Message summary: Among the clearest of Biblical mandates for a father is the discipline of his children.

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"Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it" (Hebrews 12:7-9).

There are destructive fads now that are practically unimaginable just 20 years ago. One current fad is "Teen Takeovers" which may be at a mall, a street or a beach. In these takeovers scores of young people (probably some older than teens) essentially invade a space with loud, inconsiderate and rowdy behavior and worse.

Here's a description from AI (which seems to be what you get in a search these days): "These events typically involve hundreds or even thousands of teens converging on downtown areas, parks, beaches, malls, or restaurants. While some are simply social hangouts, others have escalated into fights, street racing, vandalism, robberies, and gunfire. The gatherings are often coordinated through platforms like TikTok and Instagram, enabling rapid mobilization."

When we go the beach (or as many refer to "the shore" in the east,) we expect it to be very busy but in our experience there has still been a basic level of consideration. As I read these accounts I can't imagine the average family wanting to stay around during these beach takeovers even apart from the possibility of violence. As we have often heard during the breakdown of the social order, "that's why we can't have nice things anymore".

This last weekend there were more reports of beach takeovers. I was watching a news report showing the chaos and at the end the reporter asked, "Where are the fathers?"*

He hit the nail on the head!

Among the clearest of Biblical mandates for a father is the discipline of his children. In fact the daily text presumes that readers had a knowledge and experience of a father's discipline. "For what children are not disciplined by their father?" Well, now we would have to answer, "a lot of them". What a sign of our decadent times that so many children have never experienced the discipline of a father, in fact many have never even met their biological father!

We are both thankful for the discipline our earthly fathers used in our upbringing! The Bible presents discipline as a loving, intentional act, rooted in care, aimed at wisdom, and designed to build a child’s character. Fathers are called to combine correction with instruction, ensuring their discipline reflects God’s own patient and loving discipline.

In the law Moses commanded that parents (in this case the text does not specify fathers) are to "Impress them (His commandments) on your children" (Deuteronomy 6:7). This is foundational to good discipline.

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” (Proverbs 3:11–12). This was later used in the context of our daily text.

“Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death” (Proverbs 19:18). This little known verse (I don't recall ever musing on it) is a key. Other versions render it: "Discipline your son in his early years while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin his life".  "Correct your children while there is still hope; do not let them destroy themselves".  "Train your children, because then there is hope. Don’t do anything to bring about their deaths".

Ephesians 6:4 states, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord". The Bible teaches that a father’s discipline is an act of love, aimed at guiding children toward godly character and a right relationship with God.

The final verse in the Old Testament lovingly describes the need we have in our age. "And He will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers”. Let us pray we may see this restoration.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13.

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber