“Even
though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for
you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4
What is the difference
between the rod and staff, which was used by a shepherd and is also referred to in the Bible as
used by Jesus, our shepherd? A shepherd’s rod expresses the idea of power,
discipline, protection and authority. It is a defense against danger. On the
other hand, his staff conveys the concept of kindness, support and patience. It
is the instrument of nurture and care.
The Rod
Shepherd boys, from their youngest age, take immense pride in being allowed to choose their own rod and staff. To make the rod, they select a young, hardwood sapling and dig it up from the ground. With great excitement they whittle the thin tree to fit their own unique size and strength. The thick part of the sapling, where the trunk joins the roots, is carved into a smooth rounded head that can bludgeon a predator to its death.
Once he is satisfied with
his handiwork, the shepherd boy spends hours practicing to use this instrument.
He can throw it to scare away a predator, or knock the enemy in the head, or he
can use it to club the intruder to death. It is also used to beat the brush in
order to deter any snakes or small animals from bothering the sheep. He can use
the rod to reach out and grab away and then kill any snake ready to bite. He
uses the rod as an extension of his arm. It gives him a sense of command and
ability in the face of danger.
The shepherd also uses the
rod for counting the sheep. The
shepherds cause their flock to pass under their rod as they go through the gate
of the sheepfold (Ezekiel 20:37 ). They count and examine each sheep as it passes below. The
shepherd uses the rod to part the fleece and examine the condition of the skin
for cleanliness and health. This is where we get our saying, “You can’t pull
the wool over my eyes.” In other words, you are not going to get by with
anything while I am in charge.
The Staff
The second piece of equipment in the shepherd’s arsenal is a staff. It is a long, slender stick with a crook or hook on the end. It is also selected with care and smoothed and shaped to the shepherd’s personal height. This tool is not used for herding any other type of animal, only sheep. The staff is truly designed for the comfort of the sheep. The staff also identifies the shepherd in his trade. It provides extra strength and support for his body as he leans on it with each step while he treks the many miles leading his sheep to find suitable water and pastureland.
The hook at the end of the
staff is to grab sheep that are going into dangerous places or starting to eat
poisonous weeds. The shepherd catches them around the hind leg and drags them
to safety. In this way the shepherd exercises authority and protection over the
flock. He also uses his staff to herd the sheep together into a cohesive herd.
In order to prevent his human smell from offending the ewe, he uses the staff
to lift a newborn and steer it towards its mother if they should get separated.
On other occasions, the tip of the long, slender staff is laid against the
sheep’s side. Then the shepherd applies pressure to guide the sheep until it
returns to the right path.
He also uses the staff to
catch and draw a sheep toward himself for closer scrutiny and assessment. Very
timorous sheep often stray from the flock, and the shepherd uses his staff to
steer them back into the safety of the group. If a sheep falls into water, the
staff quickly lifts them back up on dry ground. Detangling sheep from briers
and thorns is best done with the staff as well. There are an unlimited number
of uses for the staff.
***
Similarly, the rod and staff
of the Lord keep us safe. As we heedlessly go into dangerous situations devised
by satanic predators or if we simply wander off in the wrong direction in life,
our Shepherd rescues us and puts us back on the straight and narrow road. Jesus
uses these tools equally to bring us comfort and correction. He feeds his flock like
a shepherd. He carries His lambs in His arms, holding them close to his heart.
He gently leads the ewes and their young (Isaiah 40:11).
Prayer:
Lord
Jesus, shepherd Your people with your staff, and Your flock of Your
inheritance, which lives in fertile pasturelands. Although we walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, we have no need to fear any evil. You are with
us and Your rod and Your staff bring us comfort (Psalm 23:4).Thought for the Day:
“For he is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. - Psalm 95:7
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