Love and Correction

Many people raised in the Christian faith memorized the 23rd Psalm when they were yet children.  This Psalm of David is held in high esteem by both Jews and Christians as an expression of joy in the Lord, our shepherd, our provider, our guide, our protector, and our salvation.  Most people, even those of other faiths or no faith are familiar with this Psalm, given its value as literature and its frequent use.
 
This morning, though, we will focus on one line, quoting from the KJV: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It was only recently that I really grasped the import of the rod and staff imagery.  We readily think of the shepherd using his staff to rescue a sheep from a pit, and this is good.  We may think of the rod as an instrument of protection used by the herder to fend off the wolves.  Also good.  But it occurred to me that the rod throughout scripture was a symbol of the head of household, and even as the Master is the Head of His flock.  Moreover and equally important, I think, we see references to the rod as an instrument of correction.  You may verify this observation by checking some of the references listed at the end of this article.  These will suffice for openers.

From the Pentateuch: 

Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the Lord thy God chastens thee.  Deuteronomy 8:5

From the Proverbs:  

He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes. Proverbs 13:24

And from the Revelation:  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.  Revelation 3:19

 Because He loves us he corrects us, guiding us from sin and error.

For whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. Hebrews 12:6

If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?  Hebrews 12;7

Are you comforted by the Lord's correction?

References:  Deuteronomy 21:18, 2 Samuel 7:14, Job 5:17,  Psalm 94:12, Psalm 118:18, Proverbs 3:11. Job 5:17 1 Corinthians 11:32