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During the most ancient times, shepherds used staff to lead their flock; they also used it as a weapon to protect themselves from harm. In many societies, the shaman, witches, rulers, healers, wizards, and other spiritual leaders walked with a staff; The Bible also mentions staff many times; therefore, the staff holds a powerful spiritual significance.
Spiritually, the staff symbolizes the spiritual powers of the truth derived from God. In the book of Exodus, when Moses lifted his staff, some miracles happened. Meanwhile, the staff is also seen as a cosmic conduit between heaven and earth. Its magical power can allow the holder of it to connect both worlds.
Furthermore, staff also symbolizes leadership because it's used for leading and managing sheep. It represents the concern and compassion that the shepherd has for his sheep.
The staff signifies all that is long-suffering and kind.
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Aside from staff, another thing that's almost the same with staff is the rod. Let's find out how do these two differ.
What does the staff of God represent in the Bible?
Usually, the staff is used in three ways. The first use is to draw sheep together into an intimate relationship.
It's a particular interest during the lambing season because, in a large flock, there are dozens of lambs being born simultaneously.
Hence, it's easy for the ewe to lose her lamb in all the confusion. The shepherd makes sure that the right lamb gets into the proper awe.
For people with only a few sheep, it's not a problem at all. However, the staff becomes an essential tool for hundreds of ewes in one flock.
As much as he can, the shepherd watches the lambs being born. Then, if there's any confusion between the lamb and the ewe, he uses his staff to hook the lamb around the neck through the body, pick the lamb, and carry it to the correct ewe.
He cannot touch the lamb because if he touches the lamb, the ewe will not suckle since there's a wrong odor. The smell of the man and the ewe fear it.
These are the lambs that one may see people feeding with a bottle. The staff is used to bringing the lamb into an intimate relationship with its ewe.
The second way is that the staff is used to reach and grab a lamp for close inspection. It frequently precedes the passing under the rod.
The shepherd will hook it by the neck or leg and lead it to where he will assess it.
Lastly, the staff guides the sheep as they move along because the sheep tend to wander off. They will always think that the pasture is greener somewhere else, where they will start to wander away.
The entire flock will be going away, but there will be one that heads in its direction. The shepherd will use the blunt end to jab the sheep in the ribs, then nudge it back in the flock's direction.
The staff denotes God's spirit. It means gentle guidance, whereas the rod represents sterner measures, like offense or defense.
God will lead and guide by His spirit. If you read John 16:13, where Jesus told His disciples that He would not leave them to fend for themselves, instead, He will give another guide.
But when the spirit of truth has come, it will direct you into all truth; as it will not speak on its authority, but whatever it hears, it will speak, and it will tell you things to come.
Shepherd's staff in the Bible
In Psalms 23:4, “For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The psalmist's staff can have different meanings, depending on how it's used. The staff could be a wand, crutch, walking stick, or support in the Old Testament.
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For Psalm 23, the staff represents two different things.
A staff gives rest. Psalm 23 starts by equating the Lord with a shepherd, where it says, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Therefore, you know that you're referring to shepherding tools.
A shepherd will use a staff to lean on in case the ground is not dry or safe for sitting.
Nowadays, the staff symbolizes that you too can find rest when you lean on the Lord. When you lean into Him, He'll lean into you.
He is both the shepherd and the staff that supplies all the rest you need when you lean on Him.
Next is that the staff is your rescue. God uses His staff to save you from difficult or dangerous situations.
In the field, the shepherd will use the curly end of the stand to pull a sheep or lift it if it happens to fall. Likewise, God will rescue you the same way.
Whenever you experience trouble, He promised to be right there to save you and lead you to safety.
Dream meaning of staff
Seeing a staff in your dream represents excellent power. If a person sees that he is holding one of these, he will become mighty.
Seeing a staff in your dream suggest that this person is honorable, strong, powerful, and helping the people. People who see a broken staff are dismissed from their duty, especially if he's civil servants.
When you dream of staff, it points out a confidential person. A person who dreamt of hitting the stone with staff and seeing the water boils and flows from it, his wealth will increase.
Dreaming of staff signifies prohibition, command, victory, and meeting your wishes. To see staff in a dream suggest a snake or magic.
Sometimes, the staff denotes an atheist because it is made of wood, and wood represents an atheist man.
A dream about holding a staff symbolizes friendships or relationships you've gone awry. You are weighed down by your emotions or by negative situations.
You're not yourself, and it stands for an ending of some carnal behavior. You are lessening the effect of a negative event.
This dream signals regrets when closing some personal relationship. You lack discipline and are hesitant to take the initial step toward a goal.
Your dream is a warning sign of the anxiety and fear you are experiencing. You are losing your influence.
When you hold a staff in a dream, it points to a threat of failure in your endeavors. You have to free yourself from repetitive situations.
Perhaps, you have failed to listen, and as a result, you are alienating them. This dream is a warning for broken relationships or attempts to rebuild ties.
You have to focus and start a new one.
It could also mean that you have overlooked some problems in your life or not confronted your emotions. You rely on others to get you through tough times.
This dream is a warning sign of filth, dirtiness, and death.
Meanwhile, dreaming of holding a three-prong staff means an honorable and powerful person. To see staff in the dream signifies a sign of asking for help from someone honorable and powerful that helps the people.
When you see the wand in your hand broken, it indicates that you'll be dismissed from your position. On the other hand, seeing yourself transform into a staff signifies death.
Rod spiritual meaning
Notice how the sheep can pass under the rod. Aside from being an instrument of both offense and defense, the rod is like a two-foot club.
It also works as a tool under which the sheep pass. So, what does it mean? First of all, it denotes counting.
The shepherd can count the sheep in his flock, so make sure they are all present and accounted for.
Aside from counting, it symbolizes the word of God, where they would undergo scrutiny. The shepherd could run his rod backward or across the grain.
It can separate the wool by allowing the shepherd to look down onto the sheep's skin. He can see both the quality of the skin and the wool.
God is showing that through His rod, He will give us careful and close scrutiny for two reasons: it allows Him to assess the quality of the sheep and provides a way of separation.
If you read Matthew 25, it's about the separation of the sheep and the goats. The rod will assist in making sure of possession.
The sheep's ears were often bored as a mark of identification. Since the shepherds do not always see that identifying mark because several flocks are mixed, they will allow the sheep to pass under the rod.
The shepherd will flip back the ear to see the mark when they do this. Again, it helps them evaluate and determine the relative health and quality of the sheep.
Like sheep, people are all under the rod right now. Now is the time of judgment, and you are under the evaluation to whom you belong, is it to God or Satan. Who is your shepherd?
The rod is an essential instrument of the shepherd.
Karen Hyman
Karen is a Psychic Medium, a Professional Astrologer, a Spiritual Advisor, and a Life Coach who has been in this career for 19+ years. She specializes in numerology, tarot and oracle cards, twin flames, love & relationships, zodiac, horoscope, dreams interpretation, and astrology. She aims to provide comfort and assurance using her abilities to offer answers to those who seek professional guidance. Read More About Karen Here.
