Double Barrel

In Psalm 23, David writes about God being his Shepherd. We immediately get an image in our minds similar to the one above. Making us "lie down in green pasture" and leading us "beside still waters." But that's only part of the picture. A shepherd always carried TWO tools of the trade with him or her.

"Thy ROD and thy STAFF, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

In the painting above we see a shepherd's staff. This staff is used for guiding the sheep. The hook it's end can be put around a sheep's neck to pull them back to where they belong.

A shepherd's rod, a little shorter and straight, is used as a weapon and a means of protection. It is used to ward off any wild animals who might be interested in devouring the sheep. Lions and bears are two examples of these. Satan is another.

Jesus protects us and He guides us. He guides us with the Holy Spirit and with His Word - The Bible. He also protects us with these same tools, but also with His angels.

"For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways." - Psalm 91:11

These two shepherd's tools protected and comforted David. And they should do the same for us as well.

Can you think of any examples of shepherds using these items in the Bible?

Aaron - "Aaron threw his staff in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent." - Exodus 7:10

Moses - "Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground." - Exodus 14:16

David - "When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it (with his rod) and killed it." - 1 Samuel 17:34-35

We should be comforted knowing that God is watching over us, to keep us safe and to "guide us into all truth." (John 16:13).