INTRODUCTION
Israel's mothers and fathers, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca,
Jacob, Leah and Rachel were shepherds. Likewise, those wonderful
shepherds, Moses and David understood that the Shepherd of Israel
they knew was ever vigilant, ever loving, ever protective of those
who love and experience the shepherding of the Almighty God of
Israel through His Son.
Understanding the truth of the work of the true Shepherd reveals
the truth about God's behaviour patterns and the nature of His
responses to those He loves—the saints and all humanity: What
is man that You, our Almighty God, mindfully care for mankind?—as
Pss 8:4; 78:39; 89:47; 144:3; Job 7:7; 15:14; Jer 2:2; Heb 2:6
tell us. Let's examine how the Shepherd of Israel, Jesus Christ,
the Son of God, loves the children of God, guides them, nurtures,
teaches and matures them, defends and protects them, is their
faithful companion through their entire pilgrimage and sojourning,
their trials and tribulations in this world's wilderness.
Perhaps every person with some Christian background can recite
at least part of Psalm 23, which is preceded by a psalm dealing
with Jesus' suffering, and is then followed by praise for the
King of Glory.
The world, however, is stripped of examples of nobility, love,
genuine care. It's a world that is exploitative, materialistic,
hedonistic, abundant in brutality and neo-barbarism. It is a world
of political confusion, increasing poverty, more and more refugees
but diminishing compassion. There is more greed and lust, more
marital disintegration, more work—fewer jobs, more food and less
for the poor, more apparent security but less safety; there is
more self-seeking, more entertainment, less genuine fun and joy;
more counsellors, more advisors and experts, but also more fear,
more alienation and separation, more irrationality. There are
more religions and religious groups, but less biblically rational
belief. There is a growing flood of information on every conceivable
subject, but there are more ill-informed, misinformed, disbelieving
people.
In this world environment of fear, long-term anxiety, indecision,
distrust and mistrust of leaders and institutional leadership,
who truthfully experiences and rationally trusts the Shepherd
of Israel who seems so far away? Can we examine Scripture
and see how to cope, how to truthfully believe, how to assuredly
know we are loved, nourished, protected by the Lamb of God? Please
have the good courage to examine Scripture, to see, to hear, to
understand, to fearlessly and logically believe—to experience
godly happiness in the love of the Shepherd of the Church. May
I be a help in this. So please consider the following.
THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP IN PROPHECY
THE PROPHETIC BEGINNINGS OF SHEPHERDING
Is it surprising that the first of the saints, Abel (Heb 11:4),
was a shepherd (Gn 4:2)? And all of us know that the mighty patriarchs,
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, were shepherds. When Israel (i.e., Jacob)
blessed the sons of Joseph, his words were:
Genesis 49 also records Jacob's blessing of his sons. Again, Joseph's
blessing is prophetically significant.
THE PSALMS AND PROPHETS—THE SHEPHERD AND
SHEEP
Sprinkled throughout the OT Scriptures we find these promises
and experiences of the saints—those who live as He lived among
His own:
Jeremiah's commission was more specifically timed (627-587
BC): from the thirteenth year of Josiah to
the fall of Jerusalem. Then there are some unknown number of years
later during which he was kidnapped and taken to Egypt and returned
to Judah (see Jer 44, especially v 14).
It was common among ancient Middle Eastern kings and rulers to
call themselves shepherds who were appointed by the national deities
(TDNT, VI.486; TDOT, II, 2185). Jeremiah 51 uses
that background in part.
Amos, a shepherd and fig farmer, was contemporary with
Isaiah, and began prophesying about 765. His writing is full of
scathing denunciation of Zion and Israel. One example is:
Micah 4:6-8 "In that day," says the LORD, "I
will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast and those whom
I have afflicted; 7 I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcast
a strong nation; so the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion
from now on, even forever. 8 And you, O tower of the flock, the
stronghold of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, even
the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of
Jerusalem."
Zechariah, like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, was also a priest.
Notice what Ezra 6:14-15 says:
It seems fitting that the prophet who assisted in restoration
of the temple, the one Christ named, the son of Berekiah (Mt 23:35
and Zech 1:1), is the one who speaks so much, as did Jesus, against
the shepherds of the day—and both promise, in the strongest of
language, the Coming of the Messiah. And fittingly also, just
before expounding the Olivet prophecy (Mt 24; Mk 13; Lk 21), Jesus
said of the Temple: See, your House is left to you desolate
(Mt 23:38).
