When God chose the second king of Israel, He chose a shepherd. Someone who experientially knew about the dynamic partnership between a shepherd and his sheep. Someone who experientially knew that dynamic partnership applies to God as our shepherd and to us as His flock. Like Jacob, David believed “God has been my shepherd all my life to this day.” (Gen. 48:15) He knew that all a shepherd does for his sheep God willingly does for us.
1 Peter 2:25 calls Jesus“the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.” If we are going to partner with our Shepherd, we have to understand what all He does for us, and respond accordingly. Timeless, and poetic, description of that partnership is given in the most loved and familiar Psalm.
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23
I admit that my image of a shepherd involved a lot of walking and sitting around playing on their little musical instruments. A job anyone willing to be that bored and alone could do. WRONG! Actually, they do an incredible amount of work on behalf of their flock. And sheep need all the help they can get. It is quite surprising how helpless and vulnerable domesticated sheep are without a shepherd.
How were shepherd-less sheep described in Matthew 9:36? Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 The word translated “distressed/harrassed” is skullo, which literally means to be continually irritated, troubled, or annoyed by the littlest thing, and easily worn out in the process. The word for “dispirited/helpless” is rhipto– repeatedly tossed or scattering one way or another. They look so docile and content standing there grazing away, thoughtlessly following their appetite. Sheep, however, live on the edge of a panic attack. Something I’ve discovering describes a lot of people. No wonder God’s word often refers to people as sheep. If I were to describe sheep in one word, it would be HIGH-MAINTENANCE!
Shepherds were responsible for the physical survival and welfare of their flocks. Their purpose was to make sure they did not have any wants. This meant not only responding to immediate needs, but preparing for them ahead of time. The word “want” – cheser– means to be lacking, to be needy, to be empty. In order for his sheep to “not want” – not lack, not be empty and without, he had to think through everything they would or could possibly need. He needed to be prepared with the right knowledge, resources, provisions and skill. He needed to know each sheep intimately to access any present or possible “want” that individual animal might have. He needed to know where the flock would be going, and anything and everything that could affect them as a whole and/or individually on the way, as well as when they got there. All this is a mind-boggling responsibility.
What does the Lord have ready for us, so that we will “not want”?
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV
What do we need to be doing according to 2 Peter 3:18? “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” In other words, access all He has for us through a growing partnership with Him.
David’s flock depended on him to care about them enough to meet their every need. Their lives and their usefulness depended on it. He could look out at his flock and state, “they do not want.” He could look up to His God and Shepherd and say, “I shall not want.” Do you believe this? Are you confident and content in the provisions and sovereignty of God to say “I shall not want? Or do you live on the edge of panic?
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” … “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6,8
David knew the contentment and wellbeing of his flock depended on his being there for them. In order for these “antsy pantsy” creatures to truly rest, there had to be a real sense of security. This was provided by the shepherd’s loving presence. We have a God who is omnipresent and never leaves us. There is no need for us to be distressed or dispirited. He is constantly right here meeting our needs.
On a consistent basis, “He makes [his sheep] lie down in green pastures.” The shepherd brought them to a place where they could graze as well as settle down and sleep. In a dry, hilly area like Israel, this required extensive effort on the part of the shepherd. The pasture had to be either located or prepared in advance - sowing seeds the prior season, as well as treating and spreading out the fertilizer. If the shepherd was not with his flock, he was off preparing for his flock.
I have a tendency to key in on the word “makes.” We hate to be made to do anything. Sheep are the same way. The only time he would “make” a sheep lie down is if it was a danger to itself or other sheep, or needed some intense hands-on care. Then it had to be hobbled. However, it could not be kept down for very long as the weight of body and the wool could cause heart failure. A sheep on its side or back had to be helped back up to its feet. Sometimes God has to “make me lie down” as well. I don’t like it any more then a sheep does, but it is absolutely necessary. Hands-on our Shepherd deals with the issue and puts us back on our feet.
He also had to provide safe water for them to drink. “He leads me beside quiet water.” Skittish sheep will not drink from rushing water. Wobbly legs and easily soaked wool makes this a beneficial fear. On the other hand, they do have a tendency to drink from any still water they find, clean or dirty. The word translated “quiet” is menuhah, which means restful, quiet, trustworthy, or fresh. A shepherd constantly evaluated their access to good water: diverting running water into accessible trenches or bailing it into prepared troughs. Where the only water available was from deep wells, he had to continually draw what they needed.
For the most part, they stood on the edge and drank their fill from the fresh, clean water the shepherd provided. But there were those who bullied their way to the front, shoving others into the water or walking into it themselves. He had to hold back those sheep that had a tendency to stir up quiet, clean water, so that the rest of the flock did not end up drinking muddy water instead of fresh.
