It seems that most men have a propensity for untidiness. This doesn't mean that they are naturally slovenly, but they have a different agenda and priority perspective than women. In his undomesticated state, a paper wad that misses the basket is not a high priority item. A work bench or desk can remain in a cluttered condition without undue anxiety. Discarded clothing hung over a chair or dropped on the floor is not a source of irritation; they will be hung in the closet sooner or later, so what's the sweat? Bachelor apartments are noted for their rather unkempt appearance. One of the biggest adjustments to the domestication of married life is to remedy this male propensity. This change into a tidier lifestyle involves a certain amount of prodding. However, it is a fine line between prodding and nagging, and women must use infinite feminine wisdom so as not to engender a negative reaction.
Herding cattle also requires the use of a prod to persuade recalcitrant bovines to cooperate with the wrangler. This prod is equipped with a high voltage charge that has a real sting. Cattle are particularly sensitive to electric shock as testified by the effectiveness of electrified fences. Even a single electrified wire can discourage the hardiest heifer. Stun guns are a form of prod to disarm and disable a dangerous criminal.
The Bible has numerous examples of when God had to use a prod to accomplish His plan. Abraham needed some prodding to leave his home in Ur and venture into a strange and hostile land. Moses needed the prod of a voice from a burning bush to motivate him to go back to Egypt. Jonah was prodded for three days in the belly of a fish before he was willing to go to Nineveh. Nebuchadnezzar was prodded three times by the holy watchers before he was willing to admit that God rules in the affairs of men. Cyrus was prodded for twenty-one days by Michael and Gabriel before he agreed to let God's people return to Jerusalem from captivity.
Yes, God has prodded a lot of people, but perhaps the most outstanding example is Saul of Tarsus. Saul was a high ranking, well educated Pharisee, and he had been given the commission to round up Christians for imprisonment and even execution. As he witnessed the stoning of Stephen, his conscience was pricked, and he was on his way to Damascus when he had a vision that changed his life. Jesus Christ appeared to him and demanded that he stop his persecution of Himself and His people. Then Jesus asked him a question, "Why are you kicking against the goads" (Acts 9:5)? To what goad was Jesus referring? It was his conscience as prodded by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit continues to prod us today, and in this sense, the Holy Spirit is "the Divine Prod."
