SHEPHERDING

I never understand all the technical elements of Fox’s House M.D., but I always enjoy the show.  It’s like the way most of us look at the 23^rd Psalm.  We know about it—or perhaps can even recite it from memory—but we don’t really understand the details.  Just as a medical doctor undoubtedly appreciates the program more than the rest of us, so an actual caretaker of sheep is likely to have greater appreciation for the famous passage.  That’s where Phillip W. Keller comes in.

Keller authored A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, which is a superb book, written by a former shepherd.  He gives insight into things we would not otherwise have knowledge of.  It would be like watching House M.D. with a doctor by your side.

Without rehashing the book verbatim, let me just touch on some highlights for you.

Sheep are stupid, and fortunately the shepherd that cares for them is not.  Because of this reality, the sheep in the shepherd’s care are content, thus not “wanting”.  And, because they are not wanting, they are at peace. 

Do you know how picky sheep can be?  According to Keller there are four criteria that need to be met before sheep have enough peace to “lie down in green pastures”.  Imagine that— as sheep we are so stupid that we won’t rest where we should without His help!

My late wife used to analyze water for the city of Crystal Lake, Illinois, and as such would alert her supervisors to unseen health hazards she discovered.  Sheep don’t have lab analysts but they do have a shepherd that makes sure they’re not drinking polluted waters that would otherwise sicken them. 

And if a sheep isn’t sick, it may need restoration as it can be “cast down”.  What does that mean?  Think of the old television commercial, “I’ve fallen—and I can’t get up!”

And if we don’t fall, we—as stupid sheep—so often long for the edge of the cliff, which is certain death.  The Good Shepherd leads us away from the attractions of life that are no good for us, and directs us instead to the most wholesome food through the journey, for it was Jesus Himself who said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” (Matt. 7:13--NKJV). 

The rod and the staff are two tools the Good Shepherd will use to help His sheep.  There are many uses for such, and they include correcting the sheep and beating off the enemies of the flock.  Thank God for a Shepherd that cares so much for His own.

Have you ever gone to a luxurious restaurant and had to set your own table?  Of course not.  But, even worse, can you imagine going to a fine dining establishment and having to cook your own food, much less with poisonous ingredients that you would not be able to discern as poisonous?  The “table” referred to here has to do with the physical location at the top of a mountain range, which needs to be “prepared” ahead of time, so that the sheep can enjoy a good meal, rather than succumb to the perils of the land.

And speaking of perils, as humans we probably don’t worry too much about flies and the like, but to a caring shepherd, controlling their effects are critical.  By anointing the head of a sheep in insect season, he/she can prevent the sheep from accidentally killing themselves, which can happen when running away from the flies in terror.    

Additionally, certain breeds of insects can be deadly to the sheep as well.  Furthermore, interestingly enough, flies don’t like the anointing—kind of like ancient Off!

The fact that goodness and mercy shall follow us all our days, and that we shall dwell in the Lord’s house forever (assuming that He is our Good Shepherd and we are His sheep), is tying the whole psalm together. 

In addition to revisiting the 23^rd Psalm, and checking out Keller’s book for yourself, also consider the following four Old Testament verses (ALL SCRIPTURE FROM NKJV)

Isaiah 53:6-7

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray;
      We have turned, every one, to his own way;
      And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
       ⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
      Yet He opened not His mouth;
      He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
      And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
      So He opened not His mouth.
Psalm 119: ¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
         Seek Your servant,
         For I do not forget Your commandments.
 ³ Know that the LORD, He is God;
         It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;^[a]
         We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
   

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 100:3 Following Kethib, Septuagint, and Vulgate; Qere, many Hebrew manuscripts, and Targum read we are His.

Psalm 23

New King James Version (NKJV)

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my shepherd;
         I shall not want.
 ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
         He leads me beside the still waters.
 ³ He restores my soul;
         He leads me in the paths of righteousness
         For His name’s sake.
   
 ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
         I will fear no evil;
         For You are with me;
         Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
   
 ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over.
 ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
         All the days of my life;

b(Les)sings