This means physical discipline (spanking) is a necessary part of character formation.
(There are so many spankings needed).
Of course, the father is not the only one to do this (bad cop). But… men usually can discipline with less drama and tend to convey authority easier.
Admonition
It has the idea of exhortation, which is one of the motivational gifts found in Romans 12. It means to ‘urge on to a course of action’.
It is reinforcing, reminding, rebuking if necessary.
In parenting, it conveys the idea of ‘tirelessly reminding them’ (Stephen and Tandra).
Notice, he says “do not provoke your children to anger.”
Much bigger range of emotions when people think of their father than their mother.
Anger usually comes either from a perception fathers were either too harsh or negligent (including absentee).
Thus, back to Malachi, the curse.
Among other things, God presents Himself as a Father. It’s central to the Trinity and to our relationship with Him.
“God is neither harsh nor weak”
Response
The New English Translation of Malachi 4 say it like this,