The Song

There is a large section of the Bible, that is a collection of songs and poems. One of the more well-know poems is a comparison of God as a shepherd, and God’s people as sheep.

The writer, David, was a king of Israel. But growing up, he was a shepherd, responsible to watch, and care for, his family’s sheep. He knew what was necessary to care for sheep. He knew what they needed to be whole, and healthy. And he knew the bad habits, wrong attitudes, and mindsets of sheep. And how they got into trouble without a shepherd – a good shepherd – to watch over them.

Sheep need good, healthy grass. Sheep will destroy and entire meadow by eating every last morsel of plant life. The meadow will become a desert, and a wasteland. And the sheep will remain in the former meadow, looking in vain for anything green.

So, a wise shepherd will move the flock from place to place. This keeps the sheep well-fed, and the pasture land remains healthy.

Sheep need good, clean water. They will drink the water, but also use it as a lavatory. So, the shepherd needs to encourage the former, and – to keep the flock healthy – discourage the latter.

Sheep also need still water. Apparently, sheep frighten easily. They have been know to stampede, if while they are drinking, a sudden gust of wind causes ripples on the water. (I seem to remember someone saying that sheep can be frightened, when they go to drink, and they see their reflection in the water.) If the sheep scatter out of fear, the shepherd needs to track them down, repair any damage they do to themselves in their panic, and gather them together again. All sorts of damage, and problems, can occur, because of panicked reactions.

The poem goes on to underscore disease prevention, and treatment, protection from enemies, and maintaining the environment. In all of these situations, it is the presence, and the actions, of the shepherd that make the difference between life and death. Safety, peace, and security as opposed to disaster. Health and wholeness as opposed to pain, disease, and suffering.

Like sheep, people are designed to function better, when they are in relationship to the Shepherd. We need to move, while in connection, and communication, with our Shepherd. Itg is best if we think, speak, and act, in ways that do not disrupt the connection, but rather enhances the connection.