QUALITIES OF THE SHEPHERD
Matthew 25 gives us warning about Christ's Coming:
May I conclude with two Scriptures that I'd like to read with
very little comment.
Jn 17:20-26 "I do not pray for these alone, but also
for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they
all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that
they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You
sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them,
that they may be one just as We are one:
May the grace and peace of God be with all who always seek the
Will of God just as His Son unfailingly has done and will forever
do.
The theme and symbolism of the shepherd permeates the whole of
Scripture from Genesis to Revelation: The Lamb who is in the
midst of the Throne (i.e., who shares the Throne sitting on the
right hand of His God and Father) will shepherd (Gk. poimanei)
them and lead them to fountains of living waters. And God will
wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev 7:17). This Scripture
expresses, like many others, one of the most precious and comforting
images in biblical description of spiritual life.
It's full of attraction, is warmly secure, is very nourishing, and encouragingly
hopeful.
Ps 23:1-6 The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
Similarly, the emphases of Christ's unsurpassed shepherding, the
joys and sorrows of growth and purging of the little flock that
belongs to God, are features of much prophecy.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside
the still waters.
3 He restores my soul (because life is very difficult); He leads
me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. 4 Yes, though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (which is inevitable,
for the genuineness of everyone's faith is tested), I will fear
no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff (of correction
and direction), comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in
the presence of my enemies (i.e., enemies are present); You anoint
my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the
House of the LORD forever.
We need to see the biblical perspective of shepherding rather
than what we might individually opinionate about it. Psalm 80
prayerfully addresses problems already voiced here.
Ps 80 To the chief musician. Set to "The
Lillies." A Testimony of Asaph.
Our pleading and heartfelt prayer is to the Father and God of
Jesus Christ (Mt 6:8-9,14-15; Jn 17:1; 20:17; Rev 1:6)—presented
as a petition to the Father by His Son (Eph 1:3; 1Th 1:2-3).
1 O Shepherd of Israel, listen to us, hear us, You who lead Joseph
like a flock (Is Joseph, as dealt with here, a particular racial
group?); You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh (But not
in the presence of Judah and Levi?), stir up Your Strength, come,
and save us (cp. Ps 89:19-29).
Ephraim and Manasseh were the northern tribes closest to Jerusalem,
with Benjamin being the separating territory between the two kingdoms,
Israel and Judah. It would seem that the idea of separation, so
common today, is emphasized by placing Benjamin, figuratively,
between the twin brothers whose mother was Egyptian (Gn 41:45,50-52;
46:20; 48:5).
3 Restore us, O God; cause Your Face to shine, and we shall be
saved!
This deeply-felt request from those who return to the Faith asks
for acceptance by God through the One who is the Face of God—Jesus
Christ (Jn 14:9; Gn 32:28-30; Hos 12:3-4).
4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the
prayer of Your people?
How strange that it is those whose prayer is heard ask for forgiveness
and hearing.
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears
to drink in great measure. 6 You have made us a strife to our
neighbours, and our enemies deride us among themselves.
The seeking of balance while experiencing sufferings and living
godly lives, the seeking of help and hoped-for joys and promises
fills the lives of the saints of Scripture. How do we cope with
increasing present pains and realization of future unimaginable
joys? (See Jn 15:11,24; 17:13; Acts 13:52; Phil 2:2; 1Pet 1:8;
4:13; Jude 24).
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; cause Your Face to shine, and we
shall be saved!
Are we now saved? How? How do we live now—in godliness? Or do
we despise our sufferings, our despairs, our disappointments?
Is the Kingdom of God too far away for us?
8 You have brought a Vine out of Egypt (see Is 5:1-7; Jer 2:21).
Do we believe that we are drawn by the Spirit to the Father, as
John 6:44-45,65 says? And do we in consequence feel and live
the life of pilgrimage in the wilderness of this present evil
world? Just as Israel became a nation void of counsel and the
vine of Sodom as Dt 32:28,32 prophesizes, what has happened to
those who today are the Israel of God (Gal 6:16)?
You—our God—cast out the nations, and planted Israel
in the land of promise (see Ps 78 and Acts 7).
And so in the early years of the apostolic Church the Gospel went
to "all the world"—but what now?
9 You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and
it filled the land.
