The Lord, Our Shepherd

(Ps. 23 & 121)

In the Bible God refers to his people as sheep nearly 200 times (e.g. Ps. 80:1, 100:3, Isa. 40:11, Jer. 23:3,
Ezek. 34:11-31, John 10:1-16, 1 Pe. 2:25)

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Heb. ra`ah, shepherd, companion, teacher

Appeared & will appear openly, by the front door, not by stealth (John 10:1-3)

Leads His own and they recognize His voice (John 10:4-5)

Offered his very life to save His sheep (John 10:11 & 17-18)

Offers us:

Freedom from want (Ps. 23:1, 2 & 5, 34:9, Matt. 6:33)

Heb. chacer, want, lack, fail, shrink back, diminish, experience bereavement, lose respect

Contentment (Phil. 4:11-19, Heb. 13:5)

Abundance (Ps. 23:5, 31:19, John 10:10, Eph. 3:20, Mal. 3:10)

Rest/Peace (Ps. 23:2, see also Job 34:29)

What does a sheep or a baby need in order take a nap? They need to feel full, cared for, quiet
and safe.

Still waters allow for reflection, meditation, prayer, awareness

Sheep will not drink from a body of water unless the water is still.

Restoration (Ps. 23:3)

Heb. nephesh, life, mind, soul

My family’s time in Mount Olive has been like a refreshing pause in our lives

Direction (Ps. 23:3, John 10:4-5, Luke 1:79)

He leads, but to have these benefits, we must keep our eyes on Him and follow(Prov. 3:19-26)

For His name’s sake? (Ps. 31:3, Prov. 8:20)

Security/Freedom from fear (Ps. 3:5-6, 23:4, 27:1, Isa. 41:10)

 What is the valley of the shadow of death? (Matt. 4:16, Luke 1:79)

Preservation/Protection from harm (Ps. 23:4, 121, 145:20)

Heb. shamar, watch, preserve, keep

From attack

Sheep are essentially defenseless

The rod was an instrument that could be used like a club on predators of prey.

From accident/capture (Ps. 121:3, 1 Sam. 2:9, Prov. 3:26)

Heb. mowt, stumble, be shaken, waver, be captured

The staff was an instrument like a long cane where the shepherd could pull a sheep
back to safety from the danger of falling off a cliff.

From “scorching” & “moonstroke” (Ps. 121:5, Isa. 25:4, 49:10, Rev. 7:16)

Heb. tsel, shade, shadow, defense

Heb. nakah, smite, slay, kill, beat, wound, subjugate, cause to be judged

God = SPF infinity!

Ancient belief that moonbeams can cause “lunacy”.

From all harm (Ps. 121:7)

Safe passage (Ps. 121:7, Deu.28:6)

If you are following His route!

Goodness (Ps. 23:6, Eph. 5:9)

Mercy (Ps. 23:6)

We may rejection of His shepherding

By self-reliance

By dependence on others

Note also: Sheep will not and cannot clean themselves