The Messiah Is A Governor Shepherding Yahweh's People
Matthew 2:1-6 reads,
2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2:2"Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." 2:3When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 2:4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 2:5They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written through the prophet,2:6
‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah,For out of you shall come forth a governor,
Who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’"
The Messiah is indeed a governor who shall shepherd Yahweh's people, Israel. In other words, Yahweh's people are likened to sheep.
How will the Messiah shepherd Yahweh's people?
Sheep Without A Shepherd Are Weary And Scattered
Matthew 9:35-38 reads,
9:35
Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 9:36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, as sheep without a shepherd. 9:37Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 9:38Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest."
Shepherds Of Yahweh's People Should Energise Them And Gather Them In One Place
That Yah'shuah had compassion for the multitude, on account of their being weary and scattered, indicates that Yahweh's people should be energetic and gathered together in one place. For this to take place there must indeed be a shepherd who so energises them and gathers them together in one place. Shepherds of Yahweh's people should therefore energise them and gather them together in one place.
How should shepherds of Yahweh's people energise them? How and where should they gather them together in one place?
The Son Of Man Is Shepherd Of All The Nations
Matthew 25:31-46 reads,
25:31
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 25:32Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 25:33He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 25:34Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 25:35for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; 25:36naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.’25:37
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you; or thirsty, and give you a drink? 25:38When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in; or naked, and clothe you? 25:39When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you?’25:40
"The King will answer them, ‘Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 25:41Then will he say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; 25:42for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; 25:43I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’25:44
"Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?’25:45
"Then will he answer them, saying, ‘Most assuredly I tell you, inasmuch as you didn’t do it to one of these least, you didn’t do it to me.’ 25:46These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
The Traits Of The Sheep Who Are Blessed Of The Father
The Son of Man is the King and also the Shepherd. His flock of sheep is made up of people from among all nations. The sheep he calls the blessed of his Father, who inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. These blessed of the Father have love in their hearts, for they meet the needs of those who are needy. They are also called the righteous and are considered to be the King's brothers.
The Traits Of The Goats Who Are Cursed
Those who are not part of the King's flock of sheep are goats, and are also called cursed. These do not have love in their hearts, in that they do not meet the needs of the needy.
Yah'shuah Is The Chief Shepherd
Matthew 26:31-32 reads,
26:31
Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be offended by me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered abroad.’ 26:32But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee."Yah'shuah clearly described himself to his disciples as their and the shepherd! There is one ultimate shepherd of the flock, and that is Yah'shuah.
A Good Shepherd Has Compassion On The Flock
Mark 6:30-44 reads,
6:30
The apostles gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. 6:31He said to them, "You come apart into a desert place, and rest awhile." For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 6:32They went away in the boat to a desert place by themselves. 6:33They saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to him. 6:34Jesus came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 6:35When it was late in the day, his disciples came to him, and said, "This place is a desert, and it is late in the day. 6:36Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages, and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat."6:37
But he answered them, "You give them something to eat."They asked him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them something to eat?"
6:38
He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go see."When they knew, they said, "Five, and two fish."
6:39
He commanded those that all should sit down by companies on the green grass. 6:40They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. 6:41He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves, and he gave to his disciples to set before them, and he divided the two fish among them all. 6:42They all ate, and were filled. 6:43They took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish. 6:44Those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.Yah'shuah the shepherd fed his flock. He both taught them many things and also fed them with physical food, even physical food produced miraculously. It therefore appears that the spiritual food for the flock is made up of Yah'shuah's teachings.
Good Shepherds Watch Over Their Flock At All Times
Luke 2:6-20 reads,
2:6
It happened, while they were there, that the day had come that she should give birth. 2:7She brought forth her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn. 2:8There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 2:9Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 2:10The angel said to them, "Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. 2:11For there is born to you, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 2:12This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a feeding trough." 2:13Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,2:14
"Glory to God in the highest,2:15
It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the shepherds said one to another, "Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 2:16They came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. 2:17When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 2:18All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. 2:19But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 2:20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken to them.Shepherds who keenly perform their shepherding duties keep watch over their flock at all times, even at night.
