Symbols and Similitudes: Sticks and Staves

“And you, son of man, take a single stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Judah and to the Israelites associated with him.’ Then take another stick and write on it: ‘Belonging to Joseph—the stick of Ephraim—and to all the house of Israel associated with him.’

Then join them together into one stick, so that they become one in your hand.

So I pastured the flock marked for slaughter, especially the afflicted of the flock. Then I took for myself two staffs, calling one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock.

Next I took my staff called Favor and cut it in two, revoking the covenant I had made with all the nations.

It was revoked on that day, and so the afflicted of the flock who were watching me knew that it was the word of the LORD.

Then I cut in two my second staff called Union, breaking the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.