History Of The Eta Judges Short Staff
Back in 1997, on the campus of Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana, Eta Judges Chapter—the 7th Chapter of Gamma Phi Delta Christian Fraternity Inc.—was founded and established and I officially became the Charter Secretary/Historian/WebMaster/Publicity Chairman. It is therefore part of my duty and responsibility to tell the story of this Chapter; however, this portion will NOT be about the entire chapter. This portion will focus primarily on one unique aspect of Eta Judges Chapter—the cane, short staff, or hooked rod.
Shortly after this Chapter was established, we found that we were received very well by most organizations on the campus, especially those with Greek Letters. Ironically, the exceptions were some of the other Christian organizations. Sidestepping that issue and problem, for the time being; we (Eta Judges Chapter) still found it difficult to minister to others. After investigating I found that Eta Judges Chapter was the anomaly on the campus and people did not understand us and therefore could not relate to us.
It turned out that fraternities and sororities, on the campus of Grambling State University, are expected to have a cane of some kind; so when we would go minister to them, we had nothing to show. No cane, no paddle, no staff, no rod; nothing…. People knew about Psalms 23, “…Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me…” and people were wondering why we, a Christian Fraternity, did not go that particular route. When I explained to them that Gamma Phi Delta Christian Fraternity Inc. did not support that, they simply did not understand why not. Eta Judges Chapter received more rejection and confused looks than acceptance and understanding, because of this lack of understanding from those outside G-Phi-D.
In 1998, at the 10 Year Gala Anniversary of Gamma Phi Delta Christian Fraternity Inc., I had the opportunity to ask some of the National members why G-Phi-D did not have canes and if Eta Judges Chapter could adopt the cane for the purpose of ministry. I was told; “Yes…” by National, that Eta Judges Chapter could adopt the cane and use it a witnessing tool for the CHAPTER, if everyone agreed to it. I was then cautioned about the possible consequences of the cane being a negative representation of what G-Phi-D stands for because of negative secular stigma attached to it. I kept those things in which I was told in mind and preceded to talk to my Chapter President. He, just like National, cautioned me and then he and rest of the Charters voted against it.
Reasearch Into The Rod & Staff
Having met with that block, and still being driven by GOD, I decided to do some detailed research about Ps 23—focusing primarily on the rod and staff. I wanted to answer the questions of, “What is the difference between a rod and a staff” and “Why are they singled out the way they are in Ps 23?” Being led and driven by GOD, I pulled from the information, clues, and suggestions provided to me from history, other people, and the Holy Bible (Psalms 23 especially and specifically). After much research I finally found, compiled, and organized some very important (and critical) information that could help support the use of the cane by a Christian organization like Gamma Phi Delta Christian Fraternity, Inc. as a witnessing tool for GOD.
Armed with that information, and the new knowledge and understanding I’d gained from fasting, prayer, research, and a lot of studying; I then had to decide on who to approach and how best to reintroduce this matter to the Fraternity. GOD led me to start at the chapter level beginning with myself. I needed to live and teach the meaning of the cane, from a Christian point of view.
I already knew how to twirl rifles, sticks, umbrellas, etc.…so it was a small jump for me to learn how to twirl a cane. At that time, I studied martial arts so I combined what I knew from military drill team with what I knew from martial arts and picked up on some things that I saw others doing; and taught myself. This reminds me of Exodus 4:1&2;
“1) And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. 2) And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.”
My thought, at the time, was that since the chapter would not adopt it, I could still learn to twirl just for personal knowledge, skill, and entertainment. Over time I found, from talking with my martial arts instructor, that the cane was an actual martial arts weapon. This further drove me to learn how to use it, especially since I needed to find a weapon for martial arts. In spite of how it seems, I never lost sight of the real reason for me using the cane and my primary objective—to show that the cane can be used as a witnessing tool for GOD.
As I walked around campus with a cane taped in black, I got a lot of questions about it. When I told those that asked me about the cane I carried and twirled and what it represented (and still does represent) to me as a Christian; this had some people in doubt. It was when I was able to justify my statements by using proof and illustrations from history AND the Holy Bible that many people became impressed and loved the positive spin that was being put on the cane—and the WORD spread. People became intrigued and excited that a Christian Fraternity was using a cane to represent GOD and Christianity—even though I continued to tell them that G-Phi-D does NOT support this and that Eta Judges Chapter had NOT agreed to it.
Over time, the rest of the Charters of EJC came to recognize that GOD was taking something that had a negative stigma to it and was using it for HIS GLORY by showing the light hidden within the darkness of it. I recall a scripture; Acts 10: 14 & 15 which reads,
“14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15) And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.”
