Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Shavuah Tov,

Psalms
Psalm 23:4 – Part 8

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me.

Now, the final piece of verse 4… Psalm 23:4c Your rod and Your staff comfort me.  In the Hebrew, the “rod” (Shevet) and “staff” (Mishaynah) represent the presence and authority of God.  Together, we will see, they provide a blessed assurance that God has a firm grip on us and on every circumstance of life.  We can trust in His loving care.

The “Shevet,” translated as “rod” is the same Shoresh used for “tribe.”  We are all enlisted in the Lord’s army with the assignment to fight the forces of evil.  Do you remember the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6?  Paul also admonishes the Corinthians… 2Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. 4a For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly but powerful through God for the tearing down of strongholds.  

We’re all going to fight somewhere, somehow.  In Scripture, fighting units are called “tribes.”   Fighting units rally proudly around their “colors,” which are raised high for all to see on a rod.  The rod is then planted in the ground, as the unit fights to hold that ground, until the advance is sounded and the fighting unit follows its flag.

There is a great Messianic prophesy, spoken by Jacob to Judah about Judah’s most famous Son, Yeshua.  It uses our word for “rod” and translates it as “scepter.”  Genesis 49:10 The scepter (rod) will not pass from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs will come. To him will be the obedience of the peoples.  The “obedience of the peoples” is to rally around the ruler who holds the “scepter,” which is a sign of authority.

The “staff” or in Hebrew, Mishaynah, is a walking stick or cane.  It is a support tool or resource to keep our walk steady.  As followers of Yeshua, we want to avoid stumbling.  Psalm 121:1 A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains—from where does my help come? 2 My help comes from Adonai, Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip. Your Keeper will not slumber. 4 Behold, the Keeper of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.

Rabbi Trail:  While I was after the part about “He will not let your foot slip” at the beginning of verse 3, I couldn’t help but add “the Keeper of Israel” which is “Shomair Yisrael,” the name of our Messianic congregation.  He is the “Watchman of Israel!”  End RT.

This “rod” (banner of flying colors) and “staff” (support tool to steady our walk) bring us comfort.  They provide evidence that God is with us (Emanuel).  Moses charged Joshua, and when we read his words, we can receive that charge for ourselves.  Deuteronomy 31:8 Adonai—He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be discouraged.”  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 22-Jan-2025 22nd of Tevet, 5785
Ex 7:8-8:10 [6] 1 Ki 2 Ps 103 Lk 18 (Eph 2)