The Lord is my shepherd ;

I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: 

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness 

For His name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through  the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; 

For thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou prepartest a table before me

In the presence of mine enemies:

Thou anointest my head with oil;

My cup runneth over.

Surely gooddness and mercy 

Shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Note :- Some of the links below may need to be copied and pasted.

For example :-  http://www.sheep101.info/sheepbible.html

 

The Lord as Shepherd.

What David experienced as a shepherd, and his heart for Father God is a beautiful expression of David in his relationship with Father God in the Psalm.  But for those of us living in the west it is sometimes very difficult to grasp the truths and meanings of the Psalms, unless one looks at the Middle Eastern cultures, shepherding is far removed on many levels today in the west and in Europe. Having said that, Father God and His son Jesus as our Shepherd is more than able to grant one all that is needful.  In reading the Psalm, one can see how much Father God was involved in the care and protection of David as a as a shepherd and by extension oneself and others in ones daily life and at times not even realising it until for various and appropriate reasons etc look back, and then we realise and appreciate just how much Father God was and is in our lives on a daily basis leading, guiding, guarding and protecting one, bless Him.

 

Shepherds in the Middle East

Often the shepherds in the Middle East lead their sheep and ensure that they find good pasture for their sheep to graze in and lead them to reasonably still waters to drink from, and wells too.

The shepherds are responsible in ensuring  the safety of their sheep and to lead their sheep along safe paths etc.and from time to time they may have to lead them through dangerous passages and passes where thieves and robbers may hide and hang out. and where dangerous animals may lurk etc. as well as in open pasture etc. too, perhaps more in the past then today but there may still be some areas that are as mentioned as above 

 

The Rod and Staff

One of the common features of the shepherds in both the Middle East and the west is that they carry a rod or staff.  In the west it would be just a rod or staff with a crook in it and was and is called a shepherds crook, this is often to guide and direct the the sheep and pull them back when necessary and when in danger etc.

Where as in the Middle East especially in David's time it would be both a rod or staff to which they would have used to both direct and protect  the sheep etc. and often goats as well as they would and still are resonsible for caring for goats too at times 

The Rod

The rod apparently was used to guide and direct the sheep and to discipline and correct and protect them.

The Staff 

The staff was similar to the rod but was knobbed, crooked or forked. It was used to depending on the geographical location and environment in which the sheep grazed. a crooked staff could and would still pull a sheep back from an abrupt edge or rescue it from a fall between rocks etc. and in the desert where poiseness snakes hide or invade where the sheep graze. A staff was used to catch the snake (and a forked stick is often used today to catch snakes) and hold it securely and then destroys the snake possibly with the rod or by some other means

The Rod and Staff used as Symbols of Authorit.yThe rod and staff were used as symbolic emblems of office (which can be seen in some archaelogical finds depicting rulers etc.)

The rod or sceptre as it is sometimes called were a potentate (king) or given ruler a tangible presence of their right to rule and the extent of their authority.

Bible History :- The Rod and Staff.

http://www.bible-history.com

click on the following :- Ancient Isreal; Manner and Customs, then Shepherds. 

 

The Rod

The rod symbolised the rulers authority todecree laws, pronounce judgement, give punishments, pardons, rewards etc.

(one sees something of this in the story of Esther in the Old Testament. ) declare wars and make peace.

The staff symbolised the care and concern he (the ruler) was to have over his subjects and he would ensure their protection from their enemies, and ensure their welfare and guide them to prosperity.

Bible History :- The Rod and Staff.

 http://www.bible-history

click on the following :- Ancient Isreal; Manner and Customs, then Shepherds. 

 

Psalm 23:4.

In Psalm 23:4. David expresses his acknowledgement of Gods right to rule and His full authority to do so, he is telling God that he God is the supreme power under all and with that knowledge David is comforted.

Exerpts from Bible History :- The Rod and Staff.

http://www.bible-history.comy.com

 click on the following :- Ancient Isreal; Manner and Customs, then Shepherds. 

 

See also end  Notes 1.

The Clergy in Certain Church Officials.

One can see something of the the symbol of the shepherd as used by Archbishops, Bishops, and other high ranking officials especially within the Anglican and catholic churches, in the use of the shepherds crook known more as a crozier, as a symbol of their leadership over their appointed congregation (sometimes known as a flock )  and in their respective dioceses or a wider field for which they hold a measure of responsibility for.