10 The hills were covered with its shadow, and the branches were
like mighty cedars. 11 She sent out her boughs to the Sea, and
her branches to the River. 12 Why have You broken down her hedges,
so that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit (desecrate her
virginity and her fruit)? 13 The boar out of the woods uproots
it, and the wild beast of the field devours it. 14 Return, we
beseech You, O God of hosts; look down from heaven and see, and
visit this vine (which the Son of God has done: I am the true
Vine and My Father is the vinedresser; Jn 15:1). 15 And the
Vineyard which Your right hand has planted, and the Son (not "branch")
that You made strong for Yourself (LXX has: the son
of man You strengthened for Yourself). 16 It is burned with
fire, it is cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your Face (Gen
32:30; 33:10). 17 Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right
hand, upon the Son of man (ben adam in Hebrew) whom You
made strong for Yourself.
The Jerusalem Bible translates this verse as: May your hand protect
the man at your right, the son of man who has been authorized
by you. The NIV has: Let your hand rest on the man at your right
hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. It is evident
that the prayer for restoration to life of the Vine, is more than
Israel. It is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the Shepherd of Israel
who is the Vine (Jn 15:1); the Son of man is the Vine and the
Body of believers the branches (cf. Jn 15:5).
18 Then we will not turn back from You; revive us, and we will
call upon Your Name.
This is the prayer that must fill our hearts, minds, emotions,
will, and passionate desires. Let's see more clearly why, for
the relationship of shepherd and sheep is one of the most profound
topics throughout the Bible.
19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; cause Your Face to shine,
and we shall be saved!
We know that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, willingly gave His
life for the sheep, for the life of the world (Jn 6:51; Heb 10:5-10;
Ps 40:6-10). He is the Lamb foreordained before the creation of
the universe (1Pet 1:18-21; Heb 1:1-3); the Redeemer through whom
the immeasurable grace of God was offered before time began (2Tim
1:9); the Saviour through whom eternal life was promised before
time began (Tit 1:2)—for it is in the will and power of His Father
to know all works from before time began (Acts 15:20). And other
verses speak similarly.
Gn 48:15-16 Jacob blessed Joseph (i.e., his sons,
Ephraim and Manasseh) saying: "May the God (Elohim)
in whose presence my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God
(Elohim) who has been my Shepherd from my birth until this
day, 16 the Angel (Heb. mal'ak) who has saved me from all
harm, bless these boys, so that my name may live on in them, and
the names of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac (and hence the promises
of the Kingdom of God given them; Gal 3:8), and they grow into
teeming multitudes on earth!"
Surely we note that in Jacob's mind the Angel (of the LORD; e.g.,
see Gn 16:7-11; 22:1,9-18; Ex 3:2ff.; and Ex 23:21 which says,
My Name is in Him, i.e., God the Father, who none have
seen nor heard except in vision [see Jn 1:18; 5:37; 1Tim 1:17;
1Jn 4:12]) is called Elohim—God. Jesus Christ is in the Godhead
and continues doing His Father's Will (1Cor 15:24,28; Rev 1:6;
3:12,21; Rom 1:19). Genesis 48:15 in the Hebrew has: ha`elohim
ha`ra'ah, or literally, the Elohim (God), the Shepherd.
Gn 49:22-24 Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine
near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. 23 With bitterness
archers attacked him; they shot at him with hostility. 24 But
his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because
of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd,
the Rock of Israel.
The Rock of Israel is the Christ of the Body of saints who gather
in the Name of His God and Father. He is the Shepherd of all who
are called, chosen, and enduringly faithful (Mt 24:13; Rev 17:14;
1Pet 5:4; 1Cor 10:4). Although Christ has the title Elohim
(God), is at the right hand of the Father, who is also called
Elohim, He is not equal to the Almighty GOD, whose will
He does. Any perversion of this truth produces a different Christ
and different Gospel (Gal 1:1-10; 2Jn 7-10).
The entire OT is wonderfully consistent with what we have already
briefly considered.
Ps 28:8-9 The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
refuge of His Anointed (One) (cp. Ps 22:22-25) 9 Save Your
people, and bless Your inheritance; shepherd them (pastor them;
pasture them on good fields) also, and bear them up forever.
Though our Shepherd is absolutely faithful to the Will of His
Father, though He is jealous for our welfare, though He is zealous
that we should receive the crown of glory, He sacrificed His life
so that our sins should be washed away; He suffered for righteousness
sake (1Pet 2:20-25); He struggled victoriously against the temptations
of sin (1Pet 4:15; Phlp 3:10); He learned obedience by the things
which He suffered throughout His life to the very end (Heb 5:8).
