Two Shepherds!

Sheep without a shepherd do not do too well. Such is also a picture relative to humanity. ( Matthew 9:36 ) Sheep are in need of the care and guidance a good shepherd will provide.

DAVID had grown up as A SHEPHERD OF SHEEP. From there he was elevated to become A SHEPHERD OF GOD'S PEOPLE, ISRAEL. ( 2 Samuel 5:2; 7:7) Though David was a beloved leader, he was not perfect. He committed adultery with Bathsheba and ultimately had her husband moved to where he would die in battle. ( 2 Samuel 11) Though penitent, he bore punishment for that sin. Toward the end of David's life he also committed sin in connection with a counting of his men ( 2 Samuel 24); perhaps an overemphasis on the number of his fighting men rather than retaining the focus on the deliverance God provided whether his forces were many or few. On that occasion, when David was provided the choice between three punishments, David chose to fall into the hand of God rather than men. ( 2 Samuel 24:13-14) The plague began to strike the people, but then God stopped it as it approached Jerusalem.

Note what David said to the Lord at that time. We read. . .
"(17) Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking the people, and said, 'Behold, I HAVE SINNED, and I have done wickedly. BUT THESE SHEEP, WHAT HAVE THEY DONE? Please let your hand be against me and against my father's house.' " ( 2 Samuel 24:17 ESV)

Here was Israel's spiritual shepherd acknowledging the sheep suffering for his sins. In view of this, consider how David prefigured CHRIST, the coming Messiah and SHEPHERD. (note Ezekiel 34:22-23; 37:24) JESUS, the GOOD SHEPHERD, would bring God's people into one flock. ( John 10:16) But what did the SHEPHERD JESUS do? Jesus, the sinless Shepherd, died for the sins of the sheep.

Two shepherds. One whose sin brought suffering to his sheep. The other -- JESUS -- Who suffered on behalf of the sheep. May our life reveal we truly appreciate what JESUS -- OUR GOOD SHEPHERD -- has done on our behalf. He is so due our sincere worship and praise!

Have a great day ENJOYING LIFE UNDER OUR SHEPHERDS TENDER CARE!
Carl

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