The Rod
There is a line in Psalms 23 that just puzzles me. It is in verse 4 where it reads: “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I can understand how a staff can comfort, because it is used to support, to help and to lift one up. But a rod is an instrument of discipline and pain. How can this be a comfort?
When I was in primary and secondary school, each teacher had a wooden paddle, or rod, in their classroom. If there was a need for discipline, the teacher would have the said student go to the hallway and there he/she would receive a whack of the paddle on his back side. In today’s world, this kind of corporal punishment is prohibited and considered abusive and detrimental to a child’s development, but when I was growing up it was normal. The “rod” was feared and served as deterrent from deviant behavior.
One of the names of God is: Jehovah-NawKaw, (The Lord who strikes). He is a Rod that punishes sinful behavior. In Ezekiel 7.9, it says: “My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord, who strikes.” Some think that there is a difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God revealed in the New Testament. But, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Nothing is changed. He is still Jehovah-Nawkaw. In fact, the New Testament reveals that His discipline is reserved for those whom He loves and calls His children.
The rod is a comfort, because it reveals the love of a father for his children. In the book of Hebrews it says that a child, who is not disciplined, is the same as a bastard, or rather a child with no father. To punish a child for wrongdoing is a sign that he is loved by his parents. It is to deter the child from the behavior that would be harmful to himself and others. God chastises His people for their own benefit. The fact that He does discipline should be of great comfort, because He only chastises those who are His own, but He judges the ungodly.
By revealing to us His name as Jehovah-NawKaw, the Lord reveals his complete hatred for sin. God cannot and will not tolerate sin. Sin separates man from Himself and was the reason His Son had to die on the cross. His intense hatred for sin is a result of His holiness, and yet in dealing with man He is very patient and merciful. When punishment does not come swiftly, it is not a sign that God does not mean what He says, but rather it is His mercy giving man time to repent. At first His discipline is by His Word. The Word is sent to convict man of his sin and to turn him from unrighteousness. If one persists in his disobedience, other means are employed to get the deviant one back on track. It is like the parent who counts to three for his child to take heed. The child responds, knowing that at “three” other means will be employed.
When our children were young, we had the “rod” very visible. All we had to do was mention its presence for the naughty child to change his behavior. The Rod is to be feared and loved. A child, who is disciplined, is secure and at peace. Joy returns after one responds in repentance to “The Rod”. The Rod is a comfort.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Ps. 23.4; Ez. 7.1-9; Heb. 12.6-11; Prov. 13.24; 22.15; 29.15