Experiencing these things in our lives assures us that we are
experiencing life according to the saving and nurturing work of
God. God is good, merciful, gracious, ever a help in every time
of real need. Our struggles include the reaching for the balance
of knowing and experiencing His love, power and encouraging mercy—against
loneliness, against weakness, against despair in the battle against
the flesh and the demonic forces destroying this world. This seeking
of balance, this maturity of will and spirit is avoided and denied
by the carnal will. It is a grappling with issues that most don't
want to know and which are blindly ignored by most. So the mix
of ups and downs should not surprise those coming to know God
and His Son, the Shepherd of our lives, the shepherd so different
to non-scriptural concepts of care and spiritual maturing.
Ps 74:1-11, by the prophet Asaph, says to us: O God, why
have You cast us off forever? Why does Your anger smoke against
the sheep of Your pasture? (How do we cope with this kind of love
and hate—passionate love for good and utter abhorrence for evil?).
2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old,
the tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed; this Mount
Zion where You have dwelt. (Redemption is of those who believe
and repent). 3 Lift up Your feet to the perpetual desolations.
The enemy has damaged everything in the sanctuary. 4 Your enemies
roar in the midst of Your meeting place; they set up their banners
for signs. 5 They seem like men who lift up axes among the thick
trees. 6 And now they break down its carved work, all at once,
with axes and hammers. 7 They have set fire to Your sanctuary;
they have defiled the dwelling place of Your Name to the ground.
8 They said in their hearts, "Let us destroy them altogether."
They have burned up all the meeting places of God in the land.
(Those who hate in their hearts become skilled in hypocrisy. Those
who hate make every insidious effort to scatter and destroy those
who meet in the Name of God). 9 We do not see our signs; there
is no longer any prophet; nor is there any among us who knows
how long. 10 O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will
the enemy blaspheme Your Name forever? (Are the tares, the chaff,
the goats among the sheep, blasphemers)? 11 Why do You withdraw
Your hand, even Your right hand? Take it out of Your bosom and
destroy them.
This is the prerogative of God. Vengeance is His. However, we
are never uninvolved; we are not tolerators of evil. We are helpers.
We rebuke those who are false in any way. Whatever we do we do
according to God's Way, and not according to personal opinion.
And if opinions clash—be gracious; let others learn. The children
of God are helped to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus
Christ; they are not compelled by force of personality or opinion.
Ps 77:20 says, "You led Your people like a flock by
the hand of Moses and Aaron"—so what about now, our Lord?
Let's now turn to the mighty prophets. Isaiah preached
and prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah
(from about 790 to 710 BC).
Ps 78 (by Asaph; deals with the history of the Exodus;
has) :52-53 He made His own people go forth like sheep,
and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; 53 He led them
on safely, so that they did not fear; the sea overwhelmed their
enemies.
:62-64 He also gave His people over to the sword, and was
furious with His inheritance. 63 Fire consumed their young men,
and their maidens were not given in marriage. 64 Their priests
fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation—because
there was just too much sorrow, or too little compassion, or both.
Ps 78:67-68 Moreover He rejected the tent of Joseph, and
did not choose the tribe of Ephraim, 68 but chose the tribe of
Judah, Mount Zion (i.e., the Church; Heb 12:22-23) which He loved
(Ps 87:2 says, The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all
the dwellings of Jacob).
Ps 79:13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,
will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to
all generations. (Do we? Will we? What does it take to do likewise?)
Ps 95:6-7,10-11 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let
us kneel before the LORD our Maker. 7 For He is our God, and we
are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today,
if you will hear His voice….
10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation, and said,
'It is a people who go astray in their hearts, and they do not
know My ways.' 11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter
My rest' (see Heb 4).
Is 40:9-11 O Zion, You who bring good news, get up into
the high mountain; O Jerusalem, you who bring good news, lift
up your voice with strength, lift it up, don't be afraid; say
to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" 10 Behold,
the Lord GOD will come with a strong hand, and His Arm (Jesus
Christ) shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and
His work before Him. 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom,
and gently lead those who are with young.
If we have God's love and are responding to it we know and feel
what Isaiah describes.
Jer 3:14-5 "Return, O backsliding children,"
says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you,
one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to
Zion (cp. Ezk 6, which speaks of the final third, a remnant, being
thoroughly purged; and Mt 10:34-39 which speaks of familial and
friend alienation because of the Truth). 15 And I will give you
shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge
and understanding"—i.e., the grace and knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
Woe to me if I don't feed those called by God with the Way of
Jesus Christ, His Son (Jn 14:6).
