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Introduction:
In
a previous lesson, we began to read Psalm
23 with new eyes, learning that the Psalm was far richer in
meaning to those acquainted with shepherding. Phillip Keller, a
man raised among shepherds in East Africa, and himself a shepherd
for several years, has helped our understanding in his book A
Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23. Allow me to repeat, as we
continue our look at this Psalm we will each be listening from
different needs. Some will be listening as the Lord’s sheep
being reassured of our shepherd and learning our responsibility as
sheep. Some will be listening as the neighbor’s sheep, longing
to enter this fold. Others will be seeing the model of shepherding
left for us by the Chief Shepherd as we strive to shepherd the
congregation or our own homes.
In this lesson, we will study Psalm
23:4-6. There are two interesting shifts in these verses.
First, the first three verses are addressed to us, as the sheep
extols the virtues of his great Shepherd. However, in vs.
4, David speaks to his Shepherd. This is intriguing, that a
sheep has an intimate enough relationship with his Shepherd to
address Him. Yet that is exactly the relationship we have with our
Shepherd. We can go to Him in prayer. We can lay our cares at His
feet. We can offer praise to Him. We can make requests of Him.
The second shift is one known by the shepherd. According to
Mr. Keller, “Both in Palestine and on our western sheep ranches
this division of the year is common practice. Most of the
efficient sheepmen endeavor to take their flocks onto distant
summer ranges during summer. This often entails long ‘drives.’
The sheep move along slowly, feeding as they go, gradually working
their way up the mountains behind the receding snow. By late
summer they are well up on the remote alpine meadows above
timberline.” It is
as if, in this Psalm we are being taken on a journey with the
sheep through the cycle of its year. Now, as the sheep is
following his shepherd through the mountain valleys to the tables
of pastureland, we see the “intimate conversation” they have
on their way, secluded from the sheep of other folds. Discussion: I.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me. A.
As already mentioned, this brings to the
shepherd’s mind the yearly journey up to the mountain pastures.
However, the sheep cannot be airlifted up to this higher ground.
They have to travel through the mountains’ valleys. These
valleys are the best ways because they have the easiest grades,
they contain the best water sources and the best grazing for the
journey. Going through these valleys is a must and the goal of the
mountain top pastureland is worthy, but the journey is dangerous. B.
Shepherds know why these valleys are a shadow of
death. Mr. Keller explains: All the dangers of rampaging rivers in flood; avalanches, rock slides; poisonous plants; the ravages of predators that raid the flock or the awesome storms of sleet and hail and snow were familiar to him. He had handled his sheep and managed them with care under all these adverse conditions. Nothing took him by surprise. He was fully prepared to safeguard his flock and tend them with skill under every circumstance. C.
While these dangers loomed on every hand, the
vigilant, watchful shepherd is on hand to protect the flock in
time of attack. To steer the flock away from poisonous plants. To
keep them together and protected in the shelter of cliffs in time
of storms. The sheep are not left to make this journey on their
own. Keeping their eye on the shepherd they are free from worry
and fear, knowing he will care for them. D.
Each of us, in our own way, is longing for the
“higher ground” with God. But, we also must go through the
valleys. We have to face the “dark and dangerous” days as
well. Consider all the great Bible characters. Before Moses was a
leader, he fled Egypt in fear, spending forty years herding sheep
for his father-in-law. Jacob fled from his brother and spent years
in the service of his father-in-law because of Laban’s deceit.
Joseph was sold into slavery and put in prison before he became
second-in-command of Egypt. David was constantly attacked by Saul
before he became king. Each of these made it to the higher ground,
but not without first going through the valley of the shadow of
death. E.
Finally, this verse speaks of walking through
the “valley of the shadow of death.” It does not speak of
dying. This Psalm is not about death. It is about comfort that,
despite what we face, God is there as our Shepherd to lead us
through the dark times and bring us onto the mountaintop (Hebrews
13:5-6). And our Shepherd knows the best path to take that
will give us the most strength. II.
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. A.
While traveling through the valleys, the sheep are
comforted by the shepherd’s rod and staff. These comprise the
greatest part of the shepherd’s equipment and are used for
several specific tasks. B.
That David found the rod of his Shepherd comforting
is striking. After all, the rod was the main source of discipline
from the shepherd. Mr. Keller describes the rod as a sapling
pulled from the ground and carved at one end to fit the hand of
the shepherd and at the other with a ball. Even as youngsters,
those in shepherd families carve their own rod and spend time
practicing with the rod using it as a striking and throwing
weapon. This rod is used for three basic purposes. 1.
