“Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy.” Is 54:16

I have a confession: We spanked our kids. Not every day. Not willy-nilly. Not with excessive force. Not in anger. I know, “enlightened” psychologists wouldn’t condone our methods. I know, some sixty “progressive” nations have outlawed corporal punishment. I know, there are many for whom spanking combines with other parenting practices and behaviors to be truly abusive. But when God’s Word clearly states we must not “spare the rod”, it trumps everything and everyone else. And God forbid we judge any action by its abuses. 

No serious student of the Bible can deny that God spanks his kids too. Not with spatulas and wooden spoons, mind you. How about a judicious use of “time outs”, or sending them to their rooms? I guess you might consider seventy years of exile in Babylon a kind of divine equivalent! 

If you are like me, you quickly gloss over Is 54:16 so you can get to the thrilling and familiar promise of v.17. Who doesn’t like to hear “No weapon formed against you will prosper”? Did I hear an Amen! But it is good to be reminded that context matters. What weapon is Isaiah referring to? Some verbal attack by an offended friend or family member? Or maybe a colleague being critical of our decisions, or leadership style, or wardrobe? An insensitive IG post? Certainly something unjust, or even malicious, right? 

You may be surprised to discover the “weapon” was actually formed in The Lamb’s Blacksmith Shop. God says, “I have created” the instruments used to punish you, Israel. He is the one who authorized the “spoiler to destroy”, also translated a ravager, a waster, and a destroyer to wreak havoc. Although we much prefer to see God as our Good Shepherd who makes us lie down in verdant pastures (which, of course, He does!), the truth is there are also times when He is forging tools to whack or restrain us. Ouch!

If we fail to rightly discern the Source of our present predicament, we are in danger of rebuking the Lord for sending us a gift meant to cause us to grow more mature and strong. We may resist a rod sent to discipline us, intended “for our profit” and to produce in us “the peaceable fruits of righteousness” (see Heb 12:7-11), thinking that it is an attack against us from our adversary. 

This is not to deny there are times when Satan comes after us to kill, steal, and destroy. But beloved, be warned lest you fail to see God’s Hand at work bringing afflictions upon you to prove, sharpen, and awaken something in you (see Is 54:11-13). God is even big enough to use the Devil to promote His purposes when He wants! As much as I have benefitted from engaging in spiritual warfare, I have also learned through the years that there are many times when the Lord is spanking me, and in those moments I am not meant to fight, but submit and humbly ask the Father to help me learn my lessons well. 

Lest we forget, the second half of the verse that says our enemy comes to destroy concludes with Jesus saying He comes that we may have “more and better life than you ever dreamed of” (Jn 10:10 MSG).