When a child of God finds themselves in trouble, and when problems become overwhelming, there is one section of scripture in Psalm 23 that always provides them comfort. This section of scripture refers to God's child as a sheep. This Psalm is about the unique relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. However, most of us have never been around shepherds or their sheep, much less experienced what it is like to work with them.
The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep is a profound and a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing guidance, care, and the intimate bond between God and His people. Knowing and understanding both the sheep and their shepherd can help us to understand the relationship between God and his people.
It is the love that the sheep has for his shepherd that keeps him safe and out of harm's way. Sheep are easily alarmed and can run over each other at the slightest noise. Shepherds will catch a panicked sheep and gently but firmly force them to lie down and feed quietly on the grass that the Shepherd has chosen for them to feed on. Sheep are instinctively afraid of running water so much so, that a group of thirsty sheep will stand and stare at a running stream and not take a drink until the shepherd moves a few stones around to create a still pool. In the middle of the rushing stream the shepherd provides needed water.
His rod and staff that Psalm 23 refers to are symbols of power and protection. The rod is a wooden club used to protect the sheep from wild animals, and His staff is for the wandering sheep to pull it back to safety when it strays away from the fold.
Psalm 23:5 talks about how God prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies and anoints our head with oil. Tables in Israel also describe flat, grassy areas within mountainous terrain. They are perfect for grazing sheep, but these same tables or meadows often contain holes which hide poisonous brown snakes called Adder or sheep snakes.
These snakes can pop up suddenly and strike the sheep. Knowing this, the shepherd prepares the field that he chooses for the sheep to graze in by looking for those holes and pouring a thick oil in each one to prevent the snake from climbing out! Because of the slimy skin of the snake, he simply can't climb out but slides back into the hole. As extra protection, the shepherd will also anoint the sheep’s head with oil to prevent the snake’s bite from penetrating as well as using the oil as a healing ointment for the sheep.
In the same way, when a child of God remains under the Good Shepherd's care and stays close to His side by walking with Him, He prevents the serpent (the devil) from sliding out of the unseen holes that are all around them in order that he may bite and destroy them. But as God promises, as His children draw near to Him, satan cannot get to them to defeat them.
Sheep are stubborn and hardheaded and are really good at just a few things. They are good at drowning, being defenseless, and being utterly dependent upon the shepherd. While they do provide wool and meat, they can’t even take credit for that since their God made them that way. Isaiah the Prophet nailed it when he wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” in Isaiah 53:6. Jesus knew the nature of people without a shepherd. Matthew wrote that when Jesus “saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” in Matt 9:36, and we’re helpless as well without Jesus the true, Good Shepherd.
Hold Fast,
-Bren
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