“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4 NIV) in other words…

“Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. “ (The Message)

In earlier generations, choosing a rod or staff was a rite of passage for a young shepherd. Each one chose a branch, cut it, whittled it and formed it to suit their needs and responsibilities as the guardian of the flock. 

Obviously, a rod and staff are used to protect the sheep from dangerous situations. They’re also used as a means of discipline. A shepherd would use it to apply pressure to keep a sheep from wandering into danger. The shepherd would actually throw the rod, a skill developed over time, as he tried to divert the lamb from wandering or keep it from eating a poisonous plant. 

Shepherds also use the rod for counting and examination. Ezekiel, the prophet, talks about the covenant God made with his people and the act of “passing under the rod.” (Ezekiel 20:37) A shepherd would pay close attention to each sheep as they passed under his rod. His keen eye was searching for anything that might signal that the sheep needed some attention or treatment. The rod would also be used as a tool to hold back the long heavy wool to examine the skin as the shepherd looked for defects or signs of illness.

Ultimately, the rod brings comfort to a flock because it brings intimacy. 

How can you recall your shepherd’s care for you with the aid of his rod and staff?

 

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