The shepherd and sheep analogy (3)
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Begin here July 11 th
Begin here July 11 th
B. NO LACK OF SPIRITUAL NECESSITIES (3)
B. NO LACK OF SPIRITUAL NECESSITIES (3)
1. He restores my soul (cf. Re 3:19)
1. He restores my soul (cf. Re 3:19)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
The Word “ Restoreth”
The Word “ Restoreth”
Means :-
Means :-
H7725
H7725
שׁוּב
שׁוּב
shûb
shûb
shoob
shoob
A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
generally to retreat; often adverbially again: - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep])
generally to retreat; often adverbially again: - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep])
X again, (cause to) answer (+ again),
X again, (cause to) answer (+ again),
X in any case (wise),
X in any case (wise),
X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease,
X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease,
X certainly, come again (back)
X certainly, come again (back)
X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again,
X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again,
X fro, get [oneself] (back) again,
X fro, get [oneself] (back) again,
X give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more,
X give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more,
X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again),
X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again),
X repent, requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still,
X repent, requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still,
X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
What does it mean that God 'restores my soul'? How can God restore my soul?
What does it mean that God 'restores my soul'? How can God restore my soul?
Simply to turn back
Simply to turn back
Ps 19:7
Ps 19:7
Psalm 19:7 (KJV 1900)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The word Converting is the same Hebrew word
The word Converting is the same Hebrew word
Lam 1:19
Lam 1:19
19 I called for my lovers, but they deceived me: My priests and mine elders gave up the ghost in the city, While they sought their meat to relieve their souls.
“Relieve” is the word here
“Relieve” is the word here
The word is often translated return in the Old Testament
The word is often translated return in the Old Testament
Note also “ My Soul”
Note also “ My Soul”
H5315
H5315
נֶפֶשׁ
נֶפֶשׁ
nephesh
nephesh
neh'-fesh
neh'-fesh
From H5314; properly a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): - any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature,
From H5314; properly a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): - any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature,
X dead (-ly), desire,
X dead (-ly), desire,
X [dis-] contented,
X [dis-] contented,
X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath,
X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath,
X jeopardy of) life
X jeopardy of) life
(X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortality, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing,
(X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortality, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing,
(X she) will, X would have it.
(X she) will, X would have it.
Allow us to go back to the Beginning in Genesis where we find God Breathing into Adam and man became a living Soul.
Allow us to go back to the Beginning in Genesis where we find God Breathing into Adam and man became a living Soul.
also in 1 Thess 5:23
also in 1 Thess 5:23
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In this New Testament Verse we see the makeup of the human being
In this New Testament Verse we see the makeup of the human being
BODY
BODY
SOUL
SOUL
SPIRIT
SPIRIT
Psalm 23:3 says, "He restores my soul." How can our souls be restored?
Psalm 23:3 says, "He restores my soul." How can our souls be restored?
The focus is on God's work in our lives. We cannot restore ourselves, but must be restored by God.
The focus is on God's work in our lives. We cannot restore ourselves, but must be restored by God.
The context of Psalm 23 is one in which David recognizes God as his shepherd or caretaker. Because God watches over him, he does not find himself in need of anything.
The context of Psalm 23 is one in which David recognizes God as his shepherd or caretaker. Because God watches over him, he does not find himself in need of anything.
All of his needs are met. He can rest in green pastures, beside still waters (Ps 23: 2). His paths are righteousness (Ps 23: 3), even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23: 4).
All of his needs are met. He can rest in green pastures, beside still waters (Ps 23: 2). His paths are righteousness (Ps 23: 3), even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23: 4).
The last portion of Psalm 23 shifts to a different scenario, one in which David sits at a table among his enemies, likely at a royal banquet.
The last portion of Psalm 23 shifts to a different scenario, one in which David sits at a table among his enemies, likely at a royal banquet.
In this word picture, David has no fear of his enemies, he is anointed (set apart as special), and his cup overflows (meaning he has plenty to drink).
In this word picture, David has no fear of his enemies, he is anointed (set apart as special), and his cup overflows (meaning he has plenty to drink).
He feels blessed with goodness and mercy and will live in God's house forever (Ps 23: 6).
He feels blessed with goodness and mercy and will live in God's house forever (Ps 23: 6).
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
A look at the entire Psalm provides three principles for "restoring my soul."
A look at the entire Psalm provides three principles for "restoring my soul."
These include
These include
rest,
rest,
reflection, and
reflection, and
replenishment.
replenishment.
1. David appears to be at rest when he composed this Psalm.
1. David appears to be at rest when he composed this Psalm.
This was not a song to prepare for battle or celebrate a holy day, but rather to enjoy a time of relaxation in God's presence.
This was not a song to prepare for battle or celebrate a holy day, but rather to enjoy a time of relaxation in God's presence.
2. Second, restoration involved reflection. His soul was restored as he looked at life from God's perspective. He felt protected, safe, and secure under the leadership of God.
