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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 3
A shepherd’s life was one of diligence. He was obliged to watch
his flocks day and night. Wild beasts were common, and often bold,
and would do great injury to flocks of sheep and cattle that were not
guarded by a faithful shepherd. Although Jacob had a number of
servants to aid him in tending the flocks owned by himself and Laban,
yet the responsibility of the whole matter rested upon him. And in
some seasons of the year he was obliged to be with the flocks himself,
day and night, to protect them in the driest season of the year, that they
should not perish with thirst; and in the coldest part of the season, to
save them from becoming chilled with the heavy night frosts. Their
flocks were also in danger of being stolen by unprincipled shepherds,
who wished to enrich themselves by stealing their neighbor’s cattle.
A shepherd’s life was one of constant care. He was not qualified
for a shepherd unless he was merciful, and possessed courage and
perseverance. Jacob was chief shepherd, and had shepherds under him
who were termed servants. The chief shepherd called these servants,
to whom he intrusted the care of the flock, to a strict account if they
were not found in a flourishing condition. If there were any of the
cattle missing, the chief shepherd suffered the loss.
The relation of Christ to his people is compared to a shepherd.
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He saw, after the fall, his sheep in a pitiable condition, exposed to
sure destruction. He left the honors and glory of his Father’s house to
become a shepherd, to save the miserable, wandering sheep who were
ready to perish. His winning voice was heard calling them to his fold,
a safe and sure retreat from the hand of robbers; also a shelter from
the scorching heat, and a protection from the chilling blasts. His care
was continually exercised for the good of his sheep. He strengthened
the weak, nourished the suffering, and gathered the lambs of the flock
in his arms, and carried them in his bosom. His sheep love him. He
goeth before his sheep, and they hear his voice, and follow him. “And
a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know
not the voice of strangers.” Christ says, “I am the good Shepherd. The
good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling,
and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf
coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them,
and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling,
and careth not for the sheep. I am the good Shepherd, and know my
sheep, and am known of mine.”