What do you know about the shepherd’s rod & staff?
In the Middle East, the shepherd carries only a rod and staff. The rod is an extension of the shepherd’s right arm. It’s a symbol of his strength, his power, his authority in any serious situation. The rod was what he relied on 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 on wandering away.
Whereas the rod conveys the concept of authority, of power, of discipline, of defense against danger, the word “staff” plays 3 important roles:
- Drawing sheep together in an intimate relationship.
- Drawing sheep close to the shepherd for intimate examination.
- Guiding sheep. Only the use of a staff could free sheep from their entanglements.
Whether the danger comes from outside ourselves (necessitating the rod) or our own foolishness (requiring the staff), we have a shepherd who is watching carefully and guarding constantly.
What are your equivalents of the rod & staff?
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