Jer 10:20-21 My Tent is plundered, and all My cords are
broken; My children have gone from Me, and they are no more. There
is no one to pitch My Tent anymore (the place where the sojourning
family lives), or set up My curtains. 21 For the shepherds have
become dull-hearted (Heb. ba'ar, stupid; devastate; drive
away; exterminate) and have not sought the LORD; they shall not
prosper, all their flocks shall be scattered.
There is scattering (there will be more) and there is a lack of
divine intervention. Shepherds and sheep may be assured that they
are the problem—not God, who is not deaf, nor blind, nor uninvolved.
His love and mercy are forever offered—but it is up to us to accept
on His terms.
Jer 22:21-22 I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you
said, 'I will not hear.' This has been your manner from your youth,
that you did not obey My voice. 22 The wind shall eat up all your
rulers, and your lovers shall go into captivity; surely then you
will be ashamed and humiliated for all your wickedness.
Jer 23:1-6,9,11 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy
and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the LORD. 2 Therefore
thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed
My people—with lies and imaginations (see vv 25-32; 14:14-15):
"You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended
to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,"
says the LORD. 3 "But I will gather the remnant of My flock
out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them
back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
4 I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they
shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,"
says the LORD. 5 "Behold, the days are coming," says
the LORD, "that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness
in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will
dwell safely; now this is His Name by which He will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
9 (Notice Jeremiah's pain) My heart within me is broken because
of the prophets; all my bones shake. I am like a drunken man,
and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of the LORD, and
because of His holy words.
11 "For both prophet and priest are profane; yes, in My house
I have found their wickedness," says the LORD.
Jer 23:18,20,24,34-6 Who has stood in the Council of the
LORD? Who has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His
word and heard it?
If you refuse to use the gifts given you then surely you grieve
and quench the Spirit (Eph 4:30; 1Thess 5:19)—hence you sin. So
one is compelled by the Spirit to edify the saints. Refusing to
do so is surely sin.
20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed
and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter (last)
days you will understand it perfectly.
24 "Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall
not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill (i.e., by
His Spirit; see Ps 139:7-9) heaven and earth?" says the LORD
34-36 Wail, shepherds, and cry! Roll about in the ashes, you leaders
of the flock! For the days of your slaughter and your dispersions
are fulfilled; you shall fall like a precious vessel. 35 And the
shepherds will have no way to flee, nor the leaders of the flock
to escape. 36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a wailing
of the leaders to the flock will be heard. For the LORD has plundered
their pasture.
Jer 31 describes the New Covenant and says in verses 10-12
"Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in
the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather
him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' 11 The LORD has
redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger
than he (Satan is stronger than all of us). 12 Therefore they
shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness
of the LORD; for wheat and new wine and oil, for the young of
the flock and the herd; their souls shall be like a well-watered
garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all.
Jer 50:6-8 My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds
have led them astray; they have turned them away on the mountains.
They have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their
resting place. 7 All who found them have devoured them; and their
adversaries said, 'We have not offended, because they have sinned
against the LORD, the habitation of justice, the LORD, the hope
of their fathers.' 8 Move from the midst of Babylon (Come out
of Babylon, My people! Rev 18:4 urges), go out of the land
of the Chaldeans; and be like the rams before the flocks (i.e.,
lead in the gifts given you for the edification of the Church).
Jer 51:23-24 "With you also (i.e., God is speaking
of His Christ; see vv 19-26; Ps 2:9-12; 137:8-9; Is 13:19) I will
break in pieces the shepherd and his flock; with you I will break
in pieces the farmer and his yoke of oxen; and with you I will
break in pieces governors and rulers. 24 And I will repay Babylon
and all the inhabitants of Chaldea for all the evil they have
done in Zion in your sight," says the LORD.
Ezekiel was taken as a captive to Babylon in the 597 BC
invasion. His first vision was about 594 (1:1-2) and the last
date given is about 571 (29:17), when Nebuchadnezzar besieged
Tyre. Ezekiel's wife died probably just before or during the burning
of the temple in 587 (24:15-25).
Ezk 34:1-6,22-25 The word of Yahweh was addressed to me
as follows, 2 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel;
prophesy and say to them, "Shepherds, the Lord Yahweh says
this: Disaster is in store for the shepherds of Israel who feed
themselves! Are not shepherds meant to feed a flock? 3 Yet you
have fed on the choicest food, you have dressed yourselves
in wool, you have sacrificed the fattest sheep, but failed to
feed the flock. 4 You have failed to make weak sheep strong, or
to care for the sick ones, or bandage the injured ones. You have
failed to bring back strays or look for the lost. On the contrary,
you have ruled them cruelly and harshly. 5 For lack of a shepherd
they have been scattered, to become the prey of all the wild animals;
they have been scattered. 6 My flock is astray on every mountain
and on every high hill; my flock has been scattered all over the
world; no one bothers about them and no one looks for them.
