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| Modern-day shepherd in Israel/Photo: Wikipedia Commons |
In God’s Christmas plan, the heavenly host announced the birth
of Jesus to lowly shepherds. Stunned by what they saw, the shepherds left their fields and went to worship the Baby Jesus. In their obedience, they fulfilled yet another prophecy
that predicted the setting of Christ’s birth:
Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him... (Psalm 72:9).
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| Photo: karenswhimsy.com |
Shepherding was an essential occupation within the economy of Israel. Over the centuries, nomadic shepherds included men and women, the wealthy and the poor.
God often used the shepherd-and-sheep analogy to illustrate truths about Himself and His dealing with human beings. In Psalm 78, God compared His care of Israel to shepherding: “He made His own people go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear” (Psalm 78:52-53).
King David, from whom God promised that the Seed would descend, was a shepherd pulled from sheepfolds “to shepherd Jacob His people.” What’s interesting is that the sceptre also is connected to the shepherd’s rod, which David wrote about in Psalm 23:4, for example. David wrote of God: “Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.”
God often used the shepherd-and-sheep analogy to illustrate truths about Himself and His dealing with human beings. In Psalm 78, God compared His care of Israel to shepherding: “He made His own people go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; and He led them on safely, so that they did not fear” (Psalm 78:52-53).
King David, from whom God promised that the Seed would descend, was a shepherd pulled from sheepfolds “to shepherd Jacob His people.” What’s interesting is that the sceptre also is connected to the shepherd’s rod, which David wrote about in Psalm 23:4, for example. David wrote of God: “Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.”
Moreover, the fields where the angels appeared to the shepherds were possibly those once owned by Boaz and Ruth, the great grandparents of David.
In Jesus’ day, however, according to www.jesuswalk.com, the reputations of some shepherds had soured public opinion. Dr. Ralph F. Wilson of JesusWalk wrote:
It seems, shepherds -- specifically, hireling shepherds -- had a rather unsavory reputation. Jeremias cites Rabbinic sources to the effect that “most of the time they were dishonest and thieving; they led their herds onto other people’ s land and pilfered the produce of the land.” Because they were often months at a time without supervision, they were often accused of stealing some of the increase of the flock.
This information adds another dimension to the Christmas story. God in His foreknowledge knew that some shepherds
would have a tainted profile at the time of Jesus’ birth. Apparently, He didn’t think it “more spiritual” to leave shepherds out of the story --- just in case some of them were “hirelings” with questionable character. The Scripture doesn’t say whether or not the shepherds near Bethlehem were trustworthy before the heavenly announcement. But the Bible does say they went to worship Him after they got the news.
In His earthly ministry, Jesus called Himself the “Good Shepherd,” which contrasts with the “hirelings” who didn’t really care for the sheep. Jesus’ wants us to know that His heart is like the faithful shepherds of ancient times who fed their flocks, who searched for lost sheep, who soothed their wounds with oil, who protected them from wild animals and robbers, and who never abandoned them. In other words, the shepherds of Bethlehem remind us of how the Good Shepherd would love the world!
Think of the generations of shepherds who retold the Christmas story on late, starry nights. Young shepherds, hearing the story for the first time, probably shook their heads in wonder and mused about that night that still stirs us today:
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:-8-14)
Next: A star would announce Jesus’ birth, and He would
receive gifts
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