Rule from beneath: Why children have rights in the Bible

Many parents think that the Bible calls for children to fear them and respect them at the same time. This is a common misconception about the Bible and its context. Children were subservient, technically, in the biblical context, but had much influence over adult decisions, hence why children's rights comes from the Bible.

Christian love is denoted in the New Testament by the Greek root word αγαπαο (Latin: agapao) and refers to esteeming one's children above all else, putting children first, and parents last, leading to dutiful and selfless submission to the every need of children, expecting absolutely nothing in return from children, with children resting in the security and safety of parents. See Colossians 3:20-21 KJV:

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

The Greek root word translated "obey" is υπακουο (Latin: hupakouo) and refers to secure, vulnerable rest in the love and grace of parents. This is a form of respect that involves safety and security in relation to parents, not fearful compliance, meaning children can tell parents anything and everything under the sun. Children issued orders and demands on parents, and parents surrendered, giving in and giving up. Attachment parenting was the norm in biblical times, with mothers holding pales of water, with her holding a child wrapped up next to her bosom, and another held on her back with a papoose bag, with both children being in the nude, with the mother gathering water to cook with and to drink.

The Greek root word translated "provoke...to anger" is ερεθιζο (Latin: erethizo) and refers to damages or abuse against children, meaning the slightest of personal offenses perceived by the child, including the slightest of offensive touch or speech perceived by the child, coming from entitlement. The Apostle Paul here was lifting up the Law on punishment of children to Greek Christian parents who were in that habit. The punishment of children carried severe penalties under the Law, with punitive parents being excommunicated from their home parish. The seven rod verses depicting the rod of correction are repealed verses, meaning they are only relevant to the context they were given to. This is because these verses refer not to any "biblical spanking" but to a dated form of judicial corporal punishment associated closely with the death penalty in ancient Israel - the 40 minus 1 lashes with the rod of correction, being administered to an ADULT child after being convicted in a court of law of a capital offense. Minor children could not be charged with a criminal act or civil wrong, as they could not stand trial due to the age of infancy laws under the Law.

Children were very outspoken in their minor role in ancient Israel. The opinions and demand of children influenced many adult decisions, including things such as where to live, meaning a childish fear attached to an old house led to parents buying a new house. Children got much of what they wanted, and were allowed to demand things from parents, and order parents around to get them what they need. Hebrew and Christian parents gave up and gave in to the demands of children, surrendering to their every demanded want/need.

Children then were known for their mischief, meaning they made messes and destroyed property, playing tricks on adults, thinking it was funny to knock things off of the table and shelves. The parents cleaned it up afterwards, not the child, often saying kind things to the child such as "boy, you have a lot of energy", laughing alongside the children. Parents did not have parent anger then, so they were simply tired by all this at the end of the day, and got a good night sleep after keeping up with the children all day long. Patience was a virtue then, but one modeled in adults, in how they treated children, meaning parents were patient and gave allowances because they wanted their children to treat others with the same graces. Also, Hebrew and Christian parents then knew that a child at age 7 will not be as mischevious and hyperactive as when they are 17 or even 12 or 13.

The depraved and entitled parents who provoke children to anger will not inherit the Kingdom of God! Let them burn in the lake of fire and burning sulfur, which is the second death prepared for Satan and his accomplices! Let them descend into the ever-burning Hell of fire and torment, suffering God's Wrath forever and ever! Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!