This is in stark contrast to what Peter said in 1Peter 5:1-4 to
the church's shepherds and how they are to serve the sheep.
Ezk 34: 22-25 I shall come and save my sheep and stop them
from being victimized. I shall judge between sheep and sheep.
23 I shall raise up one shepherd, my servant David, and put him
in charge of them to pasture them; he will pasture them and be
their shepherd. 24 I, Yahweh, shall be their God, and my servant
David will be ruler among them. I, Yahweh, have spoken."
25 I shall make a covenant of peace with them (cf. Mal 2:5; Num
25:12-13) I shall rid the country of wild animals. They shall
be able to live secure in the desert and go to sleep in the woods.
Do we realize that the conditions we now see in the churches can
only deteriorate before this prophecy comes to pass? Most shepherds
and sheep are not heeding the true God. The sheep talk to one
another with too much Ba, ba, ba! And the shepherds give
them Blah, blah, blah!
Amos 1:2 The LORD roars from Zion, and utters His voice
from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top
of Carmel (famous for its vineyards) withers.
Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah
and was also contemporary with Isaiah and Amos. Micah's anguish
for the poor and needy is agonizingly expressed, and his hatred
for the prophets and shepherds is passionate:
Micah 3:1-5 Then I said, 'Listen, you leaders of the House
of Jacob, you princes of the House of Israel. Surely you are the
ones who ought to know what is right, 2 and yet you hate what
is good and love what is evil, skinning people alive, pulling
the flesh off their bones, 3 eating my people's flesh, stripping
off their skin, breaking up their bones, chopping them up small
like flesh for the pot, like meat in the stew-pan?' (How remarkably
extremist this reads. But it is the perspective of God. It is
how God feels about the terrible way shepherds treat the sheep).
4 Then they will call to Yahweh, but He will not answer
them. When the time comes He will hide His Face from them because
of the crimes they have committed. 5 Yahweh says this against
the prophets who lead my people astray: So long as they have something
to eat they cry 'Peace'. But on anyone who puts nothing into their
mouths they declare war (and of course this includes war against
the God who reveals the truth to his servants, which they are
not!)
Yes, the Kingdom of God will be preceded with terrors for the
world and many sufferings for the saints.
Ezra 6:14-15 So the elders of the Jews continued to build
(after the return from captivity in Babylon) and prosper under
the preaching of Haggai the prophet (also Joshua and Zerubbabel)
and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the
temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees
of Cyrus (539-530), Darius (the first, 522-486) and Artaxerxes
(464-423), kings of Persia. 15 The temple was completed on the
third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of
King Darius (Which Darius?).
Most clever historians say the temple was finished in 516, before
the decree of Artaxerxes. The king after Artaxerxes (who is also
the Ahasuerus of Esther) was Darius II (423-404 BC).
Ezra 4:6-7 tells us that work on the temple was stopped in the
reign of Xerxes (486-464). So the dedication of the completed
temple could not have been in 516, sixth year of Darius I, but
was the sixth year of Darius II, i.e., 417 (see also Ezra 4:4-6,24).
Zech 10:2-6 For the idols speak delusion (as do false ideas);
the diviners (soothsayers and false prophets) envision lies, and
tell false dreams; they comfort in vain (Yes, they comfort—but
it is empty and has a futile future). Therefore the people wend
their way like (lost) sheep; they are in trouble because there
is no shepherd (i.e., no-one worthy of being called a shepherd).
3 My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will punish
the goatherds. For the LORD of hosts will visit His flock, the
house of Judah, and will make them as His royal horse in the battle.
4 From Him (the Father) comes the Cornerstone, from Him the tent
peg (see Is 22:20-25; Rev 3:7), from Him the battle bow, from
Him every ruler together.
The tent peg, stake, nail is used as a symbol for being fixed
and living in the Temple of God—the Church of God (Ezra 9:8; Is
54:2).
5 They (the saints of the resurrection) shall be like mighty men,
who tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the
battle. They shall fight because the LORD is with them, and the
riders on horses shall be put to shame. 6 I will strengthen the
house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring
them back, because I have mercy on them. They shall be as though
I had not cast them aside; for I am the LORD their God, and I
will hear them—after they experience and learn all they must
until the very end (Rom 7).
