As the Kurdish nomads tended their sheep, they always had a staff with them. They were usually quite long, like a long walking stick we might use.
They served two key functions. One was to provide safety for the flock. If some wild dogs or other animals were endangering the flock, the shepherds would use the staff to drive them away.
The other function was to provide guidance for the flock. The Kurdish nomads would raise their staff to keep the sheep heading in the right direction.
The sheep seemed to understand that the staff was not going to be used to punish them but to guide and protect them. Watching the shepherds herd their sheep was amazing. They would be coming down the road with their flocks; the roads also went through the valleys. The shepherd would take his staff and herd the sheep to the side of the road. Both car and sheep could then pass each other in safety. The sheep remained calm through it all.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, also has a staff. I think of it as the Word of God. He does not use it as a means of punishment but rather as a tool of guidance and protection. He guides us to take the right path when we come to those crossroads or consider diversions on our journey. He protects us from Satan and sin by helping us see evil hiding in the bushes, along our path. “your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4NIV
Leave a Reply