As shepherds the shepherds crook being a symbol of that office that they may have been called or selected for such a position of authority as a leader of their flock or congregation.

 

 

David and Jesus Father God's Son.

One can see here how Father God in his infinite mercy called David to be king in the true meaning of the above mentioned excerpts from Bible History :- The Rod and the Staff.   The first being a shepherd and truly knowing Father Gods presence in his life as a shepherd, and as a consequence of Davids love and heart for Father God during the time of him David looking after and caring for his sheep etc. Father God  then called David to be a king who through his life except for a few occasions led his subjects, Father Gods people the Israelites into a time of peace and posterity and in such a way that it brings to ones mind that of the shepherd he once was and a forerunner and forefather of Father Gods son Jesus (whose geneological tables can be found in Matthew 1:1-17. and Luke 3:24-38. ) as our one and only true Shepherd, that should we accept and lovingly follow and obey Him will lead us peacefully through the difficult passages and places on earth and eventually into eternity to be with Him and His Father, Father God to be with them for all eternity bless Him.

 

Jesus  - Lamb - Shepherd. 

Jesus the Lamb of God. John 1:29. :-

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God,who takes away the sin of the world!

 

Jesus  the Shepherd.  John 21:15 - 17. :John 21:15 - 17.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

 

Jesus the Shepherd.  

Jesus led the people through all truth by expanding and expounding on the Old Testment and teaching through parables.

 

Matthew 13:13 - 17. :-

13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

 

Luke 8:9 - 10. :-

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

 

One of the parables  Jesus told was the Parable of the Lost Sheep Matthew 18:12 - 13. 

12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.

 

Luke 15.1 -7. :-

15 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

 

Isaiah 40:11. :- 

11 He shall feed his flock like ashepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

Chronicles 18:16. 1 Kings 22:17. Psalm 44:1.  Isaiah 11:12: 13:14:40:11 Jeremiah 10:21; 23:1 - 2. Ezekiel 34:5-6; 34:21. Zacheriah13:7.  

 

And in the New Testament.

Matthew 9:36. Mark:14 27. John 10:12. :-

These are just some of the verses mentioned that refer to Father God  as the Shepherd and His  people as sheep.

All the above mentioned references  to the verses refer to Father God as a Shepherd and his people as either His sheep or flock 

There are many other verses that refer Father Gods people as sheep and in the New Testament as  goats too.  

Matthew 25:31 - 33. :-

Separating the sheep from the goats

He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:33)

With regards to "judgement day," sheep and goats are used as metaphors in the Bible. Sheep are the followers of Christ, while goats chose not to follow Jesus.

sheep101.info.

http://www.sheep101.info/sheepbible.htm

 

Bible more than 500 times, more than any other animal. The prominence of sheep in the Bible grows out of two realities. Sheep were important to the nomads and agricultural life of the Hebrews and simlar peoples. Secondly, sheep are used throughout the Bible to symbolically refer to God's people.  

sheep101. info.

http://www.sheep101.info/sheepbible.htm

 

 Sheep are mentioned in the New Testament too

Jesus ministered to the people through leading, teaching, healing, deliverance.  Leading and guiding them etc though he had  himself nowhere to lay His head Mathew 8:20. 

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air hpleave nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

 

As people in that day and culture were very hospital and often stayed with friends some of whom lived in Bethany near Jerusalem and with whom He Jesus  just pror to His crucifixion   John 12:1-11 :-  

Matthew 8:20. :-

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Luke 9:58. :-

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

and perhaps with some of His disciples during His ministry too.

The shepherds often slept out in the fields at night with their sheep as a continuation of guarding and protecting  their sheep. 

I hasten to add that  in sure that Jesus didn't sleep in the open as the shepherds did thought Jesus never had a home mas such  as recorded in Matthew 8:20 and as might suggest because as recorded he didn't have a fixed abode.  Matthew 8:20 :-

20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

 

Shepherds.

Jesus mentions seperating sheep from the goats. Matthew 25:31 - 33.

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

 

Often in the Middle East sheep and goats are often herded to gether and look very similar unlike the sheep in the UK or most likely  in  Western Europe.

 Jesus both Shepherd and Jesus the Lamb sacrificed His life for our redemption etc.

