Comforting Rod & Staff

Last week, we began a wonderful series - The Lord is my Shepherd. As we journey through this series, we’re confessing the Lordship of Jesus and bringing ourselves under the tender care of Jesus. 

Today, we'll study the role of the Shepherd as a Comforter. Amen. The Lord is my Comforter! 
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Shepherds are equipped with essential tools and provisions in order to fulfill their duties. 
Here's a list of what all a shepherd carries when he steps out to tend his flock:

• A bag - usually made of goat skin, in which he’d carry food, tools and other necessities
• A sling - for protection against animals
• A rod - which is short and about 1 metre long with a knob at one end
• A staff - which is 6 feet long with a crook on the end
• A stringed musical instrument - the shepherd used to play while they were resting which gave a calming effect, both for the sheep and the shepherd. 
• A cloak - which the shepherd would use as a bedding/blanket at night

Here, the rod represents discipline and protection whereas the staff represent guidance and support. The very first profession of mankind recorded in the Bible was that of a shepherd. Abel was a keeper of sheep who offered the firstborn of his flock to God. A shepherd’s heart gives the sheep loving care. At times, shepherds will throw their rods at a stubborn strange sheep that refuses to hear their voice.  If a lamb is consistently strong-willed and continuously leaves the herd and repeatedly places his life in danger, the rod has occasionally been used to strike the leg of the sheep to crack the bone. After the bone is broken, the shepherd carefully splints the leg and with great love tends the sheep and carries it in his shoulders - by doing so for days, the sheep would be bonded to the shepherd, be familiar with his voice and will never go astray. 

Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.

Sometimes, when we walk away from God, we end up in troubled situations where we’d begin to cry and then return to the Lord. Consider it as a treatment that we undergo from the Lord who loves us deeply.
At other times, shepherds gently nudge the strays with the end of his 6-foot staff crooked at one end. Both the rod and the staff work together to protect the sheep. The shepherd’s love, protection, providence and guidance comfort the sheep. When needed, the shepherd disciplines his sheep. 

1 Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
This was Paul’s heart towards his people (sheep). A mother’s heart is a tender heart. This is God’s heart to us too: a mother’s heart.

Proverbs 3:11,12 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
God disciplines and does not punish us.

Hebrews 12:6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

Hebrews 12:8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all.
God’s correction is a sign of His love and care. It might be painful to us but it is always for our good.

Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Characteristics Of A Good Sheep 
1. True sheep listens to his shepherd’s voice. The good sheep will always be tuned to his leader’s/ Shepherd’s voice. He will obey the leader’s instruction.
2. The true sheep follow the shepherd because they know his voice. That shepherd sets an example for his sheep by having a lifestyle of prayer, etc so they naturally follow him. Paul said, ‘be my imitators’. 
3. True sheep will never follow a stranger. You cannot choose your shepherd, just as how you cannot choose your parents. It's God who has placed them in your life.
4. True sheep will always recognize their shepherd's voice. To recognize your shepherd’s voice, you must frequently hear his voice.
5. A good sheep will come in and go out through the gate only. He will walk with the shepherd and receive blessings and find good pastures. He will get the Word and be taught by his minister or those appointed by the leader and not by whoever comes their way. 
6. A good sheep knows their shepherd personally. There must be a good, open, transparent relationship between them.