Equipment of a shepherd

The rod is basically a club about 30 inches in length, usually with a knob on the larger end formed from the bulb at the root of the little tree from which it is made. This knob might be studded with heavy-headed iron nails or even with flint, thus making it a formidable weapon. A hole is made in the smaller handle end, through which a cord is drawn so the rod can be hung from the shepherd’s wrist or fastened to his belt. Shepherds carry these rods for the express purpose of protecting their sheep (and themselves) from marauding animals or assaulting humans - thieves and robbers (Jn. 10:8.) The staff is a kind of walking stick, about 6 feet in length, usually plain and straight but sometimes with a fork or crook at one end. It is used to aid the shepherd in walking over the rough terrain, climbing hills or clambering over rocks. The word itself signifies a stay or support. It is also used to guide the sheep or even to punish them. Shepherd to lift a sheep or lamb from a crevice between the dangerous rocks uses a staff with a crook on the end. It is also used to count the sheep as they pass under it while entering the fold at the close of the day. Yeshua, in keeping with this, assures us that He knows His own sheep by name. The sling was a common part of the shepherd’s equipment. Of the men of Benjamin showing their skill and dexterity in the use of the sling. The sling is a very simple device, but it is an extremely accurate and dangerous weapon. It consists of 2 woven strings about 15 or 16 inches in length, fastened to a small, diamond-shaped, leather pad or pouch. This pouch has a small slit in the middle so that when a stone is pressed into it, it closes around it like a bag. The strings are correctly fastened around the fingers and the sling is twirled around and round with great speed until, at a precise time, one of the strings is released and the stone is hurled through the air at great speed and with deadly power. The Great Shepherd, who will not flee when the wolves come to attack His sheep but will protect them night and day, guarantees the security of the believer. The shepherd’s scrip is a bag made of skin, carried over the shepherd’s shoulder by means of a heavy cord, in which he carries his supply of bread, olives, cheese, dried figs and parched grain. Sometimes these bags are crudely made of raw skins, but quite often they are made of well-tanned and attractively dyed leather with exquisitely embroidered designs. Merchants carry their money and other valuables in scrip’s. Shepherds use it not only to carry supplies for their own needs but also emergency items for the care of injured or sick sheep, since they must be both physician and surgeon to their flocks. Our Shepherd, Yeshua, has His scrip full of emergency supplies for all His lambs and sheep so that we need not worry, fear or panic, regardless of what may threaten to befall us. Shepherds frequently carry a reed pipe, or flute, on which they may play either weird or very beautiful music - and they do both. He plays for his own amusement and for the soothing effect it has on his sheep. Has our Savior sung to you to sooth your fears away and do you sing to Him for His enjoyment of your praises? The shepherd’s outer cloak was a large, flowing, robe-like garment made of heavy, hand-woven wool, either dyed or natural. In North Africa it includes a hood like that of a cape, which is pulled up over the head in wet or cold weather but is permitted to hand down the wearer’s back at other times. Often the hood is used as a sort of knapsack in that position. The clock has short, wide sleeves and, because of its loose fitting nature, the hands can be withdrawn to the inside for warmth when desired. When night comes, the shepherd pulls the hood over his head, draws in his arms and hands, and curls up his feet inside the warm robe, the garment thus becoming his blanket and bed. They sleep in the clothes that they wear during the day. The bed of the poor is usually a mat, and in winter they cover themselves with a cloak- a practice that forms the ground or reason of the humane and merciful law respecting the pawned coat. There is ample space in the bosom area to carry or to hold a newborn lamb, and often a sick or injured one is carried here while the shepherd is nursing it back to health. The warmth of the shepherd’s own body helps to promote healing and health. We are all to be Shepherds caring for the ones the L-rd put into our bosom, do we have all our equipment ready to serve? The rods to were off thieves and robbers of our new lambs. The staff to help support our walk with the Great Shepherd. The sling to protect our little lambs from the pit falls of life. The scrip to carry our heavenly valuables and emergency items. Do you sing the Word to sooth your lambs? The prayer shawl to wrap yourself and your loved ones in. Do you go after the lost sheep and restore them to the fold? All things were written for an example to us, even down to the tiniest detail. We must study to show ourselves approved on to the Father, rightly dividing the Word of truth. Searching for the deeper meaning to help us today and the days to come.