Jeremiah 23:4-6 4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.
5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness. (KJV)
David the shepherd. He was from the tribe of Judah, the lion. A lion caring for the lambs. A shepherd becomes a king. A warrior willing to lay down his life for a lamb. Shepherds care for sheep: They are fed, watered, led by still waters, lay down in peace, are protected, and know the shepherd’s voice. Sheep lack no good thing when they stay near the shepherd. Are you getting this beautiful picture of safety, peace–a total lack of FEAR and confusion! David was a picture to Israel of the Messiah’s work. Jeremiah the prophet spoke of David as he wrote of the Messiah’s coming and this coming is two-fold: The first advent was as a baby, poor, humble, caring; being prepared for the offering of his life as a sacrifice-death; the second advent will be as king, righteous ruler, the earth as his footstool, and he will insure the safety of our eternal home and provide our eternal life!. No fear, nothing lacking.
Psalm 23 written by the shepherd boy David, beautifully paints a picture of the lessons learned as a shepherd and how our lives will look when we like sheep are led by the master Shepherd, Jesus.
Psalm 23 Explained (pdf) (source-opens powerpoint)
This is a picture of what a shepherd does. In order to get to the sheep, you have to get past the shepherd whose body serves as the door to the sheepfold. He will lay down his life for the sheep. This IS the responsibility of the shepherd. Can there be any reason to be afraid or confused?
Links for further reading:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2012/fall/what-good-shepherds.html
Cup of Christmas, December 2, 2015 post
Fear Not Journey Toward Death, January 6, 2016 post
Feasting at the Father’s Table, November 19, 2015 post
Yvonne
I wish David were Herero run for Presisent, although I know only Jesus’ return will bring peace on earth. The pictorial explanation of the 23rd Psalm was awesome. Will share and refer back to it often!! Bless you Von.
Let me type that first line again!?
I wish David was here to run for President.