05/27/2026
Life for a shepherd was challenging. Hours became days and seasons changed as he braved the elements, keeping a watchful eye on his sheep. It was a life of devotion and self sacrifice to care for the needs of his vulnerable animals. It took courage and patience, vigilance and compassion.
David, the young shepherd and psalmist who became Israel’s king, says,
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalms 23:1-4
The shepherd ruler is a servant ruler. He leads in wisdom so his sheep are guided, refreshed and encouraged. When danger comes. The lives of his sheep come first, ahead of his own. His staff was the weapon he used to defend himself and the sheep. The rod was what he used to catch and pull back any sheep that strayed from the Safe path. At the end of the day, as the sheep were gathered into the fold, the shepherd would hold the rod across the entrance, low to the ground, and every sheep had to pass under it.
“And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:”
Ezekiel 20:37
“And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.”
Leviticus 27:32
This was done so that each sheep could be examined carefully for any injuries it might have received that day. Then the shepherd would tend to them as needed. The rod and staff were truly for their safety and protection, and for those reasons. They brought great security. JESUS is our SHEPHERD
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
John 10:11-18
In those days the shepherd would lead the flock to make sure that the path was safe, and then the flock would follow. The sheep knew their shepherds voice. May we always follow our shepherds voice and steward his creation as he stewards us.
