Thy Rod and Thy Staff
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
This is the well-known assurance from Psalm 23, where David pictures our heavenly Father as a shepherd caring for his sheep.
I've always considered the words “rod” and “staff” to be an example of poetic reiteration, a device used to drive home the comfort God the Shepherd gives his sheep.
But it occurred to me the other day that there could be a difference between the shepherd's rod and his staff, and the revelation came from, of all places, a study of the dimensions of the ark of the covenant.
The ark was two and a half cubits long, one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high (Ex. 25:10). A cubit measured approximately 18 inches, making the ark’s dimensions three and three quarters feet long and two and one quarter feet wide.
What does that have to do with Psalm 23? Well, three items were placed in the ark for storage in the Holy of Holies. In the words of the writer of Hebrews, these were: “the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant” (Heb. 9:4, NKJV). The tablets reminded the Israelites of the law given on Mt. Sinai. The jar of manna symbolized God’s loving care for the Israelites while they were in the wilderness. Aaron’s rod that blossomed and produced almonds represented the priestly privileges belonging to the descendants of Aaron (Num. 17). The ESV has “staff,” but the original word just refers to a slender piece of wood varying in length.
When you think about the story of Aaron’s rod, do you picture the typical, long shepherd’s staff with a crook at the top? That's what I've always imagined. But according to what we have learned, the wooden object in the ark must have been shorter than four feet! That changes my perception.
The item contained in the ark of the covenant must have been a shorter stick used for bludgeoning wild animals, like the one referenced by Paul in his question to the Galatians: “What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?” (1 Cor. 4:21).
Returning to the imagery of Psalm 23, shepherds carried two sticks: a “rod” for defense and a “staff” used for offense. The shepherd kept the blunt rod in his belt in case of predators. When a wolf attacked, he unsheathed the rod and battered it on the head to protect his flock. He walked with a staff in his hand, using it for gentle correction and guidance.
The Lord is our Shepherd. He holds a rod in one hand and a staff in the other. With his rod, he shields us from harm, defending us against enemies who threaten our spiritual security. With his staff, he gently guides us in the direction we should go, ensuring we find eternal life through his Son Jesus.
The next time you read the twenty-third Psalm, think about the difference between the Lord's rod and staff. We need them both!
Drew Kizer