The Shepherd
In ancient Jewish society, shepherds who cared for sheep or goats were important. Shepherding was essential in the ancient Near East. Each morning, the shepherd led the flock out (John 10:2–4). He found grass and water and protected them from wild animals (Amos 3:12). He searched for and returned any of the flock that wandered off (Ezekiel 34:8; Matthew 18:12). He returned the flock to the pen every evening.
The word shepherd became a common term for a ruler. People often referred to the kings of Assyria, Babylon, and Egypt as shepherds because they protected their people. This metaphor is also common in the Old Testament (Numbers 27:17; 1 Kings 22:17; Jeremiah 10:21; 23:1–2; Ezekiel 34:1–10).
The Old Testament regards God as the "Shepherd of Israel," caring for every part of his people's well-being (Genesis 49:24; Psalms 23:1; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11). God himself would take care of his flock (Jeremiah 23:3; 31:10; Ezekiel 34:11–22). He promised to provide faithful leaders who cared for his people (Jeremiah 3:15; 23:4).
When Israel's early leaders were unfaithful, God took action and chose his servant David as a faithful leader. He later promised to establish David's descendants as leaders over Israel (see Ezekiel 34:23–24). By the time of the prophet Jeremiah, shepherd began to refer to the coming Messiah (God's chosen one).
In the New Testament, Jesus called himself "the Shepherd" (Matthew 25:31–33; Mark 14:27; John 10:1–30). He is the "Good Shepherd" who sacrifices his life for the sheep (John 10:11–18; see also Hebrews 13:20).
The church leaders are also known as shepherds (Ephesians 4:11, translated as “pastors”). God gives them to the church to care for his people like a shepherd cares for sheep, guiding and teaching them in God's ways. They must remain faithful shepherds until Jesus Christ, "the Chief Shepherd," comes to lead his people directly (1 Peter 5:1–4).
Passages for Further Study
Genesis 29:1–10; Numbers 27:16–18; 2 Samuel 7:7; 1 Kings 22:17; 1 Chronicles 11:2; Psalms 23:1–6; 77:20; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; 44:28; 56:10–11; Jeremiah 10:21; 25:34–36; Ezekiel 34:1–31; Micah 7:14; Zechariah 10:2b–3; 11:4–17; 13:7; Matthew 2:6; 18:12–14; 26:31; John 10:1–16; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:1–4; Jude 1:12; Revelation 7:17
Passages
Genesis 29:1–10 Genesis 49:24 Numbers 27:16–18 Numbers 27:17 2 Samuel 7:7 1 Kings 22:17 1 Chronicles 11:2 Psalm 23:1 Psalm 23:1–6 Psalm 77:20 Psalm 80:1 Isaiah 40:11 Isaiah 44:28 Isaiah 56:10–11 Jeremiah 3:15 Jeremiah 10:21 Jeremiah 23:1–2 Jeremiah 23:3 Jeremiah 23:4 Jeremiah 25:34–36 Jeremiah 31:10 Ezekiel 34:1–10 Ezekiel 34:1–31 Ezekiel 34:8 Ezekiel 34:11–22 Ezekiel 34:23–24 Amos 3:12 Micah 7:14 Zechariah 10:2–3 Zechariah 11:4–17 Zechariah 13:7 Matthew 2:6 Matthew 18:12 Matthew 18:12–14 Matthew 25:31–33 Matthew 26:31 Mark 14:27 John 10:1–16 John 10:1–30 John 10:2–4 John 10:11–18 Ephesians 4:11 Hebrews 13:20 1 Peter 2:25 1 Peter 5:1–4 Jude 1:12 Revelation 7:17