How does God discipline His Son, the nation of Israel, according to Hebrews and II Samuel 7?
According to II Samuel 7:14, God says He will be Israel's father and Israel His son, and if iniquity comes, He will discipline. Hebrews compares this to an earthly father's discipline. God uses other nations, the rod of men, and the stripes of children of men, yet His mercy will not depart.
Les explains from II Samuel 7 that God is the speaker, promising David that He will establish his seed's kingdom. Verse 14's father-son language applies to the nation of Israel as God's son. Hebrews makes plain that a good earthly father disciplines his children, and God does the same with His Son, Israel. The discipline comes through other nations, the rod of men, and the stripes of children of men. But verse 15 begins "But": no matter how far or unbelieving Israel falls, God's mercy shall not depart. History shows God chastened them time after time, yet they remain under His thumb.
I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
What is the father-son covenant promise God makes in II Samuel 7:14?
II Samuel 7:14 records God's covenant promise: I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If the son commits iniquity, God will discipline him with the rod of men and stripes of men, but His mercy shall not depart from them.
What does 2 Samuel 7:14 mean when it says 'if He commit iniquity, I will chasten Him with the rod of men'?
It means God will discipline Israel, His son, when they commit iniquity, using human instruments—the 'rod of men' and 'stripes of the children of men.' Israel repeatedly experienced this chastening, as in the book of Judges, yet God never gave up on them.
More Questions
How does God discipline Israel according to 2 Samuel 7:14?
God will discipline His Son, the nation of Israel, just as a good earthly father disciplines his children, as Hebrews makes plain.
What does 2 Samuel 7:14 say about chastening, and has Israel experienced it?
In 2 Samuel 7:14 God says of David's descendant, 'if he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men,' and Israel has indeed committed iniquity and God has chastened them.