Yes, we will all be thoroughly tested as to the genuineness of
our faith and whether we each live in unshakeable belief and trust
in Him who is true (See Hag 2:6-7 and Heb 12:26-29 which speak
prophetically, in context, of events typified in the 24th Kislev,
which was December 1).
Zech 11 gives one of the most complex prophecies of the
Bible. Let's look at verses:
Belief will be aroused for some because of these events.
4-17 Thus says the LORD my God, "Feed the flock for
slaughter, 5 whose owners slaughter them and feel no guilt; those
who sell them say, 'Blessed be the LORD, for I am rich'; and their
shepherds do not pity them. 6 For I will no longer pity the inhabitants
of the land," says the LORD. "But indeed I will give
everyone into his neighbour's hand and into the hand of his king.
They shall attack the land, and I will not deliver them from their
hand." 7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, in particular
the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I
called Beauty (Heb no'am: Grace, Goodness, Pleasantness),
and the other I called Bonds (Heb chabal: Bind, Pledge;
Unity; also, make pregnant, to tie together);
and I fed the flock (i.e., the remnant of the saints who have
received the fullness of God's grace through His Son). 8 I dismissed
the three shepherds in one month (Probably suggesting total removal
of shepherd leadership in a short and treacherous time).
My soul loathed them (was impatiently grieved), and their
soul abhorred me (The Hebrew for abhorred, unreasoned
hatred, bahal, occurs only here). 9 Then I said, "I
will not feed you. Let what is dying die, and what is perishing
perish. Let those that are left eat each other's flesh."
(For sheep will be attacking sheep as Ezekiel 34:20-21 also prophesies).
10 And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might
break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples (With
grace broken there is no forgiveness. There is no forgiveness
because grace is rejected). 11 So it was broken on that day. Thus
the poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it was
the word of the LORD.
12 Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give
me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for
my wages thirty pieces of silver (see Mt 26:15, which alludes
to this Scripture in the context of Jesus' betrayal by Judas).
This is what Judas did in his despair and Esau-like remorse. This
kind of treachery is also suggested in Daniel 11:30-32 where some
will forsake the covenant because of flattering and false promises
given them by the power that exalts itself against the God of
gods (Dan 11:36).
13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter";
that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces
of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter
(Mt 27:9-10 alludes to this).
14 Then I cut in two my other staff, Bonds (Unity is broken, so
separation becomes rampant) that I might break the brotherhood
between Judah and Israel.
Unity and cohesion in the reprobate House of the Israel of God
is utterly broken.
15 And the LORD said to me, "Next, take for yourself the
implements of a foolish shepherd (The Hebrew for foolish,
ewili, means morally deficient and perverse;
thick-brained, stupid). 16 For indeed I will raise
up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are
cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor
feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the
fat and tear their hooves in pieces. (Again, do we note the extreme
language God uses). 17 Woe to the worthless shepherd, who leaves
the flock! A sword shall be against his arm and against his right
eye; his arm shall completely wither, and his right eye shall
be totally blinded."
Shepherds will be powerless to do and explain so that their followers
might see and do the Will of God.
Zech 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against
the Man who is My Companion," says the LORD of hosts. "Strike
the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; then I will turn
My hand against the little ones."
Mt 26:31; Mk 14:27; Jn 16:32-33 speak of the fulfillment of this
prophecy, part of which was interrupted, relatively briefly, by
the apostolic preaching to the world. Of course, the gates of
hell have not prevailed against the Church down through history
(Mt 16:18). Nevertheless, it would seem, from this prophecy, that
not many down through the centuries since the apostles' work have
come to a full knowledge of the Truth.
Mt 18 gives us a parable in verses 10-14: Take heed
that you do not despise one of these little ones (an innate tendency
of shepherds who have sent themselves rather than being called
and sent by God and who despise those called by God; [see Lk 4:18,23;
10;1-3; 11:49; 20:9-15; Jn 1:6; 4;34; 6:38-40; 17:18; 20:21-23
for strong examples of God sending as opposed to self-appointment]),
for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face
of My Father who is in heaven.
God's shepherds love the sheep of God, sacrifice themselves for
the people of God.
11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost (Mt
10:6; 15:24; Lk 19:10; Jn 17:12; Heb 13:5; Dt 31:6-8; Ps 94:14-15;
Is 42:16). 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep,
and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine
and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And
if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more
over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven
that one of these little ones should perish.
