Good Shepherd

Holy God's activity as good shepherd.

This relationship serves to show how a holy God's activity as a good shepherd is one basis for understanding the relationship between holiness and goodness. The first reference to the holiness of God (Ex 15:11) is set in the midst of a section demonstrating God's activity in relationship to his people (Ex 13-18) and this activity includes

direction, protection, provision and other shepherd-like activity.

In the passage describing the journey of Israel from Egypt to Mount Sinai, there is no direct reference to God as Shepherd, but the Hebrews look back on this experience as a description of God's Shepherd role in their experience. "Oh God, when thou didst go forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness ... thy flock found a dwelling in it; in thy goodness, 0 God, thou didst provide for the needy" (Ps 68:7, 10).

Not only does he make provision for them as a Shepherd, he leads them "like a flock" (77:20). It is the "Holy One of Israel" who "led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to his holy land" (78:41, 52-54).

So it is that first occasion when God is called holy (Ex 15) that Israel looks back on as a time when God manifested himself in shepherd-like activity. a part of the manifestation of his holy name and the vindication of his holy character comes when God exercises certain shepherd-like functions. Clearly, the connection between God's activity as a Good Shepherd and his holy character is a key expression of the connection between God's holiness and his goodness.

He will gather them from all the countries and bring them into their own land (Ezek 36:22-24), and he promises "to increase their men like a flock." The end result will be a repopulation of the land so that "the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men" and by this means they will know that he is the Lord and that he is holy (Ezek 36:37-38). In the Old Testament God is referred to as a Shepherd on several occasions.

The most famous of these comes in the psalmist's declaration, "The LORD is my Shepherd" (Ps 23:1). In other Scripture, when people call on God for help, they appeal to him as a Shepherd. "Give ear, 0 Shepherd of Israel, thou who leadest Joseph like a flock!" (80:1).

Likewise the prophets claim that "he will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young" (Is 40:11). Not only does he provide, but he gathers his sheep. "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock" (Jer 31:10). Looking forward to the New Covenant, God declares himself to be like a Shepherd seeking his people. Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel.... I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will watch over, I will feed them injustice. (Ezek34:11-13,15-16) Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd - I like the hymn we sing sometimes - "Savior like a shepherd lead us, for we need thy tender care."