We the Sheep.

We live in a world of diverse people, with diverse beliefs and diverse motives. Of the innumerable personalities and walks of life, one thing is always common; a sense of cause and effect, karma, or some kind of repercussion for the past, it's the physics of life. This is a natural correlation wired in the brain of man. However; one thing God provides is a revelation of weakness and flaws of past and present and He places a memorial for the future. He does this through the rod and the staff; The tools of a shepherd.

Psalm 23:4 (New International Version)

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Shepherds had to be mighty people of wisdom and valor. I don't believe just any one person could be a shepherd; there were key qualities to be found in a shepherd: courage, Loyalty, Will, Love, and Wisdom.

"Hang on a second, we are talking about sheep here, harmless sheep, not lions. Why would so many qualities be needed to (Baby-sit) harmless sheep?" The need is there because wolves and lions perceive these sheep to be just as harmless. Any little wimp isn't going to risk their life to fend of fierce predators, (courage, loyalty.) Just as well sheep often loose their way; not on purpose, but one blade of grass at a time, (Love, Wisdom.)

Besides being equip with all these characteristics, a shepherd has two tools in his hand: a rod and a staff. When I picture a shepherd, he is normally holding his staff with a crook at the end. I don't picture him with the rod. It just doesn't seem to fit the character. The staff is a gentle tool, it has a long reach and a finesse about it. The staff is used to give direction to the sheep by using the crook around the neck. This is a gentle and comforting tool; it is used often and used out of love. Perhaps this is why I picture a shepherd with the staff.

When a shepherd picks up the rod, the situation is serious. The rod symbolizes power. The shepherd relies on the rod to scare away or beat down predators. This is not the only use either; the rod is commonly used to discipline sheep who don't respond to the staff. First the shepherd will give nudges and taps of warning to the sheep. If they still are disobediant the shepherd may physically reprimand the sheep with the rod. Finally if all else fails, in the case of a stuburn sheep, the rod is used to break a leg so to assure the sheep cannot wander. Although harsh, this saves the sheeps life.

There is much to be learned about people and human nature from sheep. God is the shepherd possessing all of the ability and tools to protect and lead His flock. People are stubborn creatures, not because of our upbringing bur our nature. Man is the greatest of God's creation on earth and won't ignore it either. However; great and intelligent in our realm of reality; we are but stubborn sheep in true reality with God. Because of our self-absolved ways and poor perception of reality we often go astray and approach danger; not on purpose, but one little thing at a time.

Our shepherd will aways lobe us first and guide us gently with His staff. He will use signs or people to worn us of our mis-direction and point the proper way out. A word of warning from a loved one or friend, a feeling of uncertainty, guilt or shame, the "maybe I shouldn't" notions. These are examples of the initial lulls of the staff.

If we continue along a stray path and ignore the gentle draw of the staff; greater measures may be taken. At this point the shepherd is going to warn us of the rod. These lobe taps may sting a little but warn us of more to come. This is likened to temporary punishments or suspensions, a probationary time issued or a warning of no further toleration. I like to think of this as the "ultimatum." We are made aware of great consequences if we continue along the path. The shepherd does not wish to follow through with the rod, He wants an obedient response before things go that far.

Now it is the last straw, an extremely stubborn sheep requires extreme measures to break it. This is something both the shepherd and sheep don't look forward to, but must occur. The shepherd must make Himself absolutely clear. A beating must take place. The rod is used as it is meant to be... to inflict lumps of pain and lasting discomfort. This is a beating the sheep will not forget. It leaves a mark, a memorial of what has taken place. A thorn in Paul's side or a limp in Jacob's walk. At this point a sheep in any right mind will recognize the power and authority of the shepherd. Perhaps now aware of the rod, the sheep will respond better to the staff.

Could you imagine being a sheep among a flock with no shepherd or a shepherd with no rod, no staff? There would be no protection, no sense of security, no direction. Imagine also if an old stubborn wild sheep were to suddenly have a good shepherd. How well would this sheep adapt. I would think it will take an extreme instance to make the sheep subjected to the shepherd. Now imaging being a sheep which does not know life without a shepherd, I bet this sheep does rather well in response to the shepherd. There have been two different walks of life for the sheep and both have strengths and weaknesses.

I also find the shepherd will always do everything in His power regardless of the sheep's past to ensure their well being and response to Him. The shepherd needs to be recognized as a powerful and wise protector and leader. The shepherds motives are for the love of the sheep.

We all have been lead by the Shepherd (God) whether we know it or not. We have been guided by the staff, protected from predators (Satan) and disciplined with the rod. Either we have grown up with the shepherd and know Him, or the shepherd has been taking great measures to wake us up and will continue to until we do. God loves us, He wants the best for us. It is up to us to submit to His terms and His power because His rod may be coming. Be broken and live.