2. Second, restoration involved reflection. His soul was restored as he looked at life from God's perspective. He felt protected, safe, and secure under the leadership of God.
3. Third, his restoration included replenishment. Both rest and reflection led to a renewed vigor to live for God.
3. Third, his restoration included replenishment. Both rest and reflection led to a renewed vigor to live for God.
This replenishment also included an anticipation to be with God forever in the future (Ps 23: 6).
This replenishment also included an anticipation to be with God forever in the future (Ps 23: 6).
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
With this perspective on life, David could live with a restored soul, prepared for the problems of the day. He knew God was with him, cared for him, and would never leave his side.
With this perspective on life, David could live with a restored soul, prepared for the problems of the day. He knew God was with him, cared for him, and would never leave his side.
There was no battle too big for him to face with God in his life.
There was no battle too big for him to face with God in his life.
The same is true in our own lives. If we wish to see God restore our soul, we need to make time to rest, reflect, and replenish.
The same is true in our own lives. If we wish to see God restore our soul, we need to make time to rest, reflect, and replenish.
We cannot expect to live with a fresh sense of God's presence in our lives if we constantly rush from one issue to the next.
We cannot expect to live with a fresh sense of God's presence in our lives if we constantly rush from one issue to the next.
To be restored takes time, focused on God and His greatness, to renew us with hope and joy regarding this life and anticipation for eternity.
To be restored takes time, focused on God and His greatness, to renew us with hope and joy regarding this life and anticipation for eternity.
“He restores my soul.” Four simple words in English. Two simple words in Hebrew.
“He restores my soul.” Four simple words in English. Two simple words in Hebrew.
But what do they mean?
But what do they mean?
What do they say to us?
What do they say to us?
What should they say to us?
What should they say to us?
We have before us the image of the Shepherd with His flock.
We have before us the image of the Shepherd with His flock.
The images in verse 2 are clear.
The images in verse 2 are clear.
We can see the lush pastures beside the quiet stream where the flock lies under the watchful eye of their Shepherd.
We can see the lush pastures beside the quiet stream where the flock lies under the watchful eye of their Shepherd.
But “he restores my soul”?
But “he restores my soul”?
What image does that call to mind?
What image does that call to mind?
How do we see the Shepherd restoring the souls of His flock?
How do we see the Shepherd restoring the souls of His flock?
It is easy to think that perhaps David has shifted his gaze here from the sheep to the person.
It is easy to think that perhaps David has shifted his gaze here from the sheep to the person.
But the following phrases also refer to the flock and the Shepherd’s leading, leaving us to ponder the connection of this clause with those that precede and with those that follow.
But the following phrases also refer to the flock and the Shepherd’s leading, leaving us to ponder the connection of this clause with those that precede and with those that follow.
It is the Good Shepherd, then, who in restoring our souls binds up our wounds, and gives us strength in place of weakness.
It is the Good Shepherd, then, who in restoring our souls binds up our wounds, and gives us strength in place of weakness.
He restores.
He restores.
It is at this point that we receive help from other shepherd passages.
It is at this point that we receive help from other shepherd passages.
Perhaps the best shepherd passage in the Old Testament is Ezekiel 34.
Perhaps the best shepherd passage in the Old Testament is Ezekiel 34.
This passage may well have been in the mind of Jesus when He began His discourse on the good shepherd in John 10.
This passage may well have been in the mind of Jesus when He began His discourse on the good shepherd in John 10.
In Ezekiel 34, we hear the Lord condemning the shepherds of Israel.
In Ezekiel 34, we hear the Lord condemning the shepherds of Israel.
Part of their guilt is that they have not brought back the sheep that have strayed (Ezekiel 34:4).
Part of their guilt is that they have not brought back the sheep that have strayed (Ezekiel 34:4).
4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
When the Lord later in the passage states that He Himself will be their shepherd, He says, in part, that He will bring back the sheep that have strayed (Ezekiel 34:16).
When the Lord later in the passage states that He Himself will be their shepherd, He says, in part, that He will bring back the sheep that have strayed (Ezekiel 34:16).
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
There’s our connection.
There’s our connection.
We tend to see the sheep lying peacefully in the meadow and we forget that sheep are contrary animals.
We tend to see the sheep lying peacefully in the meadow and we forget that sheep are contrary animals.
They get up.
They get up.
They walk around.
They walk around.
They stray.
They stray.
It is the task of the shepherd to bring them back.
It is the task of the shepherd to bring them back.
In the psalm, then, we see the Shepherd, active, going after those sheep that have strayed, bringing them back to the flock.
In the psalm, then, we see the Shepherd, active, going after those sheep that have strayed, bringing them back to the flock.
And we are comforted, knowing that our Good Shepherd will not allow us to stray too far. He will search us out and bring us back to the flock.
And we are comforted, knowing that our Good Shepherd will not allow us to stray too far. He will search us out and bring us back to the flock.
2. He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name's sake (cf. 1Co 10:13)
2. He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name's sake (cf. 1Co 10:13)
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.