The purposes of chastisement are many, but they may be classified under the following seven heads:
1. Illuminative. To discover faults and failings. "I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement" (Deu 11:2).
2. Preventative. To keep from failure and self exaltation. "God hath seen mine affliction, and the labour of my hands, and rebuked (chastened) thee yesternight" (Gen 31:42).
3. Instructive. To cause us to know His way and will. "The prophecy his mother taught him" (Pro 31:1).
4. Curative. To prevent us from failing, where we have failed before. "Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver…thus she was reproved" (Gen 20:16).
5. Corrective. To drive away that which is not helpful. "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him" (Pro 22:15).
6. Illustrative. To let others see the divine grace and patience exemplified in us. "Happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty" (Job 5:17).
7. Punitive. To punish for misdeed or disobedience. "To deliver such an one unto Satan" (1Cr 5:5).