THE SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP

As we study John 10 for our Bible Study lesson for Sunday, September 18, we will see many comparisons to Shepherds and sheep. In the Old Testament God is often pictured as the shepherd and the people as His flock. 
Please read the following verses:
Psalm 23:1; 77:20; 79:13; 80:1; 95:7; 100:3
Isaiah 40:11; Jeremiah 23:1-4

This picture is transferred over in the New Testament. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. 
Read the following verses:
Matthew 18:12; Luke 15:4; 12:32; Mark 14:27; Matthew 26:31; 
I Peter 2:25; Hebrews 13:20

Lets examine a picture of a shepherd and how he works. His equipment is very simple:
1. Scrip: this is a bag made of a skin of an animal, in which he carried his food. His usually consisted of bread, dried fruit, olives, and cheese.
2. Sling: The shepherd used his sling as a weapon of offense and defense. He also used the sling to call back wandering sheep. He fitted his sling with a stone and shot it in front of the nose of a sheep as a warning to turn back.
3. Staff: a wooden club. It was short; it had a lump of wood at the end often studded with nails. It had a slit in the handle at the top, through which a thong passed. The club hung on a shepherd's belt.
He used the club for a weapon to defend himself and his sheep.
4. Rod: this was like the shepherd's crook. He used it to pull back his sheep and to guide them. At the end of the day, the shepherd held his rod low to the ground and each sheep passed underneath it.
This allowed the shepherd to examine each sheep to see if it had any injuries or hurts. He could also count the sheep. 

In Israel the shepherd always leads his sheep. He went first to see that the path was safe and that there were no dangers. The shepherd has names for his sheep and they only followed his voice. The sheep would not follow a voice of a stranger. The shepherd uses a loud sing-song language that only his sheep understand. 

The shepherd is never off duty. He is in constant care of his sheep.

As we read and discuss John 10, you will discover every detail of the shepherd's life compares and enlightens us on the picture of the Good Shepherd whose sheep hear His voice, whose constant care is for His flock. 

Be sure to read Shepherd's Notes pages 52 -55 and answer the questions on page 55. Also read the material in Hobb's Book pages 171 - 174