John 10 reads,
10:1
"Most assuredly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 10:2But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 10:3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 10:4Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 10:5They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers." 10:6Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.10:7
Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most assuredly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. 10:8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 10:9I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. 10:10The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly. 10:11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 10:12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. 10:13The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. 10:14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 10:15even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 10:16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 10:17Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 10:18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father."10:19
Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words. 10:20Many of them said, "He has a demon, and is mad! Why do you listen to him?" 10:21Others said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn't possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"10:22
It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. 10:23It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 10:24The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."10:25
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. 10:26But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you. 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 10:28I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 10:29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 10:30I and the Father are one."10:31
Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. 10:32Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?"10:33
The Jews answered him, "We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."10:34
Jesus answered them, "Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ 10:35If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), 10:36Do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ 10:37If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. 10:38But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works; that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."10:39
They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand. 10:40He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was at the first baptizing, and there he stayed. 10:41Many came to him. They said, "John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true." 10:42Many believed in him there.
How True Shepherds Come To The Flock
True shepherds come to the flock through the door into the sheepfold. Seeing that Yah'shuah is the door into the sheepfold true shepherds come to Yah'shuah's sheep by going through Yah'shuah. False shepherds - wolves - do not come to the flock through Yah'shuah, but seek to come to the flock through other ways.
The Voice That Yah'shuah's Sheep Know
Yah'shuah's sheep - the righteous - know only his voice and don't know the voice of others - thieves - those who come to kill, steal and destroy. Therefore any shepherd who is given a hearing among Yah'shuah's flock must speak with Yah'shuah's voice. Otherwise he won't be listened to.
True Shepherds LEAD Their Flock
True shepherds lead their flock out of the sheepfold to pasture in the fields and lead them back into the sheepfold. They LEAD their flock, rather than FOLLOW their flock. It is the flock that follows them. True shepherds must therefore walk the path they intend for the sheep to walk in prior to sheep walking on that path.
Good Shepherds Have Compassion For Their Sheep
Good shepherds care for their sheep. They do not flee from the sheep in the face of enemies who come to their flock to do harm to the flock. They defend the flock and die for the flock if necessary, as Yah'shuah died for the righteous of all nations of the whole world!
True Shepherds Defend The Flock Against Enemies
The objectives of the enemies of Yah'shuah's flock are to steal, kill, destroy, snatch and scatter. True shepherds must therefore act to counter the enemies' moves to achieve their destructive objectives. They are therefore the defenders of the flock.
Elders - Overseers - Shepherd Yah'shuah's Assemblies
Acts 20:16-38 reads,
20:16
For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.20:17
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly. 20:18When they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 20:19serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 20:20how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 20:21testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 20:22Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 20:23except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 20:24But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the gospel of the grace of God.20:25
Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 20:26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men, 20:27for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 20:28Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 20:29For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 20:30Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 20:31Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 20:32Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 20:33I coveted no one’s silver, or gold, or clothing. 20:34You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. 20:35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"20:36
When he had spoken these things, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. 20:37They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, 20:38sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. They brought him on his way to the ship.
It Is The Holy Spirit Who Appoints Elders Over Yah'shuah's Assemblies
Overseers are synonymous with elders. These are so selected by the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of shepherding the assembly of Yah'shuah. The manner they are to shepherd Yah'shuah's assembly is by speaking with Yah'shuah's voice, and leading them to eat of Yah'shuah's pasture or food.
Bad shepherds do not speak with Yah'shuah's voice but speak differently from Yah'shuah and seek to draw away Yah'shuah's flock after their own selves. These are wolves who seek to snatch and scatter Yah'shuah's flock, thereby acting against the welfare of Yah'shuah's flock.
The Lamb Will Shepherd People Of All Nations
Revelation 7:9-17 reads,
7:9
After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. 7:10They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."7:11
All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God, 7:12saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen."7:13
One of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?"7:14
I told him, "My lord, you know."He said to me, "These are those who came out of the great oppression. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. 7:15Therefore are they before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 7:16They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; 7:17for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to living springs of waters. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
When will the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne become shepherd to people who will have been serving Yahweh in his temple in heaven day and night? Will he be shepherd to them after the time of their service in the temple of Yahweh?
What Does "Living Springs Of Waters" Mean?