Do members of God’s flock do that to fellow “sheep”? See Christianity – faith – as a way to ahead, get more, get influence, power, etc.? Me first, me foremost? “Is it too slight a thing for you that you should feed in the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pastures? Or that you should drink of the clear waters, that you must foul the rest with your feet? As for My flock, they must eat what you tread down with your feet and drink what you foul with your feet!’” Ezekiel 34:18,19
How do we make sure we are not doing this to others?
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:3-5
The Lord gives us “living water” through faith in Him. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38) We need to be good little sheep and graciously share with others.
Sheep can be rather self-consumed. Nose down and preoccupied, sheep have a tendency to wander off into all kinds of trouble. With a gentle call or well-aimed throw of a stone, their attention would be redirected away from danger or back to the shepherd. The Hebrew word that means to turn around, change direction, redirect attention, change perspective or focus is “shub.” It is the word David used when he wrote, “He restores my soul.” He turns/redirects my soul.
Who has a tendency to stray according to the Isaiah 53:6 and 1 Peter 2:25?
All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Isaiah 53:6
For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25
Like sheep, we have a tendency to get ourselves into the same mess again and again. Certain “delicacies” lure us away from a healthy spiritual diet, curiosity leads us into situations that should have been avoided, and we are spooked by what we hear, see or imagine sending us running away from “the Shepherd and Guardian of our soul.” These are just a few reasons why we go astray. Do you know what sends you off in the wrong direction? I am amazed at how easily I am distracted and wander off on some frivolous tangent away from what God is teaching me or doing in my life. We have to listen to our Shepherd’s gentle call or perfectly aimed warning, even if it stings.
Sheep don’t like change any more than we do. However, a shepherd knew what was best for his flock. His reputation depended on their wellbeing. Whether or not the sheep wanted to move on, the shepherd did what was necessary for a strong, healthy, and productive flock. In the winter the flock was taken down into the plains where temperatures were milder. Their care was tailored to the area and circumstances. In the summer they were taken to the high country to feast on the tender vegetation and plentiful fresh water. These areas tend to be smaller and more fragile requiring more frequent moves to meet their needs.
Even if they frequented the same areas in previous seasons, they needed a shepherd to guide them. “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name sake.” The word “righteousness”means “in keeping with what is right.” Every path He chooses to lead us down is absolutely in keeping with what is right – righteousness, because it is who He is. Psalm 11:7a declares, “For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness.” “His name’s sake” means every thing He does is a validation of who He is. We need to believe that our Shepherd is trustworthy and does not deviate from the “paths of righteousness,” especially when where He takes us is straight through “the valley of the shadow of death.”
This part makes Psalm 23 so popular at funerals and comforting during life-threatening crises. That is quite fitting. However, the word translated “shadow of death” – tsalmaveth– is actually a simile for as deep and dark as death. It refers to ALL those times and situations that are frightening, unknown, unpredictable, uncomfortable and most definitely inconvenient.
In order for the shepherd to lead his sheep to the high country pastures or down to the home pen in the plains inevitably he had to lead his flock through deep, dark ravines. They were unavoidable. In our lives, dark valleys that terrorize us with the unknown and unseen are inevitable as well. “Though” tells us that it is not if, but when. The only way those anxious, high-strung sheep would go through that necessary passage was with the shepherd. “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Psalm 46:1-3
But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you." Isaiah 43:1-2
Going through these valleys is scary. Our natural response is to be afraid. “I will fear no evil” is a choice. To fear something is to give it authority over you. You have to decide which is bigger: your God or your situation. For every “though” you face in life, there is an assured “Thou” going through it with you!
A shepherd always took two items with him. I don’t know if sheep are aware as to whether or not their shepherd had these items with him, but we should. “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
The “staff” was a symbol of the shepherd’s concern and compassion. He used it to keep in touch and draw his sheep close to himself. It was also used for guiding and redirecting. Its length was an extension of his arm and the crook served as a hand to lift a lamb that had fallen in a crevice or off the steep trail. A whack against a bush, a rock or even the ground got both the sheep and hidden threat’s attention. These were just a few of the uses.
All the shepherd used his staff to do to and for his flock, God uses His word in our lives:
1. Symbolizes His concern and compassion
2. Draws us to Himself
3. Guides and redirects
4. Lifts us up
5. Smacks us when needed
6. Puts a bit of godly fear in us and hidden threats
7. Draws a line “in the sand” not to be crossed
8. Holds us back when we are aggressive
9. Prods us when we straggle.
The “rod” was a shepherd’s main tool of defense, discipline and inspection. It was a symbol of His strength, power and authority. It could be used as a club if necessary, but usually it was thrown with accuracy to redirect a sheep from wandering off or getting into something dangerous, or at a predator creeping towards one of his sheep. With gentleness the one end was used to separate the wool so he could look at what was going on beyond the obvious. As a shepherd walked around the pasture, he used his rod to inspect the bushes for hazards and hiding lambs.