Have we considered that when those who are of the flock of God
are lost, and one who is a true servant of God calls them, that
they would readily come? The sheep of God, those who have the
Spirit of God, hear and heed the Spirit of truth. They do not
heed the voice of shepherds who serve a false god (Jn 10:1-16).
We'll look further at this in John 10.
Mk 6:34 speaks of Jesus, when He came out of the boat after
time alone with the disciples, He saw a great multitude (on the
shore of the Sea of Galilee) and was moved with compassion for
them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (and at
a time when the temple and synagogues were apparently busy). So
He began to teach them many things.
The people came to Him, just as those who hear the Truth of God
come to hear any one who teaches the Truth. Avoidance of hearing
the word of God is a sign of disbelief, or animosity, or loss
of calling.
John 10 is the great Good Shepherd chapter. Let's
look at verses 1-15, 26-30
Why do so many refuse to flee from false voices and go to hear
false voices? Why do so many justify their going to places where
false voices resound?
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the
sheepfold by the Door (Greek, thura, any door, gate, entrance
[literal or metaphoric]), but climbs up some other way, the same
is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the Door is the
shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the Doorkeeper opens, and the
sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads
them out (because their names are in the Book of Life; Ps 69:28;
Dan 12;1; Lk 10:20; Phil 4:3; Heb 12:23; Rev 3;5; 21:27). 4 And
when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice (With the Spirit of
God the sheep of God recognize the Shepherd of their lives; 1Pet
2:25). 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will
flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
6 Jesus used this illustration (i.e., figurative language), but
they did not understand the things which He spoke to them (Yet
it seems so easy to understand). 7 Then Jesus said to them again,
"Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep.
8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the
sheep did not hear them (because the true sheep know they must
not lose their crowns of glory and recognize those who seek to
rob them of what God has given them). 9 I am the Door. If anyone
enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find
pasture (i.e., will be nourished in the grace and knowledge of
Jesus Christ). 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and
to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 I am the Good Shepherd.
The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling
(those with the gospel of a christ denounced by Scripture; Mt
24:24; Mk 13:22; 1Jn 2:18,22), he who is not the shepherd, one
who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the
sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them
(as we have seen and will continue to see). 13 The hireling flees
because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
There is comfort, encouragement and continual growth in hearing
truth. There is false comfort, self-encouragement to persist,
lack of growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ from
false voices.
14 (Jesus Christ says): I am the Good Shepherd; and I know My
sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even
so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16
And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I
must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one
flock and one shepherd."
John 10 goes on to speak of the then religious leaders, who were
ungodly shepherds.
Jn 10:26-30 You do not believe, because you are not of
My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know
them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and
they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out
of My hand.
Yes, some were lost, but personal responsibility in failure to
flee from all evil is not abrogated, not done away with.
29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and
no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and
My Father are one—i.e., the purpose of the Father and the Son
to save all who respond to the Gospel is always available.
CONCLUSION
At the beginning I asked how we can cope with the balance of God's
encouraging promises and His seeming distance from our trials
and tribulations in this world. The answer? It is with great difficulty.
It is, however, by the grace and power of God that each of us
is nurtured and shaped. Do we really seek to be shaped by the
Master Potter (see Is 45:9-12; 64:8-12; Jer 18:1-17), and do we
hunger and thirst after righteousness? Do we have genuine faith
in Christ to never leave nor forsake us? Do we believe in the
goodness and fairness of God in everything? Do we experience His
help, presence, correction and fathering in our daily lives? The
pains and joys, the experiences and lessons are extraordinary,
sometimes indescribable, amazing, and encouraging as we live as
Christ has shown us.
Mt 25:31-34 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and
all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of
His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and
He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides
his sheep from the goats.
Sheep and goats feed together during the day just as wheat and
tares grow in the fields together until the harvest. In the evening,
before the darkness sets in, the shepherds separate the sheep
and goats because the sheep sleep quietly whereas the goats are
restless.
33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats
on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.'
And that's the choice God wants all of us to make. We should also
note that the problems are prophesized as continuing until the
very end.
Heb 13:20-22 Now may the God of peace who brought up our
Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in
every good work to do His Will, working in you what is well pleasing
in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and
ever. Amen. 22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word
of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words (just as
I have spoken few words on this awesome subject).
Do we experience that?
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in
one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have
loved them as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they
also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may
behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before
the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world
has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known
that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your Name, and
will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be
in them, and I in them."
Do we experience that?