King of Israel
He came to Israel as the promised Seed of Abraham – God’s anointed King of Israel. He came only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel for He was their great Shepherd.
‘Fear not’ said He, for mighty dread had seized their troubled minds. This chunk of scripture replayed in the classic Christmas carol ‘While shepherds watched’, says it all.
Messiah King
The shepherds were told that they would recognise their Messiah-King by a special sign: You will find the baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth - and lying in a manger. Heaven rejoiced while Satan fumed in a frenzy of killing, at the birth of the God-Man.
Simple Duty
May this not have been the experience of shepherds following that astonishing night, as the simple shepherds also returned to face the tedious tasks of their daily duty?
In Luke 8:20 we read that: The shepherds returned…..
those faithful shepherds of the sheep.
And these were the shepherds entrusted with the care of this small, precious flock.
Faithful Shepherds
It seems these men, like David the shepherd king, were men after God’s own heart, as night after night and maybe year after year – these ones were unseen but faithful – unseen by multitudes, who daily flocked to the temple to seek YHWH’s forgiveness. Seen by the One who daily covered those sins – until the fullness of time came in.
Greatest Wonder
God used an angelic visitation to inform that motley crew of His greatest gift to man, and they heard and acted; they saw and believed – and they shared this good news, for all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. Luke 2:18.
Spiritual Bliss
How many of us, like these shepherds, have been in the very presence of God? How many of us, recall that wonderful transfiguring time, and long for its return? How many even question the glorious promises, bestowed on us from earlier days? How many start to wonder if the closeness, once discovered, when in His Presence.. was but an illusion; a dream; a forgotten hope; a lost delight – as they also leave that high point in their lives and walk away (leaving their first love).
No doubt the shepherds' preference would have been to remain forever in this zenith. But former spiritual bliss should make us more diligent and devoted in little things: You have been faithful over a little, I’ll set you over much; enter into the joy of your Lord.
One saint of God expressed this 'need' that God places in our hearts like this:- It is more than comforting to realise that it is those who have plumbed the depths of failure, to whom God invariably gives the call to shepherd others.
Such a man also has first-hand knowledge of the loving care of the Chief Shepherd, and His ability to heal one who has come humbly to trust in Him and Him alone. Therefore, he does not easily despair of others, but looks beyond sinfulness, wilfulness, and stupidity, to the might of unchanging love.
Christian Growth
The Lord Jesus does not give the charge, Be a shepherd to My lambs … to My sheep, on hearing Peter’s self-confident affirmation of undying loyalty.
A Quiet Spirit
And He breaks our legs as did the kindly shepherd to the little straying lamb, so that He Himself can find us and gather us up in His loving arms: and carry us on His shoulders.
Jew and Gentile
Christ did not come to save the little band of shepherds alone, as they tended their sheep that night – nor was His role of Redeemer limited to the Jewish nation of Israel, through Whom the Seed was born.
Unique Saviour
He is not only the root and stem of David, but He is the good Shepherd that was born in humble circumstances so that He could save us from our sins and seat us together with Himself in heavenly places for He is our unique Saviour and God’s very Special Gift – so that all Who believe on His name will not perish but have everlasting life.
Gracious-Shepherd
In John 10:11;3 we read: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He calls His own by name… and in Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my Shepherd. Scripture gives us many pictures of God.
He is also our Shepherd – and we are His sheep.
He is not just the Shepherd of the sheep but the good Shepherd.
The false, idol shepherd has come to steal and to kill and to destroy..
yes there is much difference between the real Shepherd and a hireling.
But the purpose of the Good Shepherd is to give life in all its fullness.
Almighty or All-Matey
Whatever happened to the worship of the true and living God Almighty? What has replaced the awe and wonder of the all-powerful, omnipotent Creator? What has been exchanged for the preeminent, omniscient, Lord of heaven and earth? What is this ‘God All-Matey‘ that has crept into the vision of so many today? He is indeed our Saviour and Shepherd; our Friend and Bridegroom, but His loving-kindness has been converted into indulgence. His powerful strength has been metamorphosed into soppy weakness.
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory forever and ever.
God’s Shepherd
How curious that simple shepherds, who were so despised by the Jewish leadership, should have been the first to be told of the arrival of Israel’s long-awaited Messiah-King – for this tiny infant was also God’s Great Shepherd of the sheep – the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for His sheep… and one day He will return to earth as the Chief Shepherd, Who will award the crown of glory to all the under-shepherds of God’s little flock, who have faithfully fulfilled the work that God has prepared for them to do.
Christ the Lord
How astonished that little band of shepherds must have been when first one and then a great multitude of the angelic heavenly host were seen rejoicing and praising God as they preached the good news of a Saviour – born that day in the city of David, Who would bring peace to men of good-will.
And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
Trusting Obedience
What a wonderful example was this trusty band of simple shepherds, for they received the message from the Lord with joy, and straightway acted on it in trusting obedience.
Our Good Shepherd
He is praying for us now, that our faith will not fail – and even when we become faithless, His prayers and pleadings on our behalf are honoured by the Father – for we are kept through His pleading prayers, so that when we do return into His arms of forgiveness, we will strengthen our brethren.
He is praying as our good Shepherd for He knows each one of us by name.
Lamb and Lion
He came to rescue us as our Good Shepherd, for we are sheep without a shepherd. He came as the perfect Lamb of God to pay the shocking price for sin – and He is coming as the Lion of the tribe of Judah – the victorious King of kings.
For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls (1 Pet. 2:25).
It is more than comforting to realise that it is those who have plumbed the depths of failure to whom the Father invariably gives the call to shepherd others.
Such a man also has a firsthand knowledge of the loving care of the Chief Shepherd, and His ability to heal one who has come humbly to trust Him and Him alone.
The Lord Jesus does not give the charge, Be a shepherd to My lambs. . .
Feed My lambs - shepherd My sheep' - is the new commission given to the man who had denied his Lord with an oath.
Coming Messiah
Threading through the Old Testament are prophecies and promises of the coming Messiah Who was chosen of God to be His special representative and anointed king. Many references and titles, names and offices describe this long-awaited Saviour … He was Seed of the Woman; Lion of Judah – Immanuel; Messiah; Mediator and Man. He was the chief Shepherd and faithful Witness and the root and the stem of David.
Keeping Silence
The true Shepherd of the sheep will lead you beside still waters to restore you, but His rod of correction is never far from the silent, seeking solitary soul.
Word of Grace
Fear not, were the first words of grace, spoken to that little band of shepherds – shepherds on a lonely hill in the little town of Bethlehem.
Tidings of Joy
The tidings of great joy declared to the little shepherd band were indeed for all men, for all have sinned and all fall short of God’s glory and all men need a Saviour. Two thousand years ago the Infinite, the Almighty One stooped down into time, so that He could pick up you, a lost, worthless, shame-ridden, miserable worm..
as shepherd’s tended their flocks and Jewish men and women scurried to the town of their ancestry – for an imposed census, required by their Roman conquerors – a census ordained by God, so that the glory of the Lord could once again return to His people.
Return of Glory
But something amazing happened in the little town of Bethlehem, while shepherds watched their flocks that glorious night.
Greater Glory
The glory of the Lord that shone round about that little band of shepherds was to be of far greater glory than the glory reflected on the face of Moses, or the pillar of fire that led God’s people through the wilderness.
Few Shepherds
But the evangelistic baton was passed to a few shepherds who were abiding in the fields watching their flocks.
He passed over wealthy and popular people and instead reached out to a few simple shepherds, with a simple sign, that dark winter’s night.
Insignificant Arrival
Christ’s own humility can be witnessed in His insignificant arrival on earth for He emptied Himself of the eternal glory He shared with the Father and came to earth as a helpless babe with nowhere to lay His head but a feeding trough in a borrowed cave. The shepherds instant obedience to the angelic message can be identified through the haste with which they sped to Bethlehem, to see the thing that had come to pass. But the gospel was not for them only – but a message of hope and joy to all people.
Straying Sheep
How like silly, straying sheep we are wandering from the safety of the shepherd. Though this is an accusation from Isaiah, it needs to be the confession of us all. Each of us pursuing dangerous paths and pleasures away from God’s protection – each going our own way, pursuing our own path – as sheep without a shepherd.
Heart for God
God is looking for men after His own heart like David, who will shepherd His people, and He is searching for prayerful men of integrity, like the prophet Daniel. He is looking for willing men like Isaiah who volunteered to do the Lord’s bidding – trusting men like Habakkuk, who lived a life of trusting faith.
Precious Possession
This precious truth of the profound depth of Christ’s love for His Church demands our rapt attention! We are this congregation of saints that God has given to the Lord.. as His precious possession. We are the flock of God, given by the Father to the great Shepherd of the sheep.
e that believeth on Me shall never die(John 11:26), ..shall not hunger(John 6:35), shall never wander like sheep without a shepherd, he shall have a governing, controlling reality like a shepherd in his life.
save a young, disgraced Jewish couple, entrusted with God’s greatest gift – and a few humble shepherds who came to marvel at the new-born babe.
Unique Visitation
Abel was accepted through a bloodied sacrifice – Peter by the shore of Galilee. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord – Paul found His grace was sufficient. The shepherds were led by a host of angels – the Wise Men followed a star. And on and on – each encounter different, distinct, dissimilar from the other.
Jesus wanted to get across the eternal truth that He was the door of the sheepfold; the only Good Shepherd; the one Way to God; the revealed Truth of God and everlasting Life that only comes from God – for He is God in the flesh.
Jesus had come to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and explained in detail that He was the Good Shepherd Who alone could save His people.
And Jesus is the Good Shepherd of the sheep Who leads and guides, protects and feeds the sheep that belong to Him.
Never forget that the gentle Shepherd of the lost sheep of the house of Israel is God incarnate.
He revealed Himself to David as his Shepherd, Who leads us beside still waters, restores our soul, guides us along the path of righteousness, and protects us in the valley of the shadow of death.
And when He had made purification for our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, for He also said, I AM - the Good Shepherd, and I lay down My life for the sheep.
Isaiah was another prophet who identified Cyrus by name, as God's special servant who would authorise the return of Jews to the land of Israel, for we read: Cyrus is My shepherd, who will perform all My desire!
They are ones that acted as under-shepherds, who teach the truth and adhere to the authority of Scripture and the commands of Christ - the Chief Shepherd of the flock and Good Shepherd of the sheep.
The Lord is OUR Shepherd Who provides all we need for life and godliness.
He is the Faithful Shepherd, Who cares for His people and encourages us to lie down in green pastures.
He is that Great Shepherd of the sheep and the Father of all mercies.
He is the God of all comfort and peace, Who raised Christ from the dead - Whose blood secured the everlasting covenant He promised to His people Israel. He is our Chief Shepherd and Sovereign Lord of all, for He is the Supreme Man and Prince of all pastors and teachers.
He is JESUS, the Good Shepherd of the sheep, Who knows those who are His, and Whose voice is recognised by the sheep of His pasture.
He is the Eternal Shepherd, Who gives His own life for the sheep of His pasture.
Such a scoundrel is not a true and trustworthy shepherd.
He who is a hired hand, and is not a shepherd who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
The True Shepherd of the sheep cares for His flock and is responsible for their well-being.
He loves His people with an everlasting love, but the false, faithless shepherd sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees far away.
He is an idle shepherd who scatters the precious flock.
It is not in a shepherd's job-description to die for the flock in his care, but Jesus came to die for His sheep.
Jesus stressed His identity as Israel's Good and Gracious Shepherd.
Other sheep I have, who are not of this fold, He told Israel. And during this Church dispensation, we have also been warned that there are hired hands who mislead the people, and false shepherds, who are not honest pastors and teachers.
They are faithless 'shepherds', who withstand the truth of the gospel of grace.
Throughout the Word of God, we are warned of false prophets, apostate teachers and hired-hands that are not true shepherds, but manipulative hirelings who lead the people of God astray, place them in spiritual danger and use them for their own personal interests.
But we have a Good and Gracious Shepherd, Who loves us so much that He laid down His life for the sheep.
The more we KNOW His Word, the more we KNOW the Good Shepherd and the closer we become to HIM.
The closer that the Lord Jesus drew to the cross, the more we see His teaching begin to shift away from His early mission, where He came only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as their faithful Shepherd..
God knows that disobedient Israel will one day return to His open arms of love, for they are like a flock of straying sheep without a shepherd and the wounds and pain that have been inflicted due to centuries of idolatry and apostasy will be over, when they acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
Jesus, the Lamb of God and Shepherd of Israel had come to set up His eternal kingdom on earth BUT He was despised and rejected by those He came to save: We will not have this Man rule over us, was Israel’s final pronouncement, Crucify Him!
In this psalm, we see a beautiful portrait of God as our good and faithful Shepherd Who leads us by still waters and guides us into the way of peace.
The picture that is painted in this well-loved psalm of David, is that of our faithful God, our merciful and gracious Saviour, our good and caring Shepherd Who keeps us, protects us, and provides for us through all the changing scenes of life.
It was at this time of intense sorrow and deep, deep passion that the little flock of Christ heard their Good Shepherd say: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, so love you one another.
Zechariah and Jeremiah bemoaned the idol shepherds that would scatter God's sheep and slaughter the little flock..
and God Himself identified the rebellious and apostate nation of Israel as 'sheep without a shepherd'.
Indeed the Lord God in His grace revealed Himself to David as the good Shepherd of Israel and promised that the coming Saviour would one day arise to shepherd His little flock in the strength of the Lord ..and in the majesty of the name of Almighty God.
when the nation will finally have one Shepherd; Who will cause the people to walk in God's ordinances and keep His statutes - indeed Moses himself foretold that from Jacob would arise the Shepherd of God's people, and He would be the Stone of Israel.
Here in Isaiah chapter 40 we hear of the promised Shepherd of Israel, Who will graciously tend His flock like a shepherd and gather the little lambs into His arm.
The Shepherd of God's people is fully and finally revealed in the face of Jesus Christ - and the 66 chapters of Isaiah seem to be a beautiful unfolding of this never-ending story of GRACE.
The verse goes on to explain the reason for this plea: Because of my enemies. David, the shepherd-king of Israel, knew only too well the fear, dread, and heartache of evildoers, adversaries, enemies, and even entire armies against him.
The Lord Jesus is the good Shepherd of the sheep and He knows all the needs of His little flock.
He was their good Shepherd, and He is our good Shepherd Who has the words of eternal life within Himself.
He is the great Shepherd of the sheep Whose blood has sealed the eternal covenant.
He is the chief Shepherd Who has promised us the unfading crown of glory at His coming, and He is our faithful Shepherd, Who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.
It is a heavenly life that has been generously bestowed on all who trust their heavenly Shepherd.
Will persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword separate us from our heavenly Shepherd? And the answer comes from the Word of truth as a resounding NO!
Jesus came as the GOOD Shepherd to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and He led out as many as received Him from the Jewish sheepfold to join His other sheep, His Gentile sheep.
And there shall be one sheepfold and one Good Shepherd of the sheep, for there is now no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus.
Jesus brought peace to Jew and Gentile alike through the blood of the eternal covenant, for our GREAT Shepherd of the sheep came to save all His people from their sins.
And one day He will return as the CHIEF Shepherd and when He appears, all His sheep will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
We are not appointed to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Good Shepherd Who will take us to the heavenly home He has prepared for all who love Him so that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
The disciples had to finally come out of the sheep-fold of Israel to become part of the one new man in Christ where there is one fold and one Shepherd.
The faithfulness, mercy, goodness, and grace of God, are no less true today than during that time when David discovered the Lord was his Shepherd Who gently leads him beside the still waters, faithfully guides him into the way of peace, guards him in the valley of the shadow of death, and prepares a plentiful table of good things in the midst of all his enemies.
David was justified when he was a young shepherd-boy tending his father's sheep, but the more he discovered of the long-suffering faithfulness of God, the more his heart overflowed with thanksgiving and praise.
Sheep and shepherds play a vital role in Scripture.
Sheep have to be guarded from enemy attacks, and guided by the shepherd, because the little flock in their care, often wander away, become fearful or blindly follow the rest of the sheep.
The shepherd must not neglect those in his care.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses were shepherds in Israel, and David was the shepherd-boy, who discovered, the Lord is MY Shepherd, and became the great king, who shepherded God's people, Israel.
Through his royal line was born the Lord Jesus Christ - the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
Biblical prophets, priests, and kings were often regarded as shepherds of God's flock, and imposters were identified as idle shepherds, who would leave the flock defenceless when danger approached and refuse to care for God's people.
God the Father is beautifully portrayed in Scripture as the Shepherd of Israel, Who is mindful of the sheep of His pasture.
The Old Testament is filled with references about good and faithful shepherds, who nurture the little flock of God, in their care.
Even King Cyrus, a pagan Gentile, was identified as God's shepherd, because he was used to fulfil God's plan, when he decreed that Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the temple of God restored.
But the Bible also speaks of evil shepherds, who abandon the sheep when danger comes - imposters who eat their flesh.
Shepherds play an important role in the New Testament too.
The incarnate Word was born in Bethlehem, in fulfilment of Scripture and visited by shepherds.
Jesus came to shepherd His people Israel, and is universally identified as the Good Shepherd, Who gives His life for the sheep.
He is the faithful Shepherd who knows His sheep and whose voice is recognised by them.
Jesus is that great Shepherd of the sheep, Who was raised from the dead through the blood of the everlasting covenant and is also identified as the Door of the sheep-fold.
The apostle Peter further identified Jesus as the Chief of all Shepherds.
He is the Preeminent Shepherd and Leader of all who are spiritually gifted to care for the Church of Christ.
He was to shepherd the little flock of God.
And all who are pastors and elders have this same important instruction, FEED my sheep, FEED my lambs, CARE for my Church, SHEPHERD the little flock of God in your care.
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you... to shepherd the flock of God, exercising oversight.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, he tells them, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
God is no man's debtor, and despite spiritually gifting all who are called to shepherd the flock of God, Peter reveals a wonderful truth that should rejoice the heart of those who are called to be pastors or elders, or those who Shepherd the Body of Christ, for His name's sake.
When JESUS, the Supreme Shepherd returns in the clouds to take us to be with Himself, they will receive a glorious crown, rewarding them for their faithful efforts, that will never fade away.
Unlike the runners in an earthy race who receive a fading wreath of leaves that quickly shrivels and dies, faithful men are to shepherd the flock of God under the authoritative guardianship of Christ.
He is the Chief and Preeminent Shepherd of all God' people, Who will award each of His faithful under-shepherd, a glorious crown, a never-withering garland of glory, an eternal coronet of praise.
Whether this is only given to those who are under-shepherds in a Church fellowship, or whether it is a crown that may be awarded to all who have faithfully served the body of Christ, and cared for the people of God in the graciousness of their heart, under the guidance of the Spirit is not clear, but may we all in humility of heart carry out Christ's will faithfully and fervently, by caring for the Church of Christ, as we look for that glorious day when we will be with our Good and Faithful Shepherd, Who died and rose again so that we might live eternally.
David, the shepherd king of Israel, was described as a mighty and virtuous man, a man of battle, intelligent in word – and Jehovah was with him.Ruth, the grandmother of David, was known as a virtuous woman in Bethlehem, and the good seed in the parable of the sower, is identified as one who, having heard the Word of God, holds fast to it in a just, noble, and virtuous manner, having a worthy heart that brings forth much fruit to the glory of God.Perhaps the best known passage that outlines the exemplary life in virtuous living, is the woman described in Proverbs 31, where a vast array of noble, godly, gracious, and wise attributes are listed.She is a woman of faith, who serves God with her whole heart, mind, soul, and strength.
The Eastern Gate, opposite the Mount of Olives, is the gate through which the Lord Jesus - the Good Shepherd of the sheep - will enter, when He returns to earth at the end of the Great Tribulation, to set up His eternal kingdom on earth.
What refreshment these simple words have bestowed on many little lambs who have listened to the voice of their Good Shepherd; that Great Shepherd of the sheep Who opens His arms wide to embrace all who will trust in His name.
So many of the sacred words that have been penned by Israel's shepherd-king are prayers that have been rehearsed on the lips of many saints over centuries of time, who have found comfort and grace in his pleadings to the Lord.
According to Scripture, Jesus had to offer salvation to His own people first, before He could shepherd the Gentiles into His heavenly sheepfold, and most of His earthly ministry and Messianic claims were directed towards His own people - the Jewish nation.
I AM the Good Shepherd; I AM the True Vine; I AM the Living WATER; I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and Before Abraham was - I AM.
He was their true and faithful Shepherd, and they were the sheep of His pasture.
But there were other sheep in different sheep-folds for the Good Shepherd to care for, and so the Father also GAVE the same unique Son of His love because He loved the world so much that whosoever would believe on His name, would not perish and be condemned, but have everlasting life and be forever free from God's condemnation.
The beautiful figure of the Good Shepherd gently attending to the needs of his flock, feeding them, defending them, guiding them, protecting them, and correcting them is pictured here, for they were to be inheritors of the kingdom, but how few enjoy the true benefits offered to this tiny flock, for most are only interested in earthly provision and temporal needs.
But this little group of Jews were to be guided out of the sheep-fold of Israel to join the other sheep under the care of that great Shepherd of the sheep – for this Good Shepherd gave His life for all His sheep.
The lives of both these kings were used by God to illustrate different aspects of the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ Who, like David, would shepherd His people Israel and, like Solomon, will one day set up His eternal kingdom of peace and prosperity, to the praise of God and for the benefit of humankind.
Indeed, He not only knows us each by name, but He also calls us by name, for He is the Good Shepherd of the sheep Who gave His life for His little flock.
God continued for centuries to unveil His name, His character, and His attributes to His people, Israel, who were to discover the Lord to be their Banner, their Healer, their Peace, their Shepherd, their Rock, their Redeemer, and their King, but eventually God gave the greatest revelation of Himself through the Person and work of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus completed God's gracious revelation to mankind in many ways, but perhaps the most memorable way that Christ unveiled God's name, God's character, and God's attributes was when He said, I AM the good Shepherd; I AM the Vine; I AM the Door; I AM the Bread of Life; I AM the Resurrection; I AM the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.
God in His grace had slowly and beautifully unveiled Himself to His creation as our Father and Lord, our Provider and Peace, and He revealed Himself as our Healer and Helper, our Shepherd and Shield.
he did not attempt to give particular details of the specific doctrinal errors of these false teachings to those in his care. Paul simply taught biblical truth - commanding those that were shepherds to speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
It was by divine design that this Psalm so beautifully describes the Lord God as our great and caring Shepherd, for although it is often used as a great comfort at a time of death or bereavement, it is equally a Psalm that points to the Lord Jesus Christ as our sustenance and support in every season of our lives.
For the Lord is our Provider and Peace; our Strength and Stay; our Righteousness and our Reward; our Sanctuary and our Shepherd.
It was by divine design that David personalised this Psalm to read: The Lord is MY Shepherd.
He is indeed your Shepherd, my Shepherd, and He is the Shepherd of all that love and trust Jesus as Saviour, for we are the sheep of His pasture and none can pluck us out of His hands.
But we can rightly say the Lord is MY Shepherd, for He is with each of us every step of the way, to lead and to comfort, to guard and to guide.
Looking at the relationship of a human shepherd and his flock is a wonderful reminder of our relationship with Jesus.
The sheep recognise the voice of their shepherd, follow him, trust him, and depend on him for food and protection.
The relationship between a shepherd and his flock is very close, both on an individual level and for the flock in general.
Shepherds put themselves in dangerous situations to protect and care for their flock.
What a beautiful picture of our precious Shepherd and we as His sheep.
It was by divine design that the Lord Jesus is so beautifully represented as a tender shepherd; the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for His sheep; the Great Shepherd Who loves His own with a deep compassion; the Chief Shepherd that rescues His scattered straying sheep and gives them life, eternal life, abundant life.
Indeed, the Lord chose David, the shepherd-boy of Israel, to be His servant.
He took him from the sheepfold and raised him up to shepherd Jacob, His people, and Israel, His inheritance.
And of David, who is a beautiful type of Jesus - the true Shepherd of Israel - we read: He shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skilful hands.
By God's grace, may we seek to live our lives according to His Word and for His greater praise and glory as we reflect on His tender mercies and gracious patience - for He is our heavenly Shepherd, and He is our eternal King Who has promised to guide us in the way of righteousness and to uphold us with His gracious hand.
I am sure when Moses set out on his journey, with his shepherd's crook and flock of sheep, he did not expect to see a burning bush that was not consumed, nor be commissioned by Almighty God to rescue His people from Egypt.
A 'rod' or a 'staff' in the Bible was often the limb of a tree or a stout stick that a herdsman would take and whittle into a shepherd's crook.
While the shepherd would use his rod to ward off wild animals, or thieves, who came to break in and steal the sheep, his rod was never used to harm the sheep.
Believers are often referred to as sheep and lambs, while Jesus is seen as the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
A shepherd's rod was also used to count the sheep that belonged to the herdsman.
For instance, in Ezekiel 20 we read, I will take note of you as you pass under my rod. Similarly, a rod was a tool a shepherd would use to rescue a sheep in difficulties.
In times of weakness and weariness, he ran for comfort into the loving arms of his faithful Shepherd and in times of spiritual thirst he cried, Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for David had proved God’s faithfulness towards His people and that His everlasting mercy is new every morning.
Jesus was deeply indignant that the truth of the gospel was rejected by Israel's leaders, but He was also distressed that the Jewish people were like sheep without a shepherd.
Jesus is the good Shepherd of the sheep Who laid down His life for us, and just as the blood of the Passover lamb was smeared on the lintels of their house to cover Israel's sins and redeem them from Egyptian slavery, so the blood of Christ cleanses us from all wrongdoing and redeems us from the slavery of sin.
We are not informed when or why these other articles were removed, but it is likely that Israel was unaware of the glorious antitype, to which they pointed (Jesus, the living Bread of Life; Jesus, the Good Shepherd of the sheep; Jesus, the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek; Jesus, the coming Judge of those who rebel).
As Israel fell into apostasy, it is likely that the pot of manna and shepherd's rod became objects of worship, which would have devalued the significance of the Mercy Seat which covered the broken Law and all it meant for sinful man.
In this middle section of this Psalm, he changes from talking about his Shepherd Who leads and guides him, feeds and waters him, protects and revives him, to addressing the Shepherd Himself: For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
David knew of the multi-functional task of the shepherd's rod, which could be used to stun or kill a ferocious beast that was attacking a vulnerable little lamb, could be used to rescue his straying sheep, and could be used to count each one as they filed past the comforting shepherd's crook and into the sheepfold for the night.
But no matter what dangers stalked the progress of the little flock along their pathway, their shepherd was there to guide them and protect them.
The valley of the shadow of death becomes the pathway to life and peace to all Who follow the Good Shepherd Who gave his life for His sheep.
David discovered the Lord was his Tender Shepherd Who laid down His life for the sheep, and Ezekiel worshiped the Righteous God Whose name is JESUS.
All of us who run to Him as their Creator and Redeemer, discover Him to be our Perfect Peace, our Gracious Shepherd, and our Everlasting Righteousness.
He is the Chief Shepherd of the sheep, and pastor-teachers are called to be under- shepherds; to care for the flock of God, to protect the people of God, to guide, to discipline, and to teach the whole counsel of God to the Church, and this is carried out through the systematic and clear teaching of the God-breathed Scriptures
From the time he was a young shepherd boy, David loved the Lord with his whole heart and was able to proclaim that the Lord was his strong Protector and faithful Deliverer.
Many heard the testimony of the Bethlehem shepherds when Christ was born, or who were acquainted with Zechariah who had been visited by an angel to inform him of the birth of his son, John.
Despite their ups and downs, faults and failings, there was a remnant in Israel that never failed to trust in the Word of the Lord, and one such man was David, the shepherd-boy who became king of God's chosen people.
Zechariah writes of the time when the true Shepherd of Israel would be rejected and crucified, and gives a shocking chronicle of the consequences of His rejection.
He speaks of the day when they will be delivered over into the hands of an idle shepherd, and Jerusalem will become a burdensome stone to all the people of the earth.
They had heard the astonishing claims of this 'Teacher' who swept aside the deeply entrenched traditional teachings of the elders by declaring, You have heard it said of old, but I say unto you... They were fully aware of His Messianic claims, as He proclaimed, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the door of the sheepfold, I am the Bread of Life that came down from heaven, and I am the Living Water, that will refresh your weary souls.
Wise men had been supernaturally led to worship the newborn King, and some simple shepherds had been told the glad tidings that a Saviour was born.
He was sent by God to be the Good Shepherd of His people, Israel, but He would be led as a lamb to the slaughter and would lay down His life for the sheep.
The Messiah of Israel was God incarnate, and on this occasion He presented Himself as the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for the sheep.
Referring to Himself as the Shepherd of the sheep was a metaphor that was easy to understand during the time of Christ, for there had been many prophets, priests, and kings in Israel's history who were seen as shepherds to their people.
Abraham, the father of faith, was a shepherd, as were Moses the prophet and David the king.
Jesus contrasted His own position as Good Shepherd Who kept, protected, and provided for the sheep with the prideful Scribes and Pharisees, whom He identified as false and evil shepherds of Israel, and whose wicked motives were rooted in hypocrisy, pride, unbelief, and selfishness.
Jesus used this analogy of lost, needy sheep and a good, faithful shepherd many times.
He called the Jews: The lost sheep of the house of Israel, and described them as sheep without a shepherd.
He promised that no one will pluck them out of His hand and He also explained that He had other sheep who were outside the sheepfold of Israel, and that He would lead them out of one sheepfold and into another and there would be one fold and one Shepherd.
In this passage, we catch a glimpse of the approaching Cross, where the good Shepherd will lay down His life for the sheep - and not only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel but also for His other sheep which are outside the fold.
Our Good Shepherd is not only the One Who guards and guides, feeds and protects us, but He is also the sacrificial offering Who laid down His life for the sheep.
Man's sins however, were only covered until the promised Messiah would arrive on the scene, and prophets, priests, and kings foretold of the coming Good Shepherd of Israel Who would also become the sacrificial offering for the sin of the whole world.
In the past, it was an innocent little lamb who died as a temporary covering for man's guilty sin, but here we read that it is the innocent Shepherd (God incarnate) Who lay down His sinless life for the lost and guilty sheep of the house of Israel - and not for them only, but for all lost and guilty sinners who will trust in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
As the perfect character of the all-powerful and omniscient Lord is unveiled to humanity, we discover that the Good Shepherd of the sheep is the holy Son of God - the second Person of the Trinity Who took on mortal flesh so that He could become our Kinsman-Redeemer and sacrifice His sinless life to save the sheep of His pasture.
One identifying mark of these false shepherds was a lack of care for the flock, combined with a selfish, money-grabbing, and controlling nature for their own well-being.
And although Micah was a prophet that wept and mourned for the sin of the nation and the coming destruction upon his people, he also was caused to rejoice that God would once again be the good Shepherd of Israel - Who would wipe away every tear from their eye.
It was Ezra the priest who oversaw the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, which fulfilled a prophecy that had been given hundreds of years earlier, by Isaiah the prophet: Cyrus, is My shepherd, who shall perform all My pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, 'Thou shalt be built'; and to the temple, 'Thy foundation shall be laid'.
He is our Rock and our Refuge; He is our Strength and Shield; He is our Defence and our Defender; He is our Good Shepherd; He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
We were are bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ Jesus our Lord, and the life we now live in the flesh is His life, for He is our Shepherd and we are the sheep of His pasture.
The Lord Jesus is the express image of the invisible God, and during His earthly ministry had been revealing the 'I AM' of the Old Testament as the Good Shepherd, the Door of the sheepfold, the Light of the world, the Bread of life, the living Water, the Resurrection, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (abundant life, eternal life), for in Him was life and His life is the light of all mankind.
He knew He was about to be rejected and crucified, but His plea continued to be towards the lost sheep of the house of Israel whom He would take out of the Jewish sheepfold and join together with His coming Gentile flock so there would be one flock and one Shepherd.
The Lord could easily have done all these great things without informing David - but in His grace and love, and according to His knowledge and wisdom, the Lord shared this information with the shepherd king of Israel who recognised the loving-kindness of his Creator in giving him this information.
Having been born in Bethlehem, eight days earlier, and worshipped by a little group of shepherds, the baby Jesus was brought to the Temple complex to be circumcised.
This book paints a beautiful portrait of the never-ending love story Christ has for His Church, and permits us a peep behind the scene of Solomon's household, the Shulamite woman he woos, and the love she has for her absent shepherd-lover.
Sarah with Abraham, Rebekah with Isaac, Rachel with Jacob, Ruth with Boaz, and the Shulamite woman with her beloved shepherd, are all precursors of the Church and Christ: Listen!
Here in chapter 2, we find the beautiful, Shulamite woman reminiscing about a visit from her shepherd-lover, whom she adores so dearly.
Two further interpretations portray the Shulamite woman as the little faithful remnant of Israel who stays true to her first love, the true Shepherd of Israel.
The former portrays Solomon as a type of Christ pursuing His Gentile Bride (the other sheep He has from a different sheepfold), while the latter pictures Jesus as the absent Shepherd of Israel Who will one day return to the faithful little remnant of the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
There are reminders for the Church that despite His long absence, the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd of the sheep, is coming soon to take us to be with Himself and we should yearn for His return as passionately as the Shulamite woman desires her shepherd.
There are also reminders for Israel to turn from their idolatry, repent of their past sins, and trust in God and Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd of Israel Whom He has sent.
It describes two shepherds - Jesus as the true Shepherd of Israel Who was betrayed for the price of a slave (30 pieces of silver) - and here in this verse, we read about the coming worthless shepherd who abandons the flock of God and justly deserves condemnation.
Israel rejected the good and gracious Shepherd Who was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel at His First Coming.
His name is Jesus, and He came to His own, created world in His Father's name and was not accepted by His own people... and yet there is coming a false and idle shepherd who will come in another name, pretending that he is the Messiah, and he will be accepted - how tragic.
This is a prophecy which was partially fulfilled at Christ's First Coming when the true Shepherd of Israel was rejected and crucified.
However, the worthless and idle shepherd who is the subject of this verse, is yet future.
Zechariah gives a description of this worthless shepherd.
In Revelation, we discover the identity of this worthless shepherd in the, yet future, Tribulation period.
This shepherd is none other than the Antichrist.
How sad that Israel rejected their true Shepherd, but will accept this worthless, counterfeit fellow.
However, God is faithful to His people and we read that the strength of this idol shepherd will be terminated.
Let us not fix our eyes on the Antichrist, but on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, our blessed Saviour, the true and faithful Shepherd of His sheep.
And yet these same friends would abandon Him, deny Him, or betray Him in a few brief hours so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled which was spoken of by the prophets: Even my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, who did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
The God of Peace started to unveil Himself as, The Lord our Peace, to the frightened Gideon, and He expanded man's understanding of peace to David the shepherd-king, who discovered Him to be the One Who gently leads us beside still and peaceful waters.
It was the shed blood of the holy Lamb of God, that great Shepherd of the sheep, Who was sent into the world by the Father, so that fallen man could have peace with God.
God granted their request and gave them Saul to be their king, but because of his disobedience God removed Israel's dashing but defiant king from Israel's throne, and chose David, a young shepherd-boy to become the nation's greatest ruler.
He moved the hearts of kings and shepherds and touched the lives of wise men and townsfolk, in order to fulfil that which was spoken of by prophets of old.
While David was a young herdsman who discovered that Lord was his own, personal Shepherd, Who provided for his every need, gave him peace in his heart and sustained his soul, he grew up to be a man who loved the Lord.
From his early years, when he tended his father's flock... to his dying days as the shepherd-king of Israel, David was a man who proved the Lord to be a faithful God, Whose Word was to be trusted.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want... David wrote, as he meditated on Scripture, day and night. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
The Lord restores my soul, he continues, He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. These beautiful words are from the canticle that has comforted multiple millions of weary souls, and encouraged countless generations, since the time that Israel's beloved Shepherd-King, penned this well-loved Psalm.
Rather, as we meditate on these simple truths, we discover their significance is magnified and multiplied... for it is as we reflect upon these comforting words that we find in them the beloved face of Jesus, Who has become our own Good Shepherd.
Our great Shepherd of the sheep will not lose one of us, however much we stray from Him, for we are protected in the powerful palm of His pierced hand and we are covered by the caring love of our heavenly Father.
David, the shepherd king of Israel, gives the most beautiful and complete exhortation to bless the Lord for His grace and mercy, as he catalogues many unfathomable truths within this simple and well-loved Psalm.
It was obvious that some sort of health issue was causing his adversaries to gloat over David's incapacity, and as well as his restored health, this shepherd-king of Israel gave thanks to God because the uncharitable gloating of David's enemies over his debilitating illness, had been halted.
For God alone is our salvation and strength, He alone is our Rock of defence, our Shepherd and King, our Lord and our Life - our Way, our End, and our God.
He had come as the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, and the Living Water of Life eternal.
Maybe they were simply speaking of their physical need, but maybe they understood that before them stood the promised Messiah of Israel, the Shepherd of the sheep Who would give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
God has so often been portrayed as the faithful Shepherd of His people and in his prayer to the holy One of Israel, Micah is asking the Lord to continue to feed His flock, and to graciously shepherd His chosen people.
Throughout their history God has faithfully watched over His people, tending to their needs and defending His little flock from many false and idol shepherds..
The Lord in His grace has promised to feed His flock like a shepherd, and gather the little lambs into His loving arm.
Yes the Lord is indeed the good and faithful Shepherd of His people - Who willingly gave His life for the sheep, and we discover Micah praying into these precious promises, on behalf of the nation of Israel.
He came to His own people as the good and faithful Shepherd Who gives His life for the sheep.
Jesus continues to be our great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant..
He is the One Who brought us out of darkness into His glorious light and Jesus is our wonderful chief Shepherd Who has promised us the unfading crown of glory..
Christ is not only the good Shepherd of Israel, but He is our good and great Shepherd as well.
Did she recall the visit of the local Jewish shepherds, the Gentile wise men from the east, the flight into Egypt, and so many memories of His childhood?
And they were also exhorted to shepherd the Body of Christ which is the Church, reminding them (and us) that we were purchased with His own precious blood on Calvary's Cross.
Let us pray for those that are overseers in local churches and shepherds in the Body of Christ today, that each one may take to heart this important command to be on their guard for their own spiritual well-being, and to take responsibility for protecting all the flock of God with sound doctrine and a disciplined life.
He is the Mighty Sovereign Ruler of the universe and great Creator of all Who is enthroned above the Cherubim, and yet He is our good and gracious Shepherd Who leads us beside still waters, restores our soul, guides us into the way of righteousness, and is our ever-present help as we travel through the valley of the shadow of death.
Luke sets out a timeline that begins with His birth at Bethlehem, His presentation to shepherds in the field, circumcision, dedication, and presentation to saints in the Temple.
The rebellious and complaining nation needed to be reminded of WHO God is and that their God was the all-powerful Creator, the generous Provider, their strong Tower, their Shepherd, their Peace, and their Defender - their ever-present help in time of trouble.
It identifies the Messiah as the true Shepherd of Israel, speaks of His rejection and betrayal, and foretells of Israel's acceptance of a worthless, idle shepherd, who will rob and slay God's people during a time of Great Tribulation.
Their eyes will be opened and their hearts will be grieved over their national sin, and many prophetic Scriptures will become crystal clear as they welcome back their True Shepherd of the sheep, the Good Shepherd of Israel Who laid down His life for His people.
Our Good and faithful Shepherd gently leads and guides the sheep of His pasture in the best way that each of us should go.
When we have a heavenly Shepherd that supplies all our needs, how foolish to seek out the stagnant pools and broken cisterns of that this world supplies, and how careless to become engulfed in the floods of fancy that knock on our doors, or become embroiled in the whirlpools of life's disasters.
Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, our Good Shepherd Who restores our soul by making us to lie down in green pastures and gently leading us beside his waters of stillness.
Jesus is the Great Shepherd of the sheep, the Good Shepherd Who gives His life for the sheep.
He is the only Shepherd Who remains faithful unto our life's end.
Jesus is my Shepherd, and He is your Shepherd too.
We can rely on our Good Shepherd.
We can trust our great and gracious Shepherd.
We can abide in our faithful Shepherd and lie down in the green pastures to which He leads us in safety, for even when our life-journey is fraught with difficulties and hardship: We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
What refreshment is available to us, what deep, rejuvenating rest we can experience when we lie down in the green pastures of our Good Shepherd.
God knew that David, the shepherd-boy from Bethlehem, was a man after His own heart, and so Samuel was sent to anoint the youngest son of Jesse, in place of Saul.
The terrible persecution and severe martyrdom this great multitude will have to endure, ends in a triumphant heavenly scene... and we read that they will not hunger or thirst anymore... nor will they have to endure the blistering sun beating down on their parched lips and emaciated bodies, for the Lamb in the centre of the throne will be their Shepherd.
Jesus is the good Shepherd of Israel, and He is the Great Shepherd of all His sheep.
Jesus became our Gentle Shepherd when we trusted Him as Saviour, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, Who died as Israel's Passover Lamb and gave His life as the ransom price for His little flock in the Church dispensation - but Jesus also gave His life for these Tribulation sheep, just as He did for you and for me.
Many heard of the angelic message which was given to the shepherds, TODAY in the city of David is born a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord, they were told.
This glorious message was given to a rag-tag band of simple shepherds by a heavenly angel.
Wise men had travelled from the east to worship Him and had asked King Herod, where is He that is born King of the Jews? Indeed, the religious leaders quickly supplied the correct answer from their holy Scriptures, In Bethlehem of Judea, they proudly announced, for this is what has been written by the prophet, Micah: 'and you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the princes of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.' But why didn't these knowledgeable Scribes and Pharisees join the wise men in their holy search and rejoice with them that Micah's great prophecy had finally been fulfilled.
Why did these learned men dismiss the supernatural testimony of the shepherds who had hurried to Bethlehem to see this wonderful thing that had come to pass, which the Lord has made known to them... and why did they dismiss this serious inquiry of the wise old sages from the east who had travelled a great distance to witness the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy, from Israel's own sacred Scripture?
So WHY did these religious priests and Pharisees ignore the shepherd's testimony, the inquiry of the wise men, the fulfilment of Micah's prophecy, the proclamations of Zechariah, the songs of Simeon, the old priest, and Anna, the aged widow woman... both of whom rejoiced publicly and took the baby Jesus in their arms and blessed Him at His dedication service in the Temple of God?
God chose shepherds and kings, fishermen and farmers, tax-collectors and priests, a physician and a Pharisee, old men and youths - and He moved them to record the sacred text.
God is our Strength and Stay, our Shepherd and Shield, our Protector and Provider, our Defence and Defender, our blessed Hope and the God of our salvation.
I appeal to you elders, as a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed - to shepherd the flock of God among you.
They are commanded to shepherd the people of God.
Peter was one who had himself followed the true Shepherd of Israel, and heard Christ proclaim, I am the good Shepherd, for He laid down His life for the sheep.
Peter was not only forgiven of all his sins, but re-commissioned by the risen Lord Jesus Christ to be His chief apostle who would feed His sheep, shepherd His lambs, and unlock the kingdom of heaven to Jew and Gentile alike, as he shared the wonderful gospel of grace.
However, David learned from his youth to get his eyes off his enemies and to keep His focus on Jesus, the God of heaven and earth Who alone was his shield and buckler, and Who alone was his shepherd and the lifter up of his head.
It is the man or woman who has reached the end of their tether, that gasps for the still pools of deep refreshment that no one but the Good Shepherd of the sheep provides for all those who are His.
We think of Joshua, who was strong and very courageous, whom God chose to lead the people of Israel across the Red Sea and into the promised land, and of David, the shepherd boy of Israel who was chosen to be king and who penned many psalms that have encouraged multiple generations.
Christ was certainly to be the Seed of the woman as promised to Adam in the idyllic garden, but His ancestry must also be traced through Abraham's promised Seed, and through the royal line of David, Israel's great shepherd-king.
He pledged to feed His flock like a Shepherd and committed to gather His little lost lambs into His own loving arms.
These words of Isaiah were indeed good tidings of great joy to the little, faithful remnant of Israel, but they are words of great comfort and succour to all who are weary and heavy-laden, both Jew and Gentile alike, for He sent Jesus to be the good Shepherd of the sheep, the Door of the sheepfold, the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the Light to all who would trust in His name for the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.
Just before God was finally to shepherd His people into the land of Canaan, Moses reminded a new generation of Israelites of the character and attributes of the only true and living God Whom they served.
The people of God should not be worried or concerned about such things as food to eat and clothes to wear, for He is our Shepherd and Provider, and has promised to supply all that we need.
What a glorious sight those shepherds must have encountered that night when the angel of the Lord suddenly appeared before them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them - as they tended their little flocks of sheep, on those dark hills encircling the little town of Bethlehem.
David took time to recall the many mercies of God and the tenderness of his Good Shepherd. You have taken account of my wanderings, he wrote, You have collected all my tears and put them in Your bottle.
What a beautiful yet simple picture of the future restoration and reunification of the two divided and dispersed houses - Israel and Judah, into one, spiritually alive, united kingdom - with ONE fold and with ONE Shepherd.
And yet we are the sheep of His pasture and we are His little lambs that need to be nurtured and protected by our Good Shepherd.
Twice in this chapter, the Lord identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd.
The first time identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd of Israel.
Jesus is the door of the sheep-pen, and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.
But this Great Shepherd of Israel is our Good Shepherd too - for we are the 'other' sheep that this Good Shepherd has that are not of the fold of Israel, and He lays down His life for us as well.
In this beautiful passage we gain a little glimpse into Christ's worldwide sheepfold that is the Church, where believing Israel and believing Gentiles are brought into one-fold with one Shepherd: And I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice; and they will become one flock, with one Shepherd.
What is beautiful about our Good Shepherd is that He knows every one of His sheep.
What a blessing that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and He knows us all so well.
Christ's discourse in John Chapter 10 thrills the heart of every child of God, for Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd, Who not only knows our name but lays down His life for the sheep.
Our long suffering God Who strives with fallen man has opened a door of salvation, which invites all guilty sinners to look to Christ and live - but it can only be accessed by the Door of grace - through faith in Christ's sacrificial work at Calvary - and that Door is still open today, for Jesus is the Door and Jesus is the Way - and Jesus is the good Shepherd who is still seeking that which is lost.
Amos was a simple shepherd from Tekoa, who was commissioned by the Lord to pronounce severe judgement on the surrounding nations and certain cities which encircled God's chosen people.
By God's grace, Israel's rejection of their Bridegroom caused those that were outside of the commonwealth of Israel to be brought into the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd - Jew and Gentile alike.
Little children and young people were being brought to the Good Shepherd for His blessing... and yet the demonstrable hardness of these disciples' hearts is only counterbalanced by Christ's strong rebuke of their behaviour towards these tender hearts - hearts that were open to His saving grace.
Rather than seeking to avoid the child-training we receive from our Heavenly Father or bemoaning the discipline we may receive from His hand, we would be wise to recognise God's chastening rod as proof of our kinsmanship with our Good Shepherd and as the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit within our hearts.
Although he was sending written directives to the young pastor Timothy, on how to shepherd the flock of God that was under his care, we can all take to heart the wise instruction given here, on how to become a man or woman of God, so that we conduct ourselves in a manner that is honouring to the Lord and faithful to our position in Christ.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd Who has said He would never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what situation we find ourselves in, no matter what difficult life-circumstances we face.
Sheep are timid, easily panicked, more comfortable in a flock, have no means of self-defence, extremely helpless, and need the most care of all livestock - completely reliant on the shepherd caring for them.
May we, like sheep who know the voice of their shepherd and stay close to him, know the voice of our Shepherd.
The man who fears the Lord is the one who will receive wisdom from on high... and this Psalm was written by David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem whom God anointed to be Israel's great king... for David was a man who reverenced the Lord.
And what a beautiful description Micah gives of the Lord Jesus, Who would arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of God's powerful name.
As both the root and stem of king David, the Lord Jesus alone is qualified to fulfil this eternal role as heavenly Shepherd of Israel, for we discover that a future adversary of the nation, will rise up in the end times - but he will be fully and finally defeated by Israel's Shepherd King and as promised to Abraham, David and His seed forever.
who are eternally separated from their Creator God, ends in the eternal kingdom of the great Shepherd-King of Israel - the last Adam and federal head of a new creation of humanity, seated on the throne.
The good Shepherd of the sheep continues to be the coming hope and consolation of Israel..
From Abel to Abraham, from Moses to David, and from Amos to those men in the fields of Bethlehem who were keeping watch over their flocks by night, we see God using shepherds as an illustration of His loving-care for the needs of His people Whom He describes as little lambs and wandering sheep - lambs and sheep who have been led astray by false, destructive, and idle shepherds.
He also uses the lowly shepherd as a beautiful picture of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ, the good and faithful Shepherd of the sheep Who sacrifices His life for the sake of the sheep.
He is the great Shepherd of the sheep Who cares for His flock - and gently leads those that are with young.
Jeremiah mourned that, God's people have become lost sheep Their shepherds have led them astray.
Despite wandering far from their blessed Shepherd, He cares for them with a deep and tender love.
Our great Shepherd is long suffering and of great mercy, for He recognises that His sheep have become scattered afar and dispersed abroad by their enemies.
God's chosen people, Israel, have been led astray by many false and careless shepherds over their difficult history.
In that day, the lost and wandering sheep of God's own pasture, who have been devoured and devastated throughout many centuries of time, will be reunited to the good and faithful Shepherd of Israel.
Their idle shepherds have led them astray and they have wandered about from land to land, from mountain to hill, and have forgotten their resting place.
BUT the Lord is still their Good Shepherd and He will one day return from heaven to lead them into green pastures.
Praise God for JESUS - Israel's good and faithful Shepherd-King.
Fear not were the first words that were spoken by the angel of the Lord, who came upon an insignificant group of shepherds, when they were abiding in the fields one night, keeping watch over a flock of sheep - close to the little town of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem was the city of David, through whom God had promised to send a Saviour, Who would shepherd His people Israel.
God chose to reveal this wonderful news to a little group of simple shepherds on a Judean hillside, who believed the prophecies of old and demonstrated steadfastness by faithfully tending this little flock of sheep.
Some think these were animals that were destined to be sacrificed during the approaching Passover feast, but these humble shepherds were ordained to be the first people to hear of the good news that Christ is born in Bethlehem.
One can hardly comprehend the enormity of that amazing message, which was given to those simple shepherds on the Judean hills near Bethlehem as they watched over their flocks by night, that glorious day when Christ was born..
Just like a caring Shepherd is happy to find his lost sheep, so the Lord Jesus always rejoices when the straying sinner turns away from sin and back to Himself.
Gideon found Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord is my Peace), and David, who knew that Lord as his Shepherd, was also told that He is the LORD of Hosts: Thus you shall say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.'
David was reminded of his humble beginning when God sent Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel, and David, the simple shepherd boy who tended his father's sheep and protected them from a lion or a bear, was chosen to become Israel's greatest king.
He is the good Shepherd of His people; the Rock of our salvation, and a stronghold in time of trouble... and He travels with each one of His people through the valley of the shadow of death, and no one who puts their faith in Him will ever be disappointed.
He is our representative Man, our gracious Shepherd and the caring Overseer - (or Pastor) of our souls, Who teaches, trains, guides, chastens, and protects.
He reminds us that Jesus is also the good Shepherd of the sheep, Who not only laid down His life for us, but is the great Shepherd, and Bishop of our soul, Whom God raised from the dead, through the blood of the eternal covenant.
You were as sheep going astray, Peter reminds us, You were continually straying and wandering away like sheep, he continues, but now you are returned unto the Shepherd, Who is also the Guardian or Overseer of your souls.
For we were like sheep wandering far astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Pastor of our souls.
It was David, the shepherd king who was moved by the splendour and majesty of God's handiwork to pen this hymn of praise to his Creator God.
No doubt David also recognised the unmistakable signature of his faithful God, Who was the good Shepherd, Who provided all he needed, led him in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake, and promised a table of plentiful supply in the face of his bitter enemies.
Jesus is our Heavenly Shepherd Who came from His home above to gather all who would follow Him and believe on His name, to become one fold with one Shepherd.
Jesus is our caring Shepherd Who guards and guides us, Who feeds us and tends us, Who protects us and loves us, and Who intimately knows each of His own, by name.
There is a special relationship between shepherds and their sheep.
It is said that sheep recognise the voice of their shepherd and will respond to that voice over any other.
Some have said that shepherds will break the leg of a little lamb that keeps straying from the flock, and carry the lamb - as such forming a strong bond so that the little animal will not stray again, once her leg has mended, but stay close to the shepherd.
Shepherds have a very close relationship with their flock and there are many stories of shepherds courageously protecting their flock from wolves and other wild animals.
There are, no doubt, times when a loving shepherd has lost his life trying to protect his flock from such wild beasts.
What an amazing picture, therefore, of Jesus, our Good Shepherd Who gave His life that we might live.
Hearing and recognising the voice of our good, heavenly, caring Shepherd, comes from listening to His still, small voice attentively, hearing the Word of God repeatedly, and trusting the truth of all that He says – trusting the gracious words that proceed from the mouth of our great Shepherd of the sheep, for He has promised that none shall pluck us out of His hand.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord (my heavenly Shepherd), forever.
Only those who enter the fold through faith in HIM will discover He is the good Shepherd, Who leads us by still waters, restores our soul, and satisfies us with good things.
Jesus naturally started speaking to them the word of life, and proclaiming the good news of the gospel of God and the coming kingdom, for He knew that they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Sin must, therefore, be punished... and so we see in Isaiah's prophetic writings, numerous examples of tribes and nations, cities and all peoples, being warned of coming devastation and catastrophic ruin, before being promised a time of justice and righteousness which will spring forth when Christ is heralded as the coming Shepherd of Israel - and acknowledged as the eternal King of righteousness.
We do not have a vague, impotent God, but one who is our Good Shepherd Who works on our behalf, Who guides our feet into the way of peace, and Who Himself equips us for all that we need to carry out His plan and purpose in our lives.
and the son of man, that You should care for him? - and I am sure that both as a young shepherd boy and Israel's greatest king the psalmist often looked into the starry heavens and meditated on the astonishing reality that God created man in His own image and likeness - that God entrusted the dominion of the whole earth into the hands of man.
When Jesus said, I Am the Good Shepherd, He claimed to be the true Shepherd of Israel.
He declared Himself to be the legitimate Shepherd Who was anointed by God as foretold by prophets of old.
Jesus came at God's appointed time to protect the sheep of His pasture and to expose the false, careless shepherds who slaughtered the sheep, scattered the flock, and created havoc and hardship within the sheepfold.
The idle shepherds of Israel were careless with God's people devouring the flock, abandoning the sheep, and scattering them far and wide.
Not only was Jesus the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for the sheep, but He also claimed, I am the door. He said, I am the door of the sheepfold, if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
The shepherd would act as door, or doorkeeper, by blocking the entrance to the pen with his own body so that no lion or wolf could secretly enter the enclosure and destroy his flock.
The sheep would respond to their shepherd's voice... and he would both guard the sheep against all enemies and allow them to go in and out of the sheepfold, to find pasture.
Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd Who leads His flock beside still waters causing them to lie down in green pasture; He also protects the vulnerable little lambs and His defenceless sheep from all the evils that stalk His people.
No wonder the great Shepherd of the sheep told His disciples, Fear not, little flock,... For like a shepherd He will tend His flock.
In the early verses, we see Him as the one, TRUE Shepherd from God Who was prophesied of old to give His people safety, liberty, refreshment, and protection as opposed to false herdsmen who are a gateway into death and destruction.
The red skies of evening would inform the shepherd of the warm and clement weather he was to enjoy on the morrow, while the ruby-red streaks of early morning light would warn the fisherfolk of stormy weather ahead.
No wonder the shepherd king of Israel started his hymn of reverential praise with the words: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Over 100 years before he was born, Isaiah identified Cyrus as God's servant and future shepherd who would perform all God's pleasure.
Cyrus did not worship the God of Israel, nor did he believe in Him, and yet God used this man to shepherd His people, Israel, back to their native land.
Indeed, there are crowns and rewards for teachers who shepherd the flock of God, bring others into a closer understanding of His Word, and edify the Body of Christ - through their desire to teach the truth of our wonderful Saviour.