“He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them in the fold of His garment.” (Isaiah 40:11)
In reading this verse, I found myself curious to learn more about sheep. What is it about this creature which makes us so much alike?
- Sheep form relational bonds. They are social animals who enjoy having a best friend.
- Sheep are defenseless animals having no means of protecting themselves.
- Sheep have good hearing but poor vision, therefore, often cannot see where they are going. This is the very reason they respond well to voices.
- Sheep have excellent memory. Combine this with the above fact and you have the very reason they can memorize up to fifty human voices.
- Sheep cannot right themselves from certain positions. Left alone, they would die in about one hours time.
- Sheep are nervous, timid and easily frightened animals. When fearful, they react and run even if they do not know where they are running.
We bear such similarity to sheep …
We have a strong desire for a best friend, someone to hear our innermost thoughts and share our burdens. We are often defenseless, bearing injuries from circumstances and relationships. Many times we, as well, have no idea where we are headed in life. Perhaps we have even wandered aimlessly at times. We possess the ability of memory, holding onto both the good and the bad. We even hold onto memories we would have been better off to let go of. We can find ourselves in predicaments and positions which we cannot right on our own. And who of us, has not been known to run even when we have no idea where we are running?
Seriously, I am discovering I am in greater need of a shepherd than I ever could have realized. And gratefully, I have one ….
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, NLT)
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep and they know me.”
(John 10:14, NLT)
I have a Shepherd who leads me where I will be protected and safe. He will fight for me. My needs will be provided. He will go before me to lead the way, calling so I will hear His voice. He does not leave me alone but pursues me when I have gone awry. He brings His peace when I am fearful so I will not run amok.
He is the Shepherd and gratefully, I am one of His sheep.
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The pastor at my church is teaching on Psalm 23 right now. He also taught about how much we are like sheep. One of the thing he said is that “sheep are stupid” haha. We certainly do need a shepherd and I’m glad I have one, too.
I had to laugh as I read “sheep are stupid”. I have heard that before. I am hoping and praying that this sheep here learns from her mistakes & is not as stupid as I once was 🙂
Joanne, I love posts like this. Short, but packed with good take-aways. Loved the info on sheep. They can memorize up to 50 human voices???? Crazy. Stopping by from MADM.
Isn’t that wild about memorizing 50 voices. Made me realize that is my problem – – I need to memorize only one voice –> His!
Great post! Sheep are fascinating creatures. My brother raises them and says these characteristics are all true. I love that he’s a pastor and raises sheep too! Blessings to you and yours!
Marie
Oh my gosh, I love what you shared about your brother! I cannot imagine all the practical lessons he has learned & been able to share due to raising sheep. Thank you for sharing that with me. It truly blessed me!
I have any only known him for 3 years. (My dad gave him up for adoption at a very young age, when his wife disappeared and was never found.) I have a new sister, too! He’s quite the character. I’m sure you would love him. Blessings to you and yours!
Marie, how amazing that after all this time, God would see fit to bring you back together! Thank you for sharing more of your story with me! May God bless your relationship with your siblings & restore the time that has been lost. Blessings!
The more I learn about sheep, the more I can see why we are compared to sheep. So thankful that we have the Good Shepherd who will lead us and protect us!
There is so much we can learn from sheep & our need of a Shepherd. Like you, Ronja, I am grateful He leads & protects us!
I have always been partial to the metaphor of our Lord as Shepherd. It soothes and comforts me in the darker times.
Me too, Lisa. It is amazing how we can take comfort from this familiar analogy. May He bless you greatly today!
“I am discovering I am in greater need of a shepherd than I ever could have realized.” Oh yes. Me, too – especially after reading this about sheep. Thank you for drawing out the similarities in this vivid picture.