The ultimate question that I was asked was what does the cane mean and represent to a Christian Fraternity or Organization. This is where the real history comes into play. What follows is where and why Eta Judges Chapter ultimately adopted the cane and began using it as a witnessing tool.
Everything previously stated is what lead to Eta Judges Chapter adopting the cane [agreeing to the use of the cane]. It did not become official until I, EJC’s Charter Secretary/Historian, provided the following information and explanation, AND when ALL the rest of the Charters of EJC agreed to it. It was also agreed that if a member chose NOT to use the cane, that it was that individual’s right and nothing would be held against that person and no negative view would be had of that person.
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We, the Charters of EJC, understood that GOD has different things for different people and some people are simply better without the use of the cane; however, we also did NOT want to stand in the way of a ministry that GOD has BLESSED someone else to have and/or the avenue of the use of a symbol or thing that GOD wants to use for HIS Glory. For these reasons, once the explanation that follows was provided, understood, and agreed upon, did the Charters of EJC officially adopt the cane as a tool for ministry and the continued spreading of GOD’s WORD.
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Meaning Of The Cane/Staff
When I was asked what the cane represents; I basically said that the cane is used as a reminder to us that Christ Jesus is the Shepherd [Over Shepherd] of our life. I also pointed out that the cane is symbolic of a shepherd’s staff.
Back in the days the shepherd used their staff as a means of support to lean on when they were tired because they would have to stand for long periods of time faithfully watching over the flock of the over shepherd. It also aided in their walking as a means of support, stability, and checking the path in front of them and the flock for pits and holes. It also allowed them to safely remove and/or handle some dangers (such as serpents or other animals) that might cross the path in which the shepherd led the way. On that note, it also provided a means for the shepherd to quickly and safely rescue sheep that had fallen into a pit or that wandered into the path of danger.
Back in the days, the curved the curved end of the staff was normally wide enough to fit around the neck or body of a sheep or goat. This allowed a herder to catch an animal that strayed away from the main herd and reroute them to a different, and safer, direction.
Matt 18:12-14
12) How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13) And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14) Even so it is not the will of your FATHER which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Luke 15:3-7
3) And HE spake this parable unto them, saying, 4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
The rod or club was used more for protection from predators such as animals or other people. It could also be used similar to that of a billy club (police baton) and could be thrown at impeding danger and even used to gain a degree of leverage (like using the handle of a lever) when the staff was inconvenient and/or too cumbersome, or inappropriate.
So, how does that translate to us today? Good question.
Meaning Of The Rod/Cane (Short Staff)
For us, we could use the short cane as a symbol of the long staff. In fact we could even call it a short staff instead of a cane. For us it would represent us being the shepherds that GOD has put in charge of HIS flock and us reaching out into the darkness of this world and pulling those that are lost to the LIGHT of CHRIST. It could also be viewed as us extending a helping hand to those in the world that desire to be saved. This is similar to that of a lifeguard who; when someone is drowning, instead of going into the water, extends a pole with a curved/bent end to hook around the person or to allow the person to grab on to; and then the lifeguard pulls them to safety.
Romans 5:6-11 reads,
“6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9) Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10) For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11) And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.”
I have also learned that the rod was similar to that of a scepter. In other words, it was use to distinguish the princes that GOD had called to rule over each house. In the 17th Chapter of the Book of Numbers, God told Moses to;
“2) Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes accourding to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod. 3) And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.”
When each tribe had laid his rod in the tent of meeting, Aaron’s rod bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. This was God’s way of showing the special calling HE put on Aaron.
We, the charters of Eta Judges Chapter, also agreed on a standard way of taping the cane.
We agreed that, if one had enough tape, the entire cane would be taped in solid black electrical tape. It would then be taped with white and there would be three sections of navy blue (regular blue if navy blue is not available). There would a maroon (red if maroon/burgundy tape is not available) stripe from the tip of the crooked end of the cane to the base of the cane.
Symbolic Meaning Of The Taping
The black underneath represents the darkness before the light as represented by Genesis 1:1&2 and John 1: 1-5. The white represents the purification of the cane for use as a witnessing tool for GOD. It also represents the LIGHT of CHRIST that shines in and pushes back the darkness. The 3 sections of blue represent the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT. It also serves another more subtle and unique purpose. When done properly, it allows the user of the cane to know were the center of gravity of the cane is. This allows one to maintain more control of the cane. The red stripe that spirals from tip to tip represents the gentle flowing of the BLOOD of CHRIST JESUS that covers us, and our sins, allowing us to seen by GOD as perfect.