Discipline: Mr. Keller says, “I could
never get over how often and with what accuracy, the African
herders would hurl their knob-kerries at some recalcitrant beast
that misbehaved. If the shepherd saw a sheep wandering away on its
own, or approaching poisonous weeds, or getting too close to
danger of one sort or another, the club would go whistling through
the air to send the wayward animal scurrying back to the bunch.” 2.
Protection: The rod is a weapon to ward
off attacks from wild beasts. In fact, when David tells Saul about
striking the bear and the lion in I
Samuel 17:34-35, it is very likely he struck them with his
rod. 3.
Inspection: Because of a sheep’s thick
wool, sometimes it is difficult to know its true physical state.
The rod is used to inspect the sheep, pushing, pulling and parting
the wool, so the shepherd can examine the skin and body. God uses
this imagery in Ezekiel 20:37. 4.
We can easily see why the rod of protection and
inspection brought comfort to David. But the rod of discipline is
another matter, especially in David’s life. We all know the form
of God’s rod in David’s life when he sinned with Bathsheba.
His child died and trouble plagued his family from then on. And
yet, this same David found this discipline a comfort. Why? Because
he, as a shepherd, understood the necessity of using the rod of
discipline. He understood its end. We as sheep need also to
understand the necessity of receiving discipline as described in Hebrews
12:7-11. C.
The staff is the equipment we are most familiar
with. It is the long slender walking stick with the hooked end.
While the shepherd would use this staff as a walking stick to lean
on, it was also a piece of equipment designed specifically for the
needs of shepherding. 1.
Drawing sheep together: When a ewe is lambing,
the shepherd will use his staff to lift up the newborns and place
them side by side with their mothers. The staff is used, because
if the mother smells the odor of the shepherd’s hands on her
lamb, she will reject it. The staff would also be used to draw
those sheep on the fringes back into close huddle with the rest of
the sheep. 2.
Drawing the sheep to the shepherd:
We spoke of the rod used for examination, the staff was likewise
used to reach out and catch individual sheep to draw them to the
master for examination. Mr. Keller, even claimed the staff was
used to demonstrate a special bond between particular sheep and
the shepherd. “Sometimes I have been fascinated to see how a
shepherd will actually hold his staff against the side of some
sheep that is a special pet or favorite, simply so that they
‘are in touch.’” 3.
Guiding the sheep: Mr. Keller wrote, “Again
and again I have seen a shepherd use his staff to guide his sheep
gently into a new path or through some gate or along dangerous,
difficult routes. He does not use it actually to beat the beast.
Rather, the tip of the long slender stick is laid gently against
the animal's side and the pressure applied guides the sheep in the
way the owner wants it to go.” 4.
Rescuing the sheep: Sheep are stubborn creatures
and often get themselves into dilemmas they can’t get themselves
out of. For instance, striving to get a few extra mouthfuls of
grass, sheep will push their way into brambles and bushes or even
slip down the edge of a cliff and be unable to get back up. The
shepherd’s staff helps him rescue the sheep from these
“traps.” D.
The rod and staff are comforting. We are comforted
by our shepherd’s rod and staff, representative, for the most
part of God’s word, which protects us from sin, steers us away
from danger, helps us overcome the tempter, draws us together and
closer to God and will rescue us from our own undoing if we will
study it regularly and obey what it says. That is why Paul
commends the Word of God in Acts
20:32. III.
Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence
of my enemies. A.
When I first read this verse, I pictured some type
of banqueting table laid out with all kinds of delicious goodies
while David’s enemies looked on in hunger, drooling for a tiny
morsel. However, that is not the image. The table spoken of is not
the kind of table we use, but rather refers to a land table, that
is, the tablelands on the mountains to which the sheep have been
journeying. Even on the higher ground the enemies stalk, but the
ever-present shepherd keeps his sheep safe. B.
Mr. Keller describes the shepherd’s work
regarding these tableland pastures. Early in the season, even before all the snow has been melted by spring sunshine, he will go ahead and make preliminary survey trips into this rough, wild country. He will look it over with great care, keeping ever in mind its best use for his flock during the coming season. Then just before the sheep arrive he will make another expedition or two to prepare the tableland for them. He takes along a supply of salt and minerals to be distributed over the range at strategic spots for the benefit of the sheep during the summer. The intelligent, careful manager will also decide well ahead of time where his camps will be located so the sheep have the best bed grounds. He goes over the range carefully to
determine how vigorous the grass and upland vegetation is. At this
time he decides whether some glades and basins can be used only
lightly whereas other slopes and meadows may be grazed more
heavily.He will check to see if there are poisonous weeds
appearing, and if so, he will plan his grazing program to avoid
them, or take drastic steps to eradicate them. … Another task the attentive shepherd takes on in the
summer is to keep an eye out for predators. He will look for signs
and spoor of wolves, coyotes, cougars and bears. If these raid or
molest the sheep he will have to hunt them down or go to great
pains to trap them so that his flock can rest in peace. Often what actually happens is that these crafty
ones are up on the rimrock watching every movement the sheep make,
hoping for a chance to make a swift, sneaking attack that will
stampede the sheep. Then one or other of the flock is bound to
fall easy prey to the attacker’s fierce teeth and claws. C.
David refers to this kind of shepherd’s work in
this part of the Psalm. Jesus has done this for us. He brings us
through the dangerous and trying valleys, keeping us comforted by
His presence and His discipline and guidance. He leads us to the
mountaintops even as our enemies look on. He remains ever vigilant
to protect us. Peter claimed our adversary, the devil, prowls like
a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). But Jesus has already prepared the way for us even in
the face of this roaring lion. On the night before Jesus’ death,
He told the apostles, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I
go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John
14:2-3). Jesus was not saying He was going to heaven to wash
the sheets and clean the drapes in heavenly mansions for the
twelve. Rather, He was discussing how His death and resurrection
would prepare the way for our resurrection and eternity with Him (I
Corinthians 15:20-23). D.
In addition to His own preparation, Jesus sent the
Holy Spirit to prepare the tablelands in the presence of our
enemy. John 16:7-15
describes the work of the Spirit through the apostles. Through
Him, all truth has been made manifest to us in the scriptures that
we may graze on the tablelands with our Shepherd even as the lion
prowls about. He cannot overpower us because the Good Shepherd is
with us. IV.
Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup
overflows. A.
In our first lesson, you will remember that I
mentioned the four requirements necessary for sheep to lie down in
green pastures. One of which was freedom from the aggravation of
pests. According to Mr. Keller, these summer months on the
tablelands are also “fly months.” Here is his description. To name just a few parasites
that trouble stock and make their lives a misery: there are warble
flies, bot flies, heel flies, nose (nasal) flies, deer flies,
black flies, mosquitos (sic),
gnats and other minute, winged parasites that proliferate at this
time of the year. … Sheep are especially troubled
by the nose fly, or nasal fly, as it is sometimes called. These
little flies buzz about the sheep’s head, attempting to deposit
their eggs on the damp, mucous membranes of the sheep’s nose. If
they are successful the eggs will hatch in a few days to form
small, slender, worm-like larvae. They work their way up the nasal
passages into the sheep’s head; they burrow into the flesh and
there set up an intense irritation accompanied by severe
inflammation. B.
As disgusting and irritating as it sounds, we might
be tempted to think this is a trivial issue in the face of cougars
and coyotes. However, Mr. Keller continues. For relief from this agonizing annoyance sheep will
deliberately beat their heads against trees, rocks, posts, or
brush. They will rub them in the soil and thrash around against
woody growth. In extreme cases of intense infestation a sheep may
even kill itself in a frenzied endeavor to gain respite from the
aggravation. Often advanced stages of infection from these flies
will lead to blindness. C.
The sheep cannot deal with these annoyances
themselves. In fact, according to Mr. Keller, if the sheep are
left to themselves to deal with these pests, they often end up
doing more harm to themselves, running around until they fall down
in utter exhaustion. The only solution is through the loving care
of the shepherd anointing his sheep with the oils and salves which
will repel these dangerous pests. “At the very first sign of
flies among the flock he will apply an antidote to their heads,”
Mr. Keller explains. This is not a once a year ritual, this is
something for which the shepherd must conscientiously watch
throughout these times, having a constant supply of the anointing
oil to help the sheep be free from these aggravations. D.
There is amazing parallel between these little
pests with the sheep and our own lives. Our adversary often
refrains from blatant attacks. He is more like an annoyance.
Instead of turning to the anointing cup of the Shepherd, we seek
in our own wisdom to overcome the distraction, the stress, the
emotional turmoil. We beat our heads against the trees and run in
circles until we are overcome with utter exhaustion and give up.
We desperately long for peace, but it eludes us. Our Shepherd has
provided the anointing oil for us in His word. He has provided the
peace for us, if we will only turn to Him. Was that not Jesus’
point in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:25-34? Was that not Paul’s point in Philippians 4:4-9? God has promised us peace from the pests of
stress, depression, emotional distress and mental anguish. Our cup
of anointing oil overflows, we simply must turn to the Word of
God. V.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me
all the days of my life. A.
