Christianity Oasis Forum

[morningrain]

Just a few facts about sheep I have found really interesting and hope you do to.

These were taken and written by W. G. Bowen, Why the Shepherd? (n.d.), 79-84.
What's highlighted is my own little notes.


1. Sheep has no sense of direction, unlike other animals do.
God has given us His Holy Spirit to lead us.

2. When in unfamiliar territory and are lost. The lost sheep usually will walk around in endless circles, in a state of confusion, unrest, and even panic.
What first comes to mind is
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jesus as our Shepherd finds His lost sheep by His Spirit he calls out to them and draws them near to Him, that they will not be lost.

3. Sheep spend most of their lives eating and drinking, but they are indiscriminate about what they consume. They don't know the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous plants. Therefore their diet must be carefully guarded by the shepherd.
Without Christ and His Spirit, we could not discern between false teachings and truth. .

4. When grazing, once they devour their own range, they are unable to move to a new range on their own. If not led to green pastures, they will continue to eat the stubble of the old pasture until nothing remains but dirt. Soon they will run out of food altogether and starve to death.

5. Sheep must have clear water that is not stagnant and filled with potential disease. It can't be too cold, too hot, or moving too rapidly. It must be close by and easily accessible.

[color=blue]4 and 5 together brings to mind what David wrote. Psalms 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

[mlg]

I'm not sure about this one for sure...but I've heard that if a sheep doesn't know someone they will not follow them...they only follow the shepherd that they know...they won't follow another one.

John 10
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I 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 shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

[morningrain]

I'm not sure either Mlg, that would be neat though. In my opinion its makes sense.

Mat 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

Jesus isn't going to let one sheep remain lost, He will go and seek that one sheep.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

When He finds and calls that one lost sheep they will come.

Thank you for adding that.

[morningrain]

The man who wrote on all this, in high school, took a summer job as a shepherd, which sparked an interest in sheep. Throughout the years of his ministry he studied shepherding, but that understanding greatly increased when he visited Australia and New Zealand in 1988. In addition to spending time with some lifelong shepherds, he studied the writings of one of the foremost shepherds in New Zealand.

This is an excerpt of a short story of 'A Day in the Life of a Shepherd'

The shepherd knows the range. He has walked the sheep paths long before any of his flock were born. He knows where the green pastures are and he knows where the fresh springs of water are. The way is not always easy.

Sometimes the sheep must be forced and persuaded to move down a steep, rocky path. It is often difficult going. They would much rather climb then to descend. It is their natural inclination. The rocky path is narrow. The rocky path is perilous. The rocky path hurts their tender feet. There is unnecessary crowding and there is dust and there is heat.
Finally, they come to the low plateau and the lower ground. At last, around the bottom bluff, the spring gently gurgles, making a still pond of crystal clear water. The leaders call to the others, signalling the discovery of the water, and within a few minutes, all is contentment. Thirst is replaced with refreshment.

And what a sight! Each sheep takes its turn. Each sheep sips, rather than gulps. There's no charging in, no shoving aside, no forcing itself ahead of the other. They wait politely one for another. They often take time to wet their silky muzzles, swish, and toss their heads, drinking slowly with no haste and great contentment.

Then it is siesta time, the sheep in the cool shade of boulders and bushes and trees, and the shepherd in the shade of a high point, where he can survey all the flock as they settle down for a 2 or 3 hour nap. At last the rams, the wethers, and the older sheep have found rest and relaxation. At last the lambs have quieted down, and are willing to leave their mother-ewes alone and undisturbed. A time for quite. A time for rest. A time for meditation. ...

It is mid-afternoon, and the first to move is the shepherd. The shadows are beginning to grow longer. The heat of the day is passed. And it is time to retrace steps back to home and to the sheepfold. The flock is slow to stir from its siesta. The sheep would remain where they were all day and into the twilight if the shepherd would let them, but it is time to depart and begin the journey homeward.

The leaders of the flock are started back first, along the path that leads homeward, and up the steep path. The rest slowly follow. On regaining the tops, the afternoon winds begin to stir. The stir becomes a strong wind and a gale, directly in the face of the flock, the dust flying and the hot air whistling straight into their faces.

How the flock dislike wind in their face! Always on the range they immediately turn their backs to the wind. But now they must take the wind head on. Why? Why doesn't the shepherd let us go before it, turn our back to it, or lead us some other way? The answer is, although it be difficult, although it be hard, it is the way home to the sheepfold. If they linger, if they dawdle, if they are not there by sunset, the flock will become scattered, sheep will lose their way, and they will become prey for predators, for thieves, for robbers who prefer the darkness to the light, because their deeds are evil.

be continued tomorrow.....

[morningrain]

continued...

It is not an easy end to the day. Many problems have been faced, many dangers anticipated, many needs met, and the shepherd has had to be vigilant all the day long.
When the way is hard, the flock may often become quite unsettled, even when it's on its way home. The shepherd observes a poor old ewe, limping along at the tail of the mob. He goes to her and finds a small hard stick between her hooves. He takes the ewe in his arms, holds her gently and reassuredly, and carefully removes the offending hurt. He rubs in some soothing salve, lifts her to her feet, and moves her into the homeward path.

A count of the flock reveals that one sheep is missing. He looks far and wide, and then retraces the path of the sheep, looking for the one that is lost. He searches high and low, and there, in the thicket of a thorn bush is the hogget, caught and unable to escape. Gently he works the yearling loose and carries it over his shoulders the half mile to rejoin the procession home.

When he catches up with the flock and returns the lost sheep, the shepherd spots two big rams fighting it out for leadership and dominance within the flock. Hurriedly the shepherd parts them and teaches them whose really the boss the shepherd himself.
While the shepherd was gone, a ewe has become cast in a hole and her lamb separated off on the other side of the mob. Both are in great distress. The shepherd goes into action, lifting the ewe back on to her feet, reassuring her, walking her through the mob, while she calls for her little lamb. Finally they are soon reunited with joy abounding.

The sun is setting amidst the colorful clouds in the western sky "red sky at night, shepherds delight" there is promise of a wonderful day tomorrow.

The last mile, the easy mile, is a well-worn path back to the sheepfold. It has been traveled many times and on many days. The sheep sense familiar territory, their home field and their home fold. The shepherd precedes them, and stands at the sheepfold with the gate wide open. He calls them in, "come unto me . . . and ye shall find rest." The mob with little prompting streams through the portal to rest, to protection, and to contentment.

Here, in the sheepfold, no more dangers or perils. There are no rocky paths. There are no predators. There is no blazing sun, no dry grass, no dust, no wind, no thorns, no crying, no pain. Rather there is sweet straw, pure water, high walls around the sanctuary, protection against all dangers, sweet peace, sweet rest, and sweet fellowship until the shepherd comes to awaken them again to a bright, new morning.

The shepherd knows his flock. The shepherd knows the correct number, and all are present and accounted for. All are in and he shuts the door. No one can enter and no one can leave. He alone has the power to open it again.1

The Chief Shepherd
Jesus is the perfect example of a loving shepherd. He epitomizes everything that a spiritual leader should be. Peter called Him the "Chief Shepherd" (1 Pet. 5:4). Jesus called Himself the "Good Shepherd," who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). In John 10:27-28 he says,

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.
He is our great Rescuer, Leader, Guardian, Protector, and Comforter.