Where are the living springs of waters that Yah'shuah the Lamb will guide his flock to? What are the living springs of waters?
The Shepherd, The Stone Of Israel, Comes From The Mighty One Of Jacob
Genesis 49:22-26 reads,
49:22
"Joseph is a fruitful bough,49:23
The archers have sorely grieved him,49:24
But his bow abode in strength,49:25
Even by the God of your father, who will help you,With blessings of heaven above,
Blessings of the deep that couches beneath,
Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb.
49:26
The blessings of your fatherThey will be on the head of Joseph,
On the crown of the head of him who is separated from his brothers.
49:24 appears to be a prophecy showing that the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel, comes from the Mighty One of Jacob, from the One Jacob worships.
The Shepherd Of Yahweh's Congregation Is Its Appointed Leader
Numbers 27:12-23 reads,
27:12
Yahweh said to Moses, Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 27:13When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered; 27:14because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the waters before their eyes. (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.) 27:15Moses spoke to Yahweh, saying, 27:16Let Yahweh, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 27:17who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in; that the congregation of Yahweh not be as sheep which have no shepherd. 27:18Yahweh said to Moses, Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; 27:19and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 27:20You shall put of your honor on him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. 27:21He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Yahweh: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. 27:22Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 27:23and he laid his hands on him, and gave him a charge, as Yahweh spoke by Moses.
Yahweh's Congregation Is To OBEY Its Shepherd
It is evident that Moses was the shepherd of Yahweh's congregation, being their leader. A shepherd over Yahweh's congregation is the person Yahweh appoints to lead his people. His congregation must OBEY this shepherd and FOLLOW the leading of this shepherd.
Shepherds Of Yahweh's Congregation Should Lead Them According To Yahweh's Word
The shepherd should lead Yahweh's congregation according to Yahweh's word, and not his own opinion. He must consult Yahweh to ascertain Yahweh's will and act according to it as revealed to him. It is in this revealed will of Yahweh that he leads Yahweh's congregation.
Yahweh Is The Ultimate Shepherd Of His People
Therefore, ultimately, it is Yahweh who is the shepherd of his congregation, for it is he who leads his people wherever he desires to lead them to feed them. It is his word that they follow. The human leader he appoints over his congregation is simply his representative who acts according to his word.
Only Those Appointed By Yahweh Should Lead His Congregation
It should be noted that Yahweh's congregation should not be leaderless - without a shepherd Yahweh has appointed over them. Seeing that the appointment must be Yahweh's, seeing it is Yahweh's congregation, impostors should not seek to usurp this position.
Good Shepherds Risk Their Lives In Defending The Sheep
1 Samuel 17:31-37 reads,
17:31
When the words were heard which David spoke, they rehearsed them before Saul; and he sent for him. 17:32David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine. 17:33Saul said to David, You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 17:34David said to Saul, Your servant was keeping his father’s sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, 17:35I went out after him, and struck him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and struck him, and killed him. 17:36Your servant struck both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. 17:37David said, Yahweh who delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. Saul said to David, Go, and Yahweh shall be with you.
Yahweh Delivered David's Enemies Into The David's Hand
David, as a shepherd watching over his father's sheep, defended the sheep from the hands of predators such as lions and bears, even fighting with these predators and risking his own life in the process of so doing. Nevertheless, when he so fought for the sheep, he relied on Yahweh to deliver his enemies into his hand, and Yahweh duly did so.
Shepherds Should Rely On Yahweh When Battling Against Enemies
Therefore, learning from David, good shepherds should rely on Yahweh in their battles against the enemies of Yahweh's flock. By relying on Yahweh he will indeed deliver into the hands of his good shepherds these enemies of his flock.
The Shepherd Of Yahweh's People Is Its Prince Or King
2 Samuel 5:1-5 reads,
5:1
Then came all the tribes of Israel to David to Hebron, and spoke, saying, Behold, we are your bone and your flesh. 5:2In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel: and Yahweh said to you, You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel. 5:3So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before Yahweh: and they anointed David king over Israel. 5:4David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5:5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months; and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.The shepherd of Yahweh's people is the prince over his people, even the king over his people.
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