BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 11i) THE SHEPHERDING FATHER IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO COMFORT HIS SHEEP.

Psalm 23:4 says, "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." Men, as far as natural sheep are concerned, no matter where in this world, whether it be in the Holy land or in any western country, the rod is not used to beat the sheep. It is primarily used to beat the enemies or predators of this defenseless animal.

Having been brought up on a sheep farm in a sheep farming community in New Zealand, we used the rod and staff as one instrument. As a young man I had my own shepherd's crook which was a fairly long staff, a little thicker than walking stick and much longer. It also had a crook or handle at one end. Rather than beating the sheep with this instrument, we used it to gently prod the sheep to go in a certain direction. When the sheep acted stubbornly, the prod would be a little more than gentle, especially when the sheep had to cross over a narrow bridge or pass through difficult a difficult and scary passage in mountain regions.

The Great Shepherd scolds the shepherds that beat the flock. Isaiah 3:15 says, "What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts." To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell