Simple research tells us that sheep were a prominent animal in the Bible, providing many necessities for people in ancient Middle Eastern cultures: Food: milk, meat, and were often used as sacrificial animals; Clothing: Sheepskins were made into clothing and coverings for walls; Income: Sheep were a primary source of income; Other uses: Sheep horns were used as musical instruments or to hold oil, and their fleece and skins were used as a medium of exchange and for parchment to write on. In our culture, we don’t think of sheep as valuable, but in Bible times they carried several important uses.
Jesus was always looking for ways to relate to his listeners, and what better way to relate than using the imagery of sheep. Because of the value of sheep, there were often those who would attempt to steal a shepherd’s sheep. As a result, the shepherd was very careful to watch, count, and protect his sheep. In fact, at night, sheep were often gathered into a sheep pen to protect them from thieves, weather, or wild animals. The sheep pens were caves, sheds, or open areas surrounded by walls made of stones and branches. The shepherd often slept in the pen to protect the sheep.
Jesus is called the GOOD SHEPHERD! Why? Because he was willing, and indeed did, give his life for his sheep. The prophet Ezekiel predicted that the coming Messiah would be a “shepherd to his sheep!” Notice Ezekiel 34:22-24: “I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.” The imagery is a “future tense” picture of God caring for his sheep.
There are a couple of important applications to our devotional for today. First of all, know the difference between the shepherd and the “stealer!” There are people and places that will steal your joy and purpose. The good shepherd always takes his sheep to pastures that are green. The false shepherd attempts to take the sheep to pastures that are greedy and guilt-producing. Know the difference. No matter how tantalizing something might appear to be in the moment, always count the cost of the collateral damage. Satan wants to steal from you; God wants to secure you, as a true shepherd does for his sheep. Second, and lastly, follow the “Good Shepherd” in all that you do. Historically, sheep are some of the “dumbest” animals. It’s true that they will literally “walk off a cliff” to their demise if they don’t have strong leadership from the shepherd. What this means is that you must intentionally follow the “Good Shepherd” in daily disciplines of both positive and “negative” growth. From a positive perspective, you must be in God’s Word and prayer every single day. From a “negative” perspective, you must learn to “bounce your eyes” from anything that would tempt you to follow a different shepherd. In other words, don’t underestimate your tendency to sin without protective boundaries in your life. You’re a sheep. I’m a sheep. We all need the protection of the “Good Shepherd” in our lives.
I am so glad that I have a Lord and Savior who has my best interests in mind. He knows what I need even when I don’t. He knows what I don’t need even when I’m asking for the very thing that could ruin my life. The fact is: the shepherd is much wiser than the sheep! It is in your best interest to follow the “Good Shepherd” in all that you do, which means learning from God’s Word what that looks like on the daily. Take a few minutes and read Psalm 23 today and be incredibly grateful that the “Good Shepherd” is always one step ahead of his sheep who he deeply loves! We. Are. Blessed.
Jesus was always looking for ways to relate to his listeners, and what better way to relate than using the imagery of sheep. Because of the value of sheep, there were often those who would attempt to steal a shepherd’s sheep. As a result, the shepherd was very careful to watch, count, and protect his sheep. In fact, at night, sheep were often gathered into a sheep pen to protect them from thieves, weather, or wild animals. The sheep pens were caves, sheds, or open areas surrounded by walls made of stones and branches. The shepherd often slept in the pen to protect the sheep.
Jesus is called the GOOD SHEPHERD! Why? Because he was willing, and indeed did, give his life for his sheep. The prophet Ezekiel predicted that the coming Messiah would be a “shepherd to his sheep!” Notice Ezekiel 34:22-24: “I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the Lord have spoken.” The imagery is a “future tense” picture of God caring for his sheep.
There are a couple of important applications to our devotional for today. First of all, know the difference between the shepherd and the “stealer!” There are people and places that will steal your joy and purpose. The good shepherd always takes his sheep to pastures that are green. The false shepherd attempts to take the sheep to pastures that are greedy and guilt-producing. Know the difference. No matter how tantalizing something might appear to be in the moment, always count the cost of the collateral damage. Satan wants to steal from you; God wants to secure you, as a true shepherd does for his sheep. Second, and lastly, follow the “Good Shepherd” in all that you do. Historically, sheep are some of the “dumbest” animals. It’s true that they will literally “walk off a cliff” to their demise if they don’t have strong leadership from the shepherd. What this means is that you must intentionally follow the “Good Shepherd” in daily disciplines of both positive and “negative” growth. From a positive perspective, you must be in God’s Word and prayer every single day. From a “negative” perspective, you must learn to “bounce your eyes” from anything that would tempt you to follow a different shepherd. In other words, don’t underestimate your tendency to sin without protective boundaries in your life. You’re a sheep. I’m a sheep. We all need the protection of the “Good Shepherd” in our lives.
I am so glad that I have a Lord and Savior who has my best interests in mind. He knows what I need even when I don’t. He knows what I don’t need even when I’m asking for the very thing that could ruin my life. The fact is: the shepherd is much wiser than the sheep! It is in your best interest to follow the “Good Shepherd” in all that you do, which means learning from God’s Word what that looks like on the daily. Take a few minutes and read Psalm 23 today and be incredibly grateful that the “Good Shepherd” is always one step ahead of his sheep who he deeply loves! We. Are. Blessed.