Sheep Know His Voice

 Following a conversation with a friend regarding the scriptures regarding striking a child with the rod,

He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (Proverbs 13:24 NKJV),

I started researching this thought and discussing with amazing people who also deeply love the Lord and his word.

My friend is a new mom and said she was unsettled by the way most people use this scripture as permission or even a command to spank/hit/use force when raising children. She said through her prayer/meditation/study she settled on that this was instruction to train, instruct, and correct children as they grow and teach them how to respond to authority. She said parents are the first and should be the most common/prominent authority in a child’s life and how they correct/guide them should mimic God so that when they are older they will be much more familiar with the way in which God guides, corrects, instructs, and speaks. She was primarily having this conversation with another of our friends and I did not get to hear the full discussion (I wish I would have.)

This left me curious though and here is what I found:

Rarely is God spanking his children and rather is found using a still small voice, often encouraging and never condemning (1 Kings 19:11-13, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 32:19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Matthew 7:24, Deuteronomy 32:2, Romans 8:1-4). The word is clear that the sheep know his voice! (Not his hand!) and follow him (John 10:27).

When researching what the rod of a shepherd is used for a site was found that compared the rod and the staff as it is used in herding practices.

It outlined that the rod was/is a short heavy rounded stick that was used both day and night. This was used to guide sheep out into the fields and back into the sheepfold as appropriate. The staff was a longer stick with a curved hook that was used to more firmly/swiftly pull sheep from harm, catch them to prevent them from falling, or pull them out of where they have gotten stuck or trapped. This site also pointed out that herding requires knowledge of an animal’s flight zone. Animals/sheep (people/us) are easily spooked and generally prefer people (others) to be shoulder adjacent in order to not be spooked. The rod and staff allowed an arm to “extend” so to speak in order to prevent entering the flight zone or “point of balance” as it is also called.  Reading this felt like such a beautiful confirmation of my friend’s wisdom of a parent’s voice mimicking God’s and for harsh/forcefulness not being effective for daily training and direction. First, the rod is the tool used daily and throughout the day to guide and correct the movement of the sheep. Second, it is intended to be used to prevent spooking or alienating. (This would also be in line with Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 which warn against provoking to anger or to a place of discouragement.)

This is also gorgeous symmetry to what Jesus himself spoke in that his yoke is easy and the burden is light (Matthew 11:30). A yoke is placed on the shoulders of two animals to bring them into alignment and unity and to resolve into balance the burden/purpose/work set before them. A rod when wielded correctly will course correct out of or even prevent potential or possible dangers. However, separately there is a tool (not even mentioned in the all to commonly…and apparently…misquoted and misunderstood Proverbs 13 scripture) for which the intention of use is meant for abrupt, yanking, pulling, catching, etc. from imminent danger: the staff. In a not surprising (though of course awe invoking) parallel this tool, the staff, is often used through the repointing/repositioning of a sheep’s head. A sheep has more power (their own strength) with their head down. I would venture to say when they are looking at what is in front of them. The staff is typically most effective and commonly used in practice to move a sheep’s chin/head upward in order to have more power over them and be able to move them more quickly to safety and into their intended place. I would venture to say this is like when we are looking to/at God and no longer our circumstances. The focus and posture that makes it so that we are more likely, efficiently, and swiftly able to be secured in peace that surpasses all understanding and are able to reach our expected end and preferred future.          

I love to watch his word align and get a glimpse of the artistry in his plan/design.