Sheep And Shepherds
When the prophet Isaiah described the nature of sin in mankind, he used the metaphor of sheep. “All we like sheep have gone astray – everyone – to his own way,” (Is. 53:6). The Middle East, in Bible times, understood the nature of sheep much more than we do in our modern, urban society. So let me share with you urbanites some facts about sheep. First of all, they are not very smart. They follow the crowd. They panic easily and are vulnerable to disease, pests and are easily killed by their enemies. Their only defense is to run and if they fall and roll over on their back, they cannot get up by themselves. Sheep are dependent on a shepherd. They can’t discern for themselves if the water they are drinking is fresh or polluted. They don’t like to be sheared, (cleaned), and if left to themselves will wonder off, looking for easier places to rest.
It is quite embarrassing to be compared to sheep, but, I am sure, you can see why the Lord would use this metaphor. We have a “sheep nature”, but God is our Shepherd. David, who was a shepherd, wrote one of the most beloved and well known passages in the Bible, in which he introduces to us YHWH-Rohi, The Lord my Shepherd, (Psalms 23). Based on his own relationship with God and his experience as a shepherd, David describes what a good shepherd is. He said that, with the Lord, you will be totally safe. All your needs would be met and you wouldn’t have to worry about anything. When the enemy would try to attack, the Lord would defend us. When we stray away, the Lord would draw us back in with His staff and correct us with His rod.
Yahweh-Rohi gives refreshment and restoration to a weary soul. When we feel like giving up, He carries us over his shoulder. His path, may not be the easiest, but leads us up to the greenest of pastures.
David could face the giant Goliath with just a sling and stone, because he knew just as he killed the lion and bear that tried to kill his sheep, the Lord, as His shepherd, would help him kill the enemy of Israel, (I Samuel 17:34-35). David knew there were other shepherds, and some not so good, but he made it clear that the Lord is our shepherd.
Jesus said of Himself: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep,” (John 10:11), and, “I am the good shepherd and I know my sheep and am known by my own,” (John 10:14). By receiving Jesus into our lives as Lord and Savior, we can come to know God as our YHWH-Rohi.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalms 23; 80:1; Is. 53:4-6; Mat. 9:36; John 10:11-14