WHAT IS A ROD AND A STAFF?HOW CAN THEY COMFORT A PERSON?
Question: When David told God that His Rod and His Staff comforted him,what did he really mean by saying this?
ANSWER:Let us read the following scripture:
Psalm 23:1-4;
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though 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.”
In the past, shepherds carried these two implements,that is,a rod and a staff,to help them during their sheep and goat herding activities.Each had its own function.
THE ROD: This was a short,thick,round straight piece of a special staff.It was used by shepherds for striking the enemies,eg., the hyenas, wolves,bears and foxes,that could emerge to attack their livestock.A rod was used to protect the flock from danger of being attacked by enemies.
THE STAFF:This was a long,quite thick stick and had a curve at the end.This tool was used for guiding the sheep.The curve helped to pull the sheep when he was in danger or when he was heading towards danger.The curve was used to hold the sheep’s neck or leg ,to remove it from danger.A staff was also used to keep the sheep to remain on stayed on course and not to go astray.
Why did David have to say that the Rod and the Staff of the Lord comforted him?
It’s because David likened himself unto a sheep and God was like a Shepherd to him, holding a Rod and a Staff in his hand.Usually,when a sheep sees his Shepherd with a Rod,he does fear anything because he knows that this tool is meant for striking their enemies.David was not afraid of his enemies,for the Lord was his Shepherd and,thus, God’s Rod had become to him like Comfort.
The Lord’s Staff,which has a a curve at the end also did comfort him.As a Sheep,David knew there was no way he could get lost,because this Staff would lead him on a straight path.Moreover,if he had to pass along the Valley of Death,the Lord’s Staff would direct him on a level path.
In the spiritual world,we are the Sheep and Jesus is the Great Shepherd.He holds a Rod and a Staff in his hand,to guide and tend us.
Hebrews 13:20;
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.”
The Lord Jesus is the Great Shepherd who cares for the Sheep.The others are shepherds,but not great shepherds.They are shepherds,but not good shepherds.Only our Lord Jesus is the Good and Great Shepherd.He tends the Sheep and leads them on a straight path,using his Staff.Not one of them will ever get lost while in him.He can as well lay down his life for the Sheep.
John 10:11-13;
” I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
Have you received Jesus today into your life?Has he become your Shepherd?If not,you are still a lost sheep.Turn to Jesus the good Shepherd, today.He’s looking for you!The place you are in is not safe.Hyenas,bears and wolves can smell your scent from afar and are advancing nearer so fast in order that they might devour you.If you,today have seen the Jesus Christ,the Good Shepherd,run to him and be safe.In the end,you will be able to say like David,”The Lord is my shepherd;I shall not want….Your Rod and Your Staff,they comfort me.”
Going to disco/nightclubs, music concerts, drunkenness, fornication,gossip, indulging in the worldly pleasures, wearing fashion,etc,is not safe for your soul.You are lost and therefore in great danger.You are most vulnerable and an easy prey to demons, witches and death.They are all seeking you that they might harm you.You are not safe!Run to Jesus!
If you are not born again but have the longing to get saved for you to be safe in Jesus Christ the good Shepherd,talk to us via inbox.We will pray together with you , inviting Christ into your life.
Maran atha!
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