Tools of the Shepherd
Psalm 23:4
The
rod and staff are tools of the shepherd. The rod is a club //that the
shepherd has carved from the root of a tree
and fitted to his hand. The
shepherd keeps the rod /with him /at all times and uses it as a weapon.
When wild animals or snakes threaten the sheep, the shepherd takes aim
and uses the rod to kill or drive off the intruder.
The staff is a
useful and essential tool for the shepherd. Many staffs had hooks /at
the end /for catching sheep that were wandering off, for lifting a lamb
and putting it back beside its mother, and for pulling away thorny
bushes () the sheep might wander into and get caught in. Sheep fall over
cliffs and have to be rescued. They get /into weeds that will make them
sick /if they eat them. They must have a shepherd /with them /at all times
to care for them and guide them. The shepherd uses his staff /to assist
the sheep. Sometimes he uses it to pull a sheep close to himself /so he
can inspect it for cuts and bruises.
So how are God’s rod and
staff a comfort to us? They comfort us /because God is our shepherd,
guiding us day by day.
Some days we may feel the hook of the staff /
around our necks /guiding us back to the right way. Sometimes we hear the
rod
/as it flies past our head /to chase away something //that would have
hurt us. And sometimes we feel the staff of God’s love /pulling us close
to him.
Dear Lord, You are my Good Shepherd. Thank you for
watching over me even /when I am stubborn and foolish.
Thank you for
pulling me back in line and closer to you. Amen.