Dedication Of The Shepherd
LESSON: PSALM 23 #2
INTRO: Psalm 23 is often called “The Shepherd Psalm.” However, it is more accurate to say “The
Sheep’s Psalm” since it depicts a sheep saying “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...” If a sheep could really talk it would also remind us that with the Lord as its shepherd all his needs are supplied. Listen as this sheep speaks: “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul; He Guides me in paths of righteousness”
I. THIS SHEPHERD LIVES FOR AND IN HIS SHEEP
A. Only When The Sheep Are OK is He Happy
1. This is our caring God
2. And we are His Sheep.
B. Even The Language reminds us of this:
1. We might say “the man is helpful...” etc
2. Here “Jehovah” is attached to other words to accentuate the depth of involvement. ILLUST: NAMES OF GOD
3. God is only our Shepherd if we allow him to be:
a. We are vulnerable, sinful and careless
b. Complete trust in Him who knows best is necessary.
4. Our Shepherd is Jesus.
a. In prediction- Isa. 40:11
b. In practice-John 10:11
II. THE SHEPHERD PROVIDES FOR HIS SHEEP
A. He Provides Nourishment
1. Sheep graze from 4 till 10:00 am
2. The shepherd is providing and protecting.
3. God feeds those who relish a spiritual diet.
B. He Provides Rest and Relaxation He makes me lie down in green pastures
1. The Shepherd finds a cool, green place in mid-
morning for them to lie down,
2. A sheep does not eat lying down so it chews it cud and digests its food. Cf. Rom. 8:28
3. All truly great people have learned the value of proper nutrition and sufficient rest.
a. Psa. 46:10- “Be still and know that I am God”
b. Elijah heard God in “a still small voice”
c. Moses heard God in the dessert.
d. Jesus withdrew to a dessert place
e. Hard to do in busy, noisy times.
4. The Shepherd finds quiet water he leads me beside quiet waters,
a. Sheep fear fast moving water; poor swimmers
b. He finds water AND comfort in one place.
(1) The caring shepherd will even use rocks to stop the flow to make a “quiet place”.
(2) The SHEEP are HIS life! Cf Heb. 7:25
C. He Provides Restoration For the Soul
1. Peace, safety, contentment, security are parts of the shepherd’s commitment- at all costs.
2. So, he leads the sheep “leads me in paths of righteousness”
a. By “quiet waters” and “in the right paths”
b. The shepherd leads them with personal love
(1) ILLUST: The Shepherd and His Flock
(2) ILLUST: Butcher vs Shepherd
3. “Restoration” is “Revives my soul”-Moffatt
a. Once a day each sheep leaves the line and comes to its shepherd for rubbing, scratching...
b. It is common for us to wear out. We need reassurance. God gives it.
c. Jesus shows us that our relationship to God is very personal and intimate
CONCLUSION:
In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience because he had spent his early years caring for sheep. Sheep are completely dependent on the Shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the good shepherd; the great Shepherd; and the Chief Shepherd. As the Lord is the good shepherd, so we are his sheep -- not frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers, wise enough to follow one who will lead us in the right places and in right ways. This psalm does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow. when you recognize the good shepherd, follow him!
ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS LESSON
NAMES OF GOD
Jehovah-Shalom – the Lord is our Peace
Jehovah-Raha – the Lord is my Shepherd
Jehovah-Jireh – the Lord will provide
Jehovah-Nissi – the Lord our Banner or Victor
Jehovah-Tsidkenu – the Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Rapha – the Lord that healeth
Jehovah-Shammah – the Lord with us or is present
The Shepherd And Flock
In our country we do not realize the intimacy of a shepherd with his flock as they do in Syria and in parts of Southern Europe. It was my daily delight every day for many weeks and a dozen times a day, to watch a shepherd who had this almost incredibly close communion with his flock. Many times have I accompanied him through the green pastures and by the stream. If my shepherd wished to lead his sheep from one pasture to another, he went before them, and he was usually singing.
He led them with a song or with a sweet, low, wooing whistle like the call of a bird, and the sheep raised their heads from the herbage, looked at their guardian and guide, and followed on. I have heard his song and his low birdcall by the watercourse, and have seen the sheep follow his course over the rocky boulders to the still waters, where they have been refreshed. At noon he would sit down in a place of shadows, and all his flock crowded around him for rest. At night, when the darkness was falling, he gathered them into the fold.
We must realize an intimacy like this if we wish to understand the shepherd imagery of the Old Book. The communion is so intimate that the shepherd knows if one of his sheep is missing.
—J. H. Jowett
Butcher Drives Sheep
A party of tourists was on its way to Palestine and its guide was describing some of the quaint customs of the East.
“Now,” said he, “you are accustomed to seeing the shepherd following his sheep through the English lanes and byways. Out in the East, however, things are different, for the shepherd always leads the way, going on before the flock. And the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”
The party reached Palestine, and, to the amusement of the tourists, almost the first sight to meet their eyes was that of a flock of sheep being driven along by a man. The guide was astonished and immediately made it his business to accost the shepherd.
“How is it that you are driving these sheep?” he asked. “I have always been told that the Eastern shepherd leads his sheep.”
“You are quite right, sir,” replied the man. “The shepherd does lead his sheep. But you see, I’m not the shepherd, I’m the butcher.”