What do you think is the rod of our Shepherd? For me, it is definitely the working Holy Spirit. I need to hear the convicting whiz of this wonderful “rod” thrown to turn my attention away from self-consuming pursuits and back towards Him. I confess to foolishly wiggling under His probing, forgetting that His intent is always gracious and loving
As mentioned earlier, preparation was a vital part of the shepherd making sure his flock did “not want.” This was especially true in the high-country pastures, known as the tableland: raised valleys or plateaus used by the shepherds during the summer. Shepherd had to go ahead of the flock and prepare the area for their arrival. Some of his preparations included:
- Survey the land for predators – scare them away, or trap or kill if necessary.
- Identify dangers needing to be removed, filled in or blocked off, as well as establish necessary boundaries.
Psalm 23:5 states, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” (“Enemy” is any hostile person, place or thing.)
- Evaluate food resources
- Remove poisonous plants.
- Clean out watering holes
- Set out salt blocks, etc.
- Erect storm shelters
Other than his actually being with his flock, David knew this was the most important and time-consuming aspect of shepherding. He had to anticipate any possible need or danger, and do everything and anything he could to provide for his flock. He never forgot that they were vulnerable and dependent on him. Even the most luscious mountain pastures, while offering his flock an abundance of good things, also had many unseen dangers and inadequacies. If he could not make the area safe and sustainable, he would avoid that area and find a more suitable one for his flock. Even with all his preparation, it was still a precarious place for vulnerable sheep. Safety in the tableland still required staying close to the shepherd. That goes for us as well. We need to: Go with Him – Stay with Him – Depend on Him – Partner with Him - Trust Him!
Shepherding is one of the most hands-on jobs when it comes to animal husbandry. Special care had to be taken of the sheep’s head. Nose to the ground, they were always getting into things that could cause problems. However, it was actually through head-to-head contact with other sheep that most diseases spread. This is what was being referred to in David’s declaration: “You have anointed my head with oil.” Oil was used to clean out any sores, seal them from dirt and insect infestation. Constant application of oil was also preventative, as it kept irritating flies from attacking.
We are so like sheep! We plow through life on autopilot not really paying attention what we are getting our “nose” into and allowing into our minds. Most of the “contamination,” that defile and disease us spiritually, come through our mind. Put us with other people -“head-to-head contact” - and all kinds of infectious thinking can be passed around. We need the continual anointing of the Holy Spirit keeping our minds renewed and “irritants” under grace’s control.
What “contaminates” is your head most susceptible to (i.e. doubt, fear, anxiousness, anger, self-pity, pride)? When or what situations make you most vulnerable? Your Shepherd desires to pour an abundance of the oil of His Spirit on you until it changes what is seen and not seen. But it is a choice. It is always a choice.
A good shepherd shared all he was and all he had to meet all the needs of all of his sheep. That included the wine he carried with him at all times. Wine was wine, fermented grape juice, but its uses extended far beyond personal drinking. It was a liquid medicine cabinet. It could be poured on an infected wound. When sudden storms caught the flock off guard and in distress, frozen with fear and the surroundings, the shepherd would pour his wine into their mouths to get them up and going again. He knows when and how much. He was willing to give his all for their sake.
Philip Keller, in his book A Shepherd Look at the 23rd Psalm states, “No matter what storm I face, His very life, strength and vitality is poured into mine. It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life.” “My cup overflows.” David knew that truth as a shepherd and as a precious lamb in God’s flock.
All that the shepherd does for his flock, the Lord does for us. For David, the wonder of it all burst out with “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life …” Yes, the Lord abundantly blesses us, but this statement is not about what we get out of it. It is about what we leave behind.
A flock can either leave devastation behind or a purified, well-fertilized pasture. A good shepherd made sure that he left an area in good shape for those who followed, including his own flock should they return that way. We must leave goodness and mercy in our wake – bless those who follow. Ask yourself: Do I leave peace or turmoil? Forgiveness or bitterness? Contentment or conflict? Joy or frustration? Love or rancor? This isn’t just about when all is said and done, but daily – when you leave a store, a room… What follows you “all the days of your life”?
Access to all our Shepherd has and does for us requires staying close to Him. “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Forever isn’t someday, it is every day! Though the shepherd makes it possible and provides all this for those who stay close, it remains a constant choice.
“The Lord is my Shepherd!” is a wonderful reality. Fully accessing all of its wonder is choosing to daily partner with “the Shepherd and Guardian of our soul.”
