Summary: Just as Moses had the Rod of God in the OT we have the Holy Spirit in the NT. The Rod was that which God used to demonstrate his power in the OT. He chooses the HS working on our lives today to demonstrate his power

The Rod of God

Pastor Jamie Wright œ Maranatha Fellowship Church œ 08-15-04

Exodus 4:20 and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.

Numbers 17:9 and they looked, and took every man his rod.

One of the most devastating and costly mistakes made by some churches of our day is their conscious denial of the working of the Holy Spirit.

Today, many of those mainline denominational churches openly deny the fundamentals of the faith. These churches have degenerated into mere social clubs and religious organizations that are empty and void of any spiritual blessings from God. As a result of their denial of the true ministry of the Holy Spirit, Icabod (meaning the glory of the Lord has departed) has been written over their doors.

A.W. Tozer said, gIf the Lordfs people were only half as eager to be filled with the Spirit as they were to prove that you canft be filled with the Spirit, the church would be crowded out.h

In todayfs era of rapid travel, discussion concerning an ancient, rather obscure and primitive rod or shepherdfs staff seems odd. The rod seems as old as Moses and as lost as a sheep in a wilderness, yet it still has great significance for us today.

I want us to look at the Rod/Staff. Hebrew word gmettehh means Rod or staff. It is an interchangeable word. As we look at the rod in the Old Testament and what it was used for and how it was used, I want us to look in the New Testament at the parallels of the Holy Spirit.

Because the rod (Holy Spirit) is so unfamiliar and foreign to most of us, allow me to dig it up, dust it off and introduce you to this priceless tool.

The rod/staff is mentioned over 250 xfs in scripture.

The Rod of Defense- The shepherdfs main means of defense against wolves was the rod/staff.

David had his staff with him when he went out against Goliath. (I Sam. 17:40)

In the NT Ephesians 6 tells us that we are in a spiritual battle, not a fleshly one. We also know that our weapons are not carnal (fleshly) but they are mighty. Powerful, dynamite. That means they are spiritual. Where does that power come from? The Holy Spirit. So, as the rod/staff was the defense mechanism for the shepherd in the OT, the HS is our defense in the NT.

The Rod of Power- The OT means of demonstrating power came from the rod. It was used in performing miracles. Moses at the crossing of the Red Sea, smote the rock and water flowed, throws it down and it became a serpent and swallowed Pharaohfs magicians snake.

We know that only true miracles come through the POWER of the Holy Spirit. The mere mention of the word power brings an air of fascination, wonder and longing. It is probably the most sought after property or distinction on earth, even more so than wealth, fame or wisdom. How do you get POWER? Real POWER?

Acts 1:8 gYou will receive POWER after the Holy Spirit has come upon youch

The rod of power was held in Mosesf hand, now it can dwell in you. The miracles that Moses performed while using the ROD of God that was in his hand can be experienced by you and me if we will allow the Rod/ THE HS to fill us and give us His power. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and God is All-powerful.

The Rod of Guidance- The rod or staff was used to prod the sheep in the right direction. Sometimes the sheep wanted to get out of line.

All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way.

The HS then reaches out and brings us back in line, he leads and guides us.

The Lord knows exactly what we face and He knows exactly what we need. He has given us the HS to live within us to guide us.

Romans 8:14 gFor as many as are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God.h John 16:13 The HS will guide us into all truth

And thine ears shall hear a voice behind thee saying This is the way, walk ye in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.h Isaiah 30:21

The HS guides by showing, announcing and declaring things to come. The HS shows and declares and announces the Word of God to the heart of every believer. As believers we must be dependent upon the HS es leadership in learning and in walking in the truth.

The Rod of Comfort/Support- The rod was a long stick with a crook or hook on the top that was an indispensable piece of equipment to the shepherd. It was an aid in climbing hills, beating down the brush, driving off beasts of prey and directing stray sheep.

Since he could only carry the barest of essentials, it was his most prized possession. It was a precious COMFORT to the shepherd as he leaned on it for support.

Psalm 23:4 cthy rod and they staff they comfort me.

What did Jesus tell his disciples the HS would be? A Comforter is coming

John 14:26, 16:7 Jesus refers to the HS as a comforter.

The HS comes as a comforter and he gives us peace and support in the middle of the storms of life. We have no need to fear anything, if we have his Spirit in us.

If our lives are full of stress we need the HS to fill us.

If our lives are full of doubt, we need the Comforter to fill us

If you are down and depressed, you need the support of the HS to fill you

If you are surround by difficulties and canft seem to find the help you need, let the Help of the HS fill you.

David was thanking God for the comfort the rod and staff gave him and today just like the shepherds rod, you can use the HS to aid you in your life, to beat down the cares of this world like brush, to drive of the prey of the enemy and guide you down the right path God has for you. You need filled with the HS.

The Rod of God is a:

Rod of Teaching

Phillip Keller is a shepherd and he has written a book entitled, A Shepherdfs Experience. In the book he clearly describes three areas of sheep management in which the rod plays a significant role and a close with these three:

The first one is to draw sheep together into an intimate relationship. The rod/staff is used to gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it close to its mother if they became separated. It was used by the shepherd to reach out and catch individual sheep, young or old and draw them close to the shepherd for intimate examination.

Secondly, as I stated earlier, the rod is used for guiding the sheep. IT is not used to beat the sheep. Rather, the tip of the stick is laid against the animalfs side and the pressure applied guides the sheep in the way the shepherd wants it to go.

Lastly, it was not uncommon for the shepherd to find sheep stuck in the briars of a rose bush where they had pushed in to find a few mouth fulls of grass. Son the thorns are hooked to the wool and they could not possibly pull free, tug as they might.

Only the use of the staff/rod could free them from their entanglement.

What are you stuck in today? How long have you been try to pull free from its grips? Tug as hard as you want, you canft get free. But the HS as the rod of God can pull you from your entanglement today. Do you want to be free again?

Be filled with the HS.