"Guarding the Sheep"

 

Psalm 23:1-6 " The LORD is my SHEPHERD; I shall not want. HE maketh me to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth me beside the still waters. HE restoreth my soul: HE leadeth 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 THOU art with me; THY rod and THY staff they comfort me. THOU preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: THOU anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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."

     "THOU preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:" (v.5 pictured below) As the Bible student examines this familiar verse, some questions arise:

(1) What did this table look like ?

(2) Is there only one sheep associated with this table ?

(3) Why would the SHEPHERD care for only one sheep ?

(4) Who is the enemy of this one sheep ?

Dr. Robert Boyd asked these questions of Israeli shepherds, and he shared his interesting findings in a small book titled The Testimony of the Sheep.

     When a sheep becomes sick or is wounded in some way, perhaps suffering from a broken bone, the healthy sheep will torment the disabled one, including eating the grass around it in an effort to starve the injured creature. The other sheep are the enemy. In response, however, the shepherd will prepare a "table" for the debilitated sheep. He carries it to a certain location in the field where he then pushes his rod into the ground on one side of the sheep and his staff into the ground on the opposite side. The shepherd puts his coat on the third side, and he himself will lay down on the fourth side. The flock knows better than to step on this "table" in order to harass the enfeebled animal, for the shepherd will chasten any malice-minded sheep in the blink of an eye.

     In like manner, our loving LORD will protect HIS child, even from HIS other children. At the same time, all of us "sheep" must do our part never to become the enemy but to support one another. Our SHEPHERD commands us to take care of the other saints by strengthening the down-trodden (Hebrews 12:12 pictured above), supporting the weak, comforting the feeble-minded, warning the unruly, and being patient toward all men (1st.Thessalonians 5:14 pictured above). KGL

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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