In Appreciation of Shepherds Who Watch Out for Our Souls
Studying Psalm 23.
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17)
The quality of life for any sheep depends on the type of shepherd the sheep has.
Our “Chief Shepherd” is Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:4), and He is a loving, selfless, and good shepherd (John 10:11-18). We belong to Him because He made us (Genesis 1:26-27), bought us (1 Peter 1:18-19), and continually works on our behalf (1 John 2:1).
Because Jesus’ flock is so valuable to Him, He doesn’t allow just anyone to serve as shepherds who watch over His flock (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
We will consider Psalm 23 and what it teaches us about a shepherd’s care for the flock - and hopefully, we will better appreciate what the elders do in keeping watch over the flock of God.
“I shall not want”
This is a picture of having the proper care and being utterly contented in the care of the Shepherd.
This does not refer to having every physical need satisfied – even Paul sometimes experienced times of physical or material need. Yet, he was content in whatever physical state he was in (Philippians 4:11-13).
Sometimes, having everything we need from a physical or material standpoint can blind us to more significant needs (Revelation 3:17). “I shall not want” does not refer to physical or material needs/wants.
This pictures an individual who has put all their affairs into the hands of God – and they are content with His care, for He continues to care for them (1 Peter 5:6-7). They are not looking elsewhere for satisfaction – they are content with the Shepherd’s care for them.
Our shepherds work hard to provide all that the flock here needs because that is what following the example of the Chief Shepherd looks like. As our shepherds lead us after the Chief Shepherd, we ought to be content with their watching over us rather than looking for “greener pastures.”
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures”
Four requirements must be met for a sheep to “lie down in green pastures.”
1) Must be free from fear.
The presence of the shepherd has an immediate calming effect on sheep that are afraid.
During times of fear or when we face the unknown, our shepherds are present among us and keep us close to our Chief Shepherd (Joshua 1:1-9).
2) Must be free from tension or rivalry within the flock.
Ezekiel 34:15-16, 20-22 is a picture of what God would do to those sheep who imposed their will upon the flock.
The shepherd’s job is to pay attention to sheep who create tension and strife among the flock, and they step in and enforce peace to save the flock. A flock of sheep can quickly become unhealthy if rivalries and strife continue unchecked.
When strife and disagreements arise within the flock, our shepherds point us to the example of our Chief Shepherd (Luke 22:24-27).
3) Must be free from pests and parasites.
Various insects create massive problems for the sheep, and sheep can become so distressed that they end up injuring themselves to try to find relief. The shepherd pays careful attention to anything disturbing the flock and provides a remedy to help relieve discomfort and protect against further distress.
Our shepherds closely watch for anything that may disturb the sheep and then help with whatever is needed (James 5:13-16).
4) Must be free from hunger.
The shepherd goes to great lengths to ensure the sheep continue to have green pastures to feed on – and this requires a great deal of work because sheep cannot remain for very long in the same pasture because they will destroy it.
A healthy, growing flock of sheep is a flock that is constantly being guided into green pastures by the shepherd – who puts forth great efforts to make sure the pastures are what the sheep need.
Our shepherds put forth a great deal of effort to make sure the flock here is well-fed with God’s word (1 Peter 2:1-3).
“He leads me beside the still waters”
Just as sheep need water to survive, people need the water Jesus offers to satisfy their spiritual thirst (Matthew 5:6; John 4:10-14).
When sheep become thirsty, they will set out to find any water they can – if they are not led to pure water sources, they will drink from contaminated sources and become unhealthy from various parasites.
Our shepherds ensure that the flock receives the pure water that Jesus – our Chief Shepherd – gives. Trying to find our own water source to satisfy our spiritual thirst will only lead to greater thirst that cannot be quenched (Jeremiah 2:13).
Our shepherds work to bring us all to the “water of life” that God offers and to keep us coming back to what God offers (Revelation 22:17) so that we don’t wander off on our own looking for our own source of water (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
“He restores my soul”
A “cast” sheep is when a sheep has turned over on its back and cannot get up on its own – and if the shepherd does not find it within a reasonably short amount of time, the sheep will die.
David, who was very familiar with “cast” sheep since he had been a shepherd himself, expressed how his soul was “cast down” (Psalm 42) and how he looked to God – his shepherd – for help.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4-7 was probably about a sheep that had become “cast,” and the shepherd went out looking for it, found it, “restored” it, and brought it home.
Not only does it take the shepherd time to find the sheep, but getting the sheep back up on its feet and moving around again takes some time as well.
Just as our Chief Shepherd came to this earth to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10), so our shepherds put forth great effort to gently, yet urgently, restore sheep that have become “cast” and “lost” because of sin (Galatians 6:1).
“He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake”
A shepherd must lead his sheep from one pasture to the next because sheep left in one pasture for too long will quickly destroy it.
Sheep will eat all the grass and even dig up and eat the grass roots – leaving nothing to prevent the erosion of the pastureland. They will travel over the same ground, making massive ruts and trenches in the land.
To protect the flock's health and the pastureland, the shepherd must keep the flock on the move.
The shepherd must have a plan to periodically shift the flock to new pastures so that they have enough to eat and so they don’t destroy the land. Planning when and where to move the sheep requires careful, constant attention from the shepherd.