Once again, we are astounded that David, a man
whose life was marked with adversity from his own king, from the
Philistines, from his own family and from his own sins, said this.
Yet, as he again addresses us, his fellow sheep, he claims
goodness and lovingkindness will follow him. Considering the last
half of this Psalm and what it meant to shepherds, the statement
is equally amazing. Here is a sheep who has been led by his
shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death. He has been
led on to a tableland right into the face of his enemies. He has
experienced the rod of his shepherd in discipline, yet he has the
wisdom to know that all of this was for his best interests. And he
expects that to continue for all his life. B.
Can we be sheep like this? Surely, it is easy to
feel goodness and lovingkindness will follow us right after we
have killed Goliath. But what about right after Absalom has stolen
the kingdom? Can we give thanks to our Shepherd for goodness and
lovingkindness in the difficult times? C.
To the shepherd, this statement has a double
meaning. It refers to the goodness and lovingkindness this sheep
expects from his shepherd. It also refers to the goodness and
lovingkindness that the sheep will leave in his wake because of
the work of the shepherd. Consider Mr. Keller’s description: Sheep can, under mismanagement, be the most
destructive livestock. In short order they can ruin and ravage
land almost beyond remedy. But in bold contrast they can … be
the most beneficial of all livestock if properly managed.
Their manure is the best balanced of any produced
by domestic stock. When scattered efficiently over the pastures it
proves of enormous benefit to the soil. The sheep’s habit of
seeking the highest rise of ground on which to rest insures that
the fertility from the rich low land is re-deposited on the less
productive higher ground. No other livestock will consume as wide
a variety of herbage. Sheep eat all sorts of weeds and other
undesirable plants which might otherwise invade a field. … In a
few years a flock of well-managed sheep will clean up and restore
a piece of ravaged land as no other creature can do. D.
When we, as sheep, allow ourselves to be blessed by
following the Good Shepherd, we in turn leave a wake of goodness
and lovingkindness. It is much like Jesus’ statement to Simon
the Pharisee in Luke 7:47.
The one who truly realizes the blessing of goodness, and
lovingkindness he has received will be the one who emanates the
most love to the one who bestowed that mercy and to others who
need mercy. E.
We must examine and question our own lives as Mr.
Keller advises, “Do I leave a trail of sadness or of gladness
behind? Is my memory, in other people’s minds, entwined with
mercy and goodness, or would they rather forget me altogether? Do
I deposit a blessing behind me or am I a bane to others? Is my
life a pleasure to people or a pain?” When the Lord is really
our Shepherd, we truly wear His mark and carefully follow His
lead, goodness and lovingkindness will follow us. VI.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. A.
David began this psalm with the proud proclamation,
“The Lord is my Shepherd.” He ends with the equally thrilling
statement, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
And why wouldn’t he remain? He would be foolish to seek the
shepherding of another master. B.
While this statement is a reflection on the ability
of the Shepherd, David’s statement also says a great deal about
the sheep. Despite the walks through the valley of the shadow of
death, despite pasturing under the menacing eyes of the enemy,
despite having endured the sting of the Shepherd’s rod, David
has no desire to leave the house, the flock, the fold of the Lord.
He wants to be a part of this family. C.
In view of this psalm, I am puzzled at the thought
of why anyone would ever want to leave the fold of God. Yet,
people do. Having come to a greater understanding of David’s
pastoral poem, I recognize it has a great deal to do with outlook.
How do the sheep perceive what goes on around them? Do they trust
the Shepherd’s judgment or are they wrapped up in their own
desires? Do the sheep find comfort in the rod and staff or do they
become angered by it? We, as the sheep, are the only ones who can
determine our outlook on these things. Let us boldly make this
psalm our own anthem of life in following Jesus. Let us proclaim,
“The Lord is my Shepherd … I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.” Conclusion: There are some who have listened as sheep in another fold. For some reason, you have stayed in the barren, burned up, disease and parasite infested grounds of another shepherd. The Good Shepherd has laid down his life for you and is holding open the door into His fold so He can make you lie down in green pasture, lead you beside quiet waters, restore your soul, guide you in paths of righteousness, comfort you in the valleys, prepare a table for you before your enemies, anoint your head with oil and follow you with goodness and mercy. Despite what you may think, you will not find that where you are now. Please, take this opportunity to be marked by the Good Shepherd and enter His house.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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