For generations this comforting Psalm has been repeated. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3
The Old Testament is full of shepherd imagery.
Jacob on his deathbed gave this testimony about God’s shepherding care over him:
“… the God before whom my grandfather Abraham
and my father, Isaac, walked—
the God who has been my shepherd
all my life, to this very day…” Genesis 48:15-16
David recognized God as the powerful Shepherd of Israel. “O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory.” Psalm 80:1
The ancient prophets, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Micah revealed God as a loving and attentive Shepherd.
“He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Isaiah 40:11
“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.” Ezekiel 334:11-12
“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.” Micah 12:4
Not only was God pictured as the great Shepherd, but his appointed leaders were regarded as shepherds of the people.
Moses was commissioned by God to shepherd his people out of Egyptian slavery and toward the Promised Land. I had forgotten that the staff that turned to a snake, the staff that brought and closed the plagues, and that opened the Red Sea was Moses’ old shepherd’s staff that he had used for forty years to lead sheep in the desert. Now he would lead people in the desert for forty more years. I wonder if the sheep were easier!
Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. Exodus 4:2
And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.” Exodus 4:17
David, the teenaged future king and giant killer, used the simple tools of shepherding to defeat the enemy.
“He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:40 (I had also forgotten that David had both his sherpherd’s sling and his shepherd’s staff with him as he went to battle the giant.)
At his coronation in Hebron these words were spoken: “And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’
So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.” 2 Samuel 5:2
At Jesus birth, foreign dignitaries arrived in Jerusalem to honor the infant King. But the ruling king was not happy to hear of a new king. Murderously curious, “He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:6
The leaders were referencing Micah 5:2,4
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times…
He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.”
As an adult, Jesus clearly claimed the title, Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.” John 10:14
Although the ancient Scriptures foretold that the Messiah would be a Shepherd King, Jesus would wait to claim the full title of King until the end of the age when he will indeed rule the earth as King of kings and Lord of lords. During his life on earth, because of his power and popularity, his political enemies feared his imminent kingship. But he had come in humility to accomplish the first part of his Messianic mission- the rejected servant of Isaiah 53 who would give his life as a sacred sacrifice. We now look forward to the second part of his Messianic mission when he will come in irresistible power to wipe away all that is wrong and shepherd his people to peaceful pastures and life-giving water.
“the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
At times there were evil shepherds who didn’t care for the sheep. They are our negative examples to show us what not to do.
“…a foolish shepherd. For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care (pay attention, count) for the lost, or seek (look for, search for) the young, or heal the injured, or feed (provide for, sustain, supply) the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep…” Zechariah 11:16
The foolish shepherd displeased God because he didn’t notice who was missing. He didn’t look for the young who may be on the outer perimeters. He didn’t give healing attention to the hurting. He didn’t provide daily sustenance for the healthy. From this negative list, we see what God does expect from us as his undershepherds. He desires that we act like Jesus, the great Shepherd, who went looking for the outliers, gave loving attention to the young, helped the hurting, and day by day gave spiritual food to all who would listen.
It isn’t just patriarchs, ancient kings, and the Messiah who were good shepherds, but to this day there are good shepherds in God’s kingdom. You may be one of them!
“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.” 1 Peter 5:2-4
Although this advice was given to the elders leading churches, the principles apply to all of us entrusted with the care of others. We are the undershepherds given responsibility by the Great Shepherd to give earthly care to others in his physical absence. The emphasis on our attitude isn’t lost on me. “Willingly, not grudgingly”. How many times as tired, frustrated parents or discouraged teachers are we tempted to begrudge our time poured into those in our care? But we’re commanded to have willing hearts, choosing to give out of eagerness to serve God no matter how those we care for are responding. We don’t lead with force but with the power of humility and a good example. We know that God sees our sacrifices and will reward us far beyond what we deserve.
“God has been my Good Shepherd all the days of my life.”
Much comfort and joy.
Yes! Agreed! So much comfort and happiness with the Good shepherd.