Sheep left to their own devices – and we are like sheep – are self-destructive (Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 53:6).
Jesus is our Chief Shepherd who leads us in the right way – on the path we need to follow (John 14:6; John 10:27). Following Him means we must deny ourselves and deny ourselves the path we want to take (Mark 8:34-36).
Our shepherds plan ahead to keep the flock moving after the Chief Shepherd – they are to constantly evaluate what the flock needs so that the flock is not left to its own devices.
Halfway point of Psalm 23.
Up to this point, it’s as if the sheep is praising the loving care of its shepherd to other sheep across the fence during the winter and spring months when the flock is kept on the “home ranch.”
From here on out, the sheep directly addresses the shepherd Himself – in the summer months, the good shepherds would lead their sheep out of the “home ranch” and into the hillside country and mountain meadow,s where they would slowly travel and graze until winter forced them back down to the “home ranch” once more.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”
While dangerous, the valleys were the best way for the shepherd to lead the flock up into the “hill country” or the “mountain pastures” for the summertime. The valleys were also the best-watered route to the top and the places with the best food for the flock. While this requires a tremendous amount of work and effort by the shepherd, this is what the flock needs to thrive and be healthy.
There were many dangers along the way through the valley up to the hilltop pastures – flash floods, predators, poisonous plants, treacherous footing, etc.
The sheep’s perspective is: “No matter what we face, I’m not afraid because my shepherd is there with me.”
Jesus is our Chief Shepherd who promised never to leave or forsake us (Matthew 28:20).
Our shepherds are there for the flock even during some of the most challenging moments of our lives, which gives the flock confidence in the shepherds (James 5:13-16).
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me”
Shepherds would always carry a rod and a staff into the field with them.
The rod was a long, slender staff with a hard wooden ball carved at one end. It represented the shepherd's authority, discipline, and protection for the flock.
The staff had a crook or a hook on one end. It represented the shepherd's compassion, kindness, and care for the flock. It would be used to guide the sheep in the right way or to bring the sheep close to the shepherd.
Our Chief Shepherd protects His flock (John 10:11-15) and lovingly corrects His sheep who stray too far (Hebrews 12:3-11).
Our shepherds follow the Chief Shepherd’s example by protecting the flock and correcting those who have strayed from the Chief Shepherd (Titus 1:9). This is done out of love for the flock that our Chief Shepherd purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
It’s a comfort to know that our shepherds love us and watch out for our souls (Hebrews 13:17).
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”
As the sheep approach the “mountain pastures” or the “tablelands,” the shepherd will go before the flock to examine the pasture and remove any threats to the sheep, like poisonous plants, treacherous ground, or getting rid predators’ hiding places and watching out for predators.
This illustrates how our Chief Shepherd cares for us – He knows all the potential threats that lie ahead. Jesus warned Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat, but that Jesus had prayed for him (Luke 22:31-32).
Satan is compared to a roaring lion that is looking for victims to devour – and we must stand firm in our faith against him, trusting in the Lord (1 Peter 5:8-10).
Our shepherds watch out for our souls – remaining on guard against potential threats to the flock and for that which would endanger our souls (Acts 20:28-31).
“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows”
The shepherd pays close attention to the health of the sheep and provides the needed remedy to keep them healthy.
Christians are commanded to meditate upon the good things – so that we do not become “unhealthy” (Philippians 4:8). Our shepherd knows when we have become “unhealthy” spiritually – and it’s by His word that He reveals our condition to us (Hebrews 4:12; James 1:22-25).
If we confess our sins to Him, He has promised to keep on “healing” us or “forgiving us” of all our sins (1 John 1:5-10). His grace is overflowing toward us (Romans 5:15-16; Ephesians 2:4-7).
Our shepherds keep watch for those in the flock who may have become spiritually “unhealthy” – and they help turn them back to the Lord (James 5:13-20).
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
As this psalm has described, a sheep that is cared for by a shepherd knows its blessed state and privileged position.
When we consider how much Jesus loves us (John 3:16), how He gave Himself to die for us (1 John 3:16), how He became poor so that we might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9), how He is moved with compassion for us when we face difficulties and temptations (Hebrews 4:14-16) – how could we arrive at any other conclusion than “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life?”
As our shepherds tend to the flock here, as you learn more about what they do by observing their care of the flock – I hope we will realize how blessed we are!
“I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever”
This sheep has considered all the ways the shepherd cares for it, has experienced the shepherd's loving care through good times and bad, and concludes – “Why would I want to follow anyone else or be anywhere else?”
Certainly, this looks forward to our “forever home” with the Lord (John 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), but I think it also points to the blessings of following the Lord now – and that no other life is worth living (Philippians 1:20-21). It’s a life that makes Christ our life now and looks forward to living forever with Him after this life is over (Colossians 3:1-4).
When we consider how our shepherds watch out for our souls, we should conclude, “Why would I want to be anywhere else?” It’s not nearly as challenging to “obey” and “submit” when we know “they are keeping watch over your souls.”
The role of godly shepherds is essential to the health of a congregation of the Lord’s church.
Just as sheep cannot remain healthy for long without a shepherd, neither can a congregation of the Lord’s people remain “spiritually” healthy for very long without godly shepherds.
May we all be thankful for godly shepherds who watch over our souls!
Very good!
Amen