"Musar"

We were in elementary school but the memory is still quite vivid. I won’t say what she did, but my older sister was in big trouble and dad was on a rampage.
(I probably tattled . . . can’t remember.)

The old saying goes, “Experience is the best teacher,” but I disagree. 'I' learned from her mistake. She received correction and discipline and I received valuable instruction. That was definitely the best way to learn.

There is a beautiful Hebrew word used a number of times in the Proverbs. Its meaning has a connection to my learning experience. Though there were two of us, three if you count dad, there was instruction and correction and discipline all at the same time. The Hebrew word ‘musar’ means instruction and correction and discipline all at the same time. (Though not smooth English, we might consider 'instructive discipline' or 'disciplinary instruction' as descriptive translations of 'musar.')

Parents sometimes forget the purpose of discipline. It is not to get even or punish (administer justice), but to provide instruction. In scripture instruction has the purpose of providing discipline, that is, self-discipline.

   A wise son accepts his father's discipline, 
   But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
                                                          --Proverbs 13:1

‘Discipline’ in this verse is the Hebrew word musar. It includes the simple instruction that comes when a father tells or shows his child how something works or when he explains right and wrong in life. Ideally instruction is accepted by the child who then adjusts his attitude and behavior accordingly: self-discipline. If the outcome is imperfect the father may choose to correct; still a part of musar. Where instruction and correction are rejected by the child, discipline follows, still a part of musar.

An excellent present-day illustration of musar is found in coaching. Coaches give verbal instruction, apply hands-on training, give correction, and require physical discipline. In extreme cases they will ‘bench’ a player or kick the player off the team for misconduct, each a form of discipline. Instruction, training, correction, discipline: musar. Each element of the coach's training program is singular in purpose, to make the athlete excel in competition.

In the same way that I learned from my sister’s discipline, God wanted Israel to learn from discipline, that is, the discipline they had received from God in their past: musar.
(Read about this in Deuteronomy 11:2-9.)

The general purpose of musar in Proverbs is to equip the child to excel in life. More specifically, it is to equip the child for life before God.

When the Apostle Paul instructed Christian fathers concerning their children to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4), he was bringing forward the Hebrew concept of musar.

Do not think this that is a nice little Hebrew word study...this is about life!

Parents, be wise. Apply musar.
Children, be wise. Love musar.

Musar is life.