YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF....

I grew up in a two-parent home. At a very early age I recognized the role of mother and father as it pertains to rearing children. Now that I think about it, I saw the nature of God in both of my parents. Mommy was the nurturing, caring, feeding, organizing, long-suffering nature of God. And Daddy was the providing, protecting, structured, watchful, consequential, disciplining nature of God. As I grew up, I came into an understanding of WHY children need both parents. In my opinion, among other things, God's full nature couldn't be contained in Adam (a father) alone. Eve (a mother) displayed God's nature in ways that were different from her male counterpart. Both parents love their children but contrastingly. For me, I definitely saw my father as the disciplinarian and Mommy as the one that extended mercy. She tolerated the foolishness of our young selves more than Daddy ever did!

As I continue my journey through Psalm 23 with you, we now come to the verse which many of us may well know. Vs. 4 reads "...Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." It is only in reading this that the revelation of two parents is made clearer as it relates to our Heavenly Father and why a shepherd needs both instruments. In biblical times, a shepherd consistently used a rod and a staff to tend the flock.  Both were used to love and protect the sheep, each in a very specific way. The rod, which was shorter and thicker, was used to fight off wild animals/predators and to count the sheep and direct them. It was a symbol of strength. The rod prodded them during the day in the fields and at night into the sheepfold.  A willing sheep would respond to the prodding, but a stubborn, strong-willed sheep would not.  If the shepherd saw the sheep wandering away on its own, approaching poisonous weeds or getting too close to danger of some sort that rod would go sailing through the air to send the wayward sheep scurrying back to the flock. What an accurate depiction of our Heavenly Father and what an earthly one should look like! Protecting those in their care from all hurt and harm and steering them back to the right path when they are bent on going their own way! That was my father!

Conversely, the staff, which is long and thin and had a hook, is a symbol of loving tenderness. It was used to more strongly exert authority but with firm gentleness. It is typically used to pull the sheep back to the fold and keep the sheep moving in the right direction.  It can also be used to pull the sheep from harm, gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother or catch individual sheep and draw them close for intimate examination. The staff is an instrument of grace and mercy. While it's also used for protection, its function is different. It's the gentler, more nurturing care that sheep also need. A staff against the side of a sheep pulls them close and gives them the comfort of knowing their master is near. Ahhhh, this is the mothering nature of God; His bosom which comforts, His patience, His tenderness towards His children...and how I see my own earthly mother.

Two instruments that illustrate the love and care of the Father for you and I poured out into man and woman, that they may display that love and care to the children entrusted to them. A rod of discipline and a staff of grace. This sheds new light on who's care we're under. And whether you had one or both parents, know that God, more than, makes up for any lack you may have experienced. Yes, His rod and His staff protects and comforts us! Despite the upbringing, may the truth of that take root deep in your hearts!

~Dania Roberts