Even though I grew up on a farm, I learned nothing first-hand about sheep and shepherding, because everything on our farm was geared to cows and milk production. But my mother, raised in a mixed-farming district, had herded sheep. She confirmed what I have read: shepherding was a low-skill role readily served by a child.
In the Bible, the imagery occurs frequently because sheep and shepherds were so common. Mind you, while in some ways people may be compared to sheep and shepherds, human organizational dynamics have their own complexities. For example, sometimes it’s all too easy for followers to lay blame on their leaders when perhaps the blame should be owned by all.
Moreover, heeding the prophetic word, we must acknowledge that our plight may be God’s doing, for God’s anger can burn hot when we fail to listen to God and instead heed the clamour of idols.
So, hear the good news: if in judgment God takes away, then in mercy God gives beyond measure. God not only restores us; God raises us up to new life.
O God, send your Spirit with the gifts that we need for life together and for faithful service to the world that you continue to embrace through Jesus Christ. Amen. —