In old testament times shepherding was a serious business, the shepherd always carried with him the minimum of 2 things a rod and a staff. As we read the 23rd Psalm, verse 4 speaks of them. Chosen specially by a young shepherd they are part of him, he uses them as an extension of himself as he shepherds his flock.
Let’s consider them and maybe see truths to apply to ourselves.
Verse 4 says ‘Yea thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me’ Notice it is God’s rod and staff that comforts, guides and protects the psalmist. It is God who is the Good Shepherd of His sheep. Are you one of His sheep? If you are the rod and staff are for your benefit!
THE ROD
For the shepherd the rod was like a club. It could be thrown with great accuracy. The rod was in fact an extension of the owners right arm. It stood as a symbol of his strength, his power, his authority, in any serious situation. The rod was what he relied upon to safeguard both himself and his flock in danger. And it was, furthermore, the instrument he used to discipline and correct any wayward sheep that insisted in wandering away.
The sheep therefore eventually sees it’s authority and sees it as a continuous comfort to itself. By the shepherd’s rod then he is able to carry out effective skilful control of his flock. Application of this for us today is that God’s rod is the Word of God in which is the expressed intent , the extended activity of God’s mind and will in dealing with men. It implies the authority of divinity. It carries with it the convicting power and irrefutable impact of “Thus saith the Lord.” I Tim 3:16,17 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works”. So in our day as a sheep in His flock there is great assurance in our hearts as we contemplate the power, truth and potent authority vested in God’s word, God’s rod. As verse 4 says they comfort me.
THE STAFF
In a sense the staff more than any other item of his personal equipment identifies the shepherd as the shepherd. No one in any other profession carries a shepherd’s staff. It is uniquely an instrument Used for the care and management of sheep and only sheep. It will not do for cattle, horses or pigs. It is designed, shaped and adapted especially toward the needs of sheep. And it is used only for their benefit. The shepherd’s staff is essentially a symbol of the concern, care and compassion he has for His flock . No other single word can better describe the staff’s function than it is used for THEIR COMFORT. The rod conveys authority, power, discipline, defence against danger, whereas the word staff speaks of all that is long suffering, comforting and kind.
The shepherd’s staff is normally a long slender stick often with a crook or hook at one end. Somehow the staff is a special comfort to the shepherd as well as the sheep. Just as the rod of God is emblematic of the Word of God, so the Staff of God is symbolic of the Spirit of God. In Christ’s dealings with us as individuals there is the essence of the sweetness, the Comfort and consolation, the gentle correction brought about by the work of His gracious Spirit. The shepherd’s staff plays a significant role, one them is the drawing of sheep together into an intimate relationship. Like a new born lamb being lifted to it’s mother’s side. The shepherd does not want the new born lamb to be separated from its mother and the flock. Also the shepherd uses the staff to catch individual sheep and draw to his side for intimate examination. The staff is also used for guiding the sheep. In the Christian life we find the gracious Holy Spirit working in our lives,”the Comforter” drawing folks together into a warm and personal fellowship with one another. The Spirit guides us into the Word of God. The Staff of God, His Holy Spirit guides us into new paths as we progress through life. The Good Shepherd only uses the staff to guide and comfort His sheep. By the Shepherd’s touch with His staff the sheep are reassured of their proper path.
In conclusion when reading through Psalm 23 and the clear pathway the Good Shepherd takes His sheep we can say today for us God’s rod and staff has the same qualities and comfort that David had .
God bless
Michael Whitehouse