Nisan 26
Comfort
“Your rod and Your
staff, they comfort me.” (Ps 23:4 ISR)
Most of us can recall
seeing pictures of the “Jesus” of the modern, westernized church, carrying a
staff with a “shepherd’s crook” in the end of it, supposedly tending his sheep
– I always did have a problem with those pictures. And in all reality, those pictures have
nothing to do with this verse.
Most commentators and
bible theologians agree that the rod and the staff is the same instrument. The Hebrew word that has been translated as “rod”
is the word shêbeṭ (Strong’s H7626), and
means “a rod, a staff, a club, a shaft, a sceptre, and also a clan, or a tribe”. Most
common uses of this word include being used as a clan, or tribe (see Gen 49:28;
Num 24:17; Ps 122:4); a means of correction or chastisement (see 2Sam 7:14; Ps
2:9; Pro 13:24) and a sceptre of authority (see Gen 49:10; Num 24:17; Ps 45:6).
The Hebrew word mish‛ênâh (Strong’s H4938) is the word for “staff”, and literally means “a
walking stick, as a means of support”. “Comfort” has been translated from the word nâcham (Strong’s H5162), and this is where I prefer Mr. Benner’s
definition the best: “Consolation in time of trouble or worry; to give solace in time of
difficulty or sorrow. The niphal (passive) form means "repent."[1] When we combine all of these words and their meanings, how does this
interpret for us? I see some different
thoughts coming here …
“Your (tribe, the complete family
of Israel) and Your (support),
they (give me consolation).”
“Your (correction and chastening)
with Your (support), they (cause me to repent).”
“Your (sceptre of authority)
and Your (support), they (give me solace).”
This certainly leaves us with much to meditate on, and much to be
thankful for. The many “faces” of our
Elohim, as our Creator and Shepherd, become more evident to us day by day, as
He continues to lead us in those “paths of righteousness”.
“… being persuaded of
this, that He who has begun a good work in you shall perfect it until the day
of יהושע
Messiah.” (Phi 1:6 ISR)
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