What this means as we consider the role of the shepherd in the biblical text is that flocks were not driven, they were led. Dogs were considered unclean at the time and rabies was rampant (the two may be related). Ancient Hebrew shepherds apparently did not use sheepdogs. The second intro idea related to shepherding is an important historical implication.

The main idea behind a king or queen’s scepter was that it represented a shepherd’s staff. Kings and rulers in ancient times also considered themselves to be shepherds of the people they were governing. It’s also important to notice that the motif of shepherding is NOT confined to the Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Bible. 7:17, when the saints who come out of the tribulation are brought before God, John brings together two of the most striking images of the scripture by stating, “for the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd and shall guide them to springs of the water of life and God shall wipe every tear from their eye.” This becomes a most glorious paradox: The Good Shepherd became the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world. 48:24, as Jacob was dying, he summarized his life, declaring that God had been his “shepherd all of his life to this day.” In Rev. We read in Gen 4:2 that Able, Adam and Eve’s second-born son, was a “keeper of flocks.” Also in Gen. The first intro idea for us to reflect on this morning is that the motif (or sub-theme) of the shepherd is found throughout the Bible – from Genesis to Revelation. Three introductory points to help us understand what The Good Shepherd does. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” –John 10:11-18 27-29 This commandment I received from My Father…Ģ7 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish and no one will snatch them out of My hand. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative.

For this reason, the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd. I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. Jesus presents Himself to us as the Good Shepherd… “I am the good shepherd the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

I am the shepherd