Friday, August 18, 2017

Jehovah Rohi My Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd… Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
– Psalm 23:1, 4b

The Shepherd’s staff had two purposes. Firstly, it was used as a weapon of protection against predators. In Israel, there are narrow passageways for the sheep to go through to find pasture. At the end of those narrow passages, predators waited to snatch the sheep as they came out the other side. So the shepherd passed through the passageway first, and with his rod and staff, he drove the animals away, so the sheep could safely follow him into the pasture. Secondly, the crook was used to comfort and give security to the sheep. With it, the shepherd gently nudged wandering sheep back into place whenever they would stray away from the security of the sheepfold. The shepherd knew there were wild beasts waiting to kill any sheep that became lost and alone. In much the same way, Jesus, as our Shepherd, went before us and drove back every enemy waiting to seize us. Do not fear, for Jehovah Rohi has preceded you into the future and prepared the way for you. I trust Jehovah Rohi for comfort and protection every day.

Further Reading

• Esther 1:1-3:15
• 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
• Psalm 35:17-28
• Proverbs 21:19-20