approves of his servants; and therefore his other promises, which seem of a temporal nature, must be understood with reference to the next life. (Worthington)
III. We must conduct ourselves aright under our afflictions, v. 11, 12. This the apostle quotes (Heb 12 5), and calls it an exhortation which speaks unto us as unto children, with the authority and affection of a father. We are here in a world of troubles. Now observe,
Verses 7-12 There is not a greater enemy to the fear of the Lord in the heart, than self-conceit of our own wisdom. The prudence and sobriety which religion teaches, tend not only to the health of the soul, but to the health of the body. Worldly wealth is but poor substance, yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it; and those that do good with what they have, shall have more to do more good with. Should the Lord visit us with trials and sickness, let us not forget that the exhortation speaks to us as to children, for our good. We must not faint under an affliction, be it ever so heavy and long, not be driven to despair, or use wrong means for relief. The father corrects the son whom he loves, because he loves him, and desires that he may be wise and good. Afflictions are so far from doing God's children any hurt, that, by the grace of God, they promote their holiness.