Lesson 10What is Christ Like? |
This lesson presents a name of God that we all know. Some of us even call on this name when we are in trouble. The name is Jehovah-Rohi (Je-ho′-vah Ro′-ee), which is Jehovah my Shepherd. We find this name in Psalm 23. Many believers go to Psalm 23 often when they are in trouble or there is pressure on them from life’s challenges. However, do we really understand the roles of the shepherd and the sheep?
Before examining Psalm 23, there are some questions for you to answer.
What is a shepherd?
How can God be shepherd?
What is the role of a shepherd?
What do sheep do?
What defenses do sheep have?
Now let us examine Psalm 23.
Psalm 23
1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. 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.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup Runneth over.
6. 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.
Jehovah-Rohi was used when Israel was still a nation and it was given to David when Saul was pursuing him. The word Rohi has several meanings in Hebrew and all of them contain the character of God. The meanings are feeder, keeper, companion, friend, pastor, and shepherd. This name, Jehovah-Rohi, also contains all of the characteristics of the names of God that we have learned thus far. With this name we see God coming down in the midst of the people, the sheep.
A shepherd’s job is to feed the sheep and to lead or push them to the promise land. He also must protect them from all dangers they see and the dangers that he sees. In this role he gets to know each sheep by name. I can hear you say now, “sheep do not have names.” You are right. The shepherd will name them just as we name our dogs, cats, fish, and anything else that we come to love and appreciate. The sheep are not at a distance from the shepherd; the shepherd is close enough to call them by name. Is this the kind of God and shepherd that we want? Israel had to learn this about the God they followed. But wait! We have learned this too as Christians! God is revealing Himself to the Israelites and to us so that an intimate relationship can be established.
In this relationship, the sheep (Israel and Christians) need to know their role. They have no defenses to protect themselves. Israel had no defense until God stepped forward to protect and defend them. We do not have a defense either. Many of you will talk about how big you are, or about the gun you have, or about the karate that you know. All of these defenses will fail at some point. There will always be someone bigger than you, someone with a bigger weapon than yours, or someone who knows more than you. We are sheep and we are in need of a shepherd. Sheep have been known to walk off cliffs or to get loss. Sheep that stray away from the shepherd have become prey for hungry animals. We can see how these things can happen to us in the spiritual sense, if we do not follow or keep up with the Shepherd. Shepherds are willing even to give their lives to protect their sheep.
Jesus teaches His disciples that He is our Shepherd. We, who are in Christ, are His sheep. We must know the voice of our Shepherd and follow Him only. He truly laid down His life for His sheep so that we may be with Him in the kingdom.
John 10:7-17
7. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.8. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12. 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.
13. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father:and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16. 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.
17. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
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