Johns Gospels speaks much of Jesus  being the Lamb of God 

see John 1:29,38 :-

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

 

Jesus as Shepherd.Jesus leading His disciplkes and followeres etc in paths of truth and righteousness, healing delivering them and teaching them and is still doing so to day through those  who  have accepted Him etc.

Both Matthew and Luke record  a lot  of  Jesus ministry of teaching  healing  deliverance  etc. 

 

 The Shepheds. Shepherds were visited by angels during the night while on the hillside guarding their sheep etc.  

The shepherds were told to them of the birth of Jesus and where to find Jesus Luke 2:1-18

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 

Shepherds were considered the lowest of the people  and often despised even I have reason to believe almost as outcasts or perhaps treated as such at that time as it was in Father Gods infinite mercy that  Father God sent His angels to visit the shepherds that were out in the hills watching and  guarding their sheep not far  from Bethlehem the night Jesus was born and were told by the angels to visit Him  and also where they would find Him and due to the circumstances and place He was born etc. and in such a place that the shepherds would have been reasonably  comfortable with and in visiting but not so much as  the wise men who guided by a star came and visited Jesus later when He Jesus and His parents were living in a house which the wise men would have been more comfortable in rather than a stable for which the shepherds would have felt more at home in, and equally the shepherds would not have felt comfortable in visting Jesus in a house hence in Father Gods infinite mercy directed the Shepherds through the angels sent to herald His son Jesus's birth etc to a stable where through Father Gods providence and infinite mercy arranged  for Jesus to be born in bless Him.  

 

 Here we  have :- 

1) The lowest of the low of the population  the shepherds  visiting Jesus in a stable  where He was born due to census that had been decreed. Luke 2 :1- 2. :-  2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

Luke 2:2. :-

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 

also Luke 2: 1-20 :- 

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 

2) The Highest in  society represented  by foreigners and in Father Gods  providence and mercy foreign dignitaries  who through a set of circumstances in recorded obediently followed a star  that eventually led to  a house where Jesus along with His parents were now living in in Bethlehem. Matthew 2:1-11. :-

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

3) Which indicates  that all Jews / Israelites and foreigners from the lowest to the highest alike are welcome to  worship Jesus and though Jesus reconciled  to Father God  through believing and accepting etc the sacrifice of Jesus that came much later in His life   and this is born out in ones life  that no one is exempt as recorded in Matthew 27:50 - 51. and born out again later during the crucifixion of Jesus when the curtain also know as the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom thereby making a way for all to worship Father God, for prior to that incident  the temple was divided up into separate rooms and places :- 

1) The court of the Gentiles.

2) a court for the Jews / Israelites. 

3) The court of the women.

4) The court of the priest hood where the sacrifices were offered etc. 

5) The Holy of Holies  where none was allowed to enter but once a year by the High priest  in behalf  of the people  to make an atonement  through the  sacrifices  before  father God.

Now through the sacrifice of Jesus through His cricifixion Father God arranged it  that all would be able  to be reconciled and  come before Him through believing and accepting His son Jesus and all that was accomplished at Calvary worshop Him etc.  Father God and His son Jesus bless Them.

Mattew 27: 50 - 54 :-

50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

As mentioned above that none was exempt in beleving and accepting  Jesus and through Him reconciled unto Father God as was born out later at His Jesus's crucifixion and born out again  making a way throughMatthew 27:50-54 :-50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; making a way.  

Jesus was lowley and came from a humble and lowly  background whose earthly father was a carpenter and of whom Jesus was  for a time until He was about 30ish.

 

David - Shepherd who became King.

David was a shepherd who became a king was a forerunner and forefather of Jesus of whom the throne of David would last for ever and of whom Jesus would be seated upon it  one day. 2 Samuell 7:16.

16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

 

Luke 1:26-33, especially

26 And in the sixth monty  verse 32.  h the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

 

3) Its a strong possibility that "The Wise MenFrom the East" could have come  from China  but thats a study initself for another time. 

 

4) Here below is a link to an image of the Jerusalem Temple in the time of Jesus 

http://www.bible-history.  

Look under and click on Second temple 

And for for further imformation click on the following :- Ancient Isreal; Manner and Customs, then Shepherds. 

 

©vabs wall.  Late 2016.