means the rod of war. But the child who was to rule all nations is the Prince of Peace, and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. It is impossible that the Prince of Peace should rule all nations with the rod of war.
Then is it the rod of oppression?
"He comes to break oppression,
And set the captive free,
To take away transgression,
And rule in equity,"
says Dr. Isaac Watts.
Then is it the rod of severity? "He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break, the smoking flax shall He not quench, until He sends forth judgment unto victory; and in His name shall the Gentiles trust." He is going to gain the victory and rule all nations with a rod of iron, without any severity.
The Psalmist says of His rule, in Psalm 72:6, that "He shall come down like the rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish;
