Much had to be feared in the dry ravines and ravines of Judah, which were among the most dangerous elements for sheep herds during their migration; however, the fear of sheep was dispelled by the recognition of two instruments carried by the shepherd, a stick and a stick. stick, with which he cared for his flock. The stick and stick can certainly be defined as protective and guidance tools, respectively. Staff have kept predators away; The stick was a guide tool with a hook at one end to hold a sheep around its chest. Only the two tools combined brought comfort to the sheep.
When David, the shepherd-turned-king, assumes the role of a sheep, his fears of all evil are overcome by seeing the true king shepherd of Israel. Does David compare God’s wise government over his flock?Your providence with the staff and staff, a vision that must soothe all fears and guarantee to the flock the certainty of the care of its faithful and competent shepherd.
- Members of the Westminster Assembly deliberately discussed God’s creative and providential works after addressing God’s decree.
- In these two ways?creation and providence? God exercises his eternal decree.
- God’s holy and wise providence is universal in one sense.
- But in another sense: “In a very special way.
- Does he take care of the Church and have everything for her?(CFW 5.
- 7).
- A special step?Could we call it pastoral providence?works for God’s flock.
- Which he bought with his own blood (Acts 20:28).
- The first question of the Heidelberg Catechism helps us see what this “special way” looks like: it also keeps me in such a way that without Heavenly Father’s will.
- My hair cannot fall out of my head; In fact.
- Do all things work together for my salvation?The blood of Christ not only assures us of our rescue from sin and the devil.
- But also assures us that we have been counted among the flock of the Good Shepherd.
- So that no calamity can occur without God’s permission.
- And even these.
Sheep need protection, but also advice; the orientation Christians need is eschatological (final, definitive); there are green pastures and calm waters across the valley of this life; David’s certainty that he would end up in the right place at the right time, having crossed the valley, led him to rest in the shepherd’s directional grace.
The prophet Zechariah describes the curses of God’s covenant as that of a shepherd who breaks his rod, pointing to the end of a previously ratified covenant (Zechariah 11. 10). The flock runs out of the shepherd with its rod. This is the state of Israel when Jesus began his ministry: “Jesus saw a great multitude and took pity on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mk 6:34). They lacked guidance in God’s truth, so they wandered aimlessly, exposed to various threats that would deceive them.
However, the Good Shepherd has come and has his rod. This rod means that he providentially leads us through the valley through his Word, his Spirit, and his “shepherds. ” First, we have the Word. We do not wander in the dark, but do we have the law as a lamp for our feet and a light for [our] path? (Ps 119. 105). Second, we have the Spirit. The Westminster Confession attributes this orientation to perseverance for the “abiding of the Spirit. ” And the seed of God in us? (17,2) Third, do we have them? Sub-pastors? Leaders of gods who are guides for our souls (He 13. 17; 1 P 2. 25) Does Jesus keep the Davidic covenant as a shepherd king in the line of David (Ed 34: 23-24), and is this one of the How does it through the elders of the church? Qualified men assigned to their role as “shepherds. “
Christians are pilgrim sheep who have not yet reached our eternal rest; Until then, when danger threatens, when temptation threatens, when difficulties and adversity are frequent, what will bring us comfort beyond our pastor’s staff and staff?fear paralyzes, we rely entirely on the providence of our Good Shepherd who will protect us and guide us through our migration to the eternal calm waters and green pastures (Ap 22. 1?2). Naturally, breeding equipment is only effective to the extent that the shepherd is competent and strong. Consider, then, whether David’s warning about his pastor’s cane and cane alleviates his fears, the shepherd who uses them must be of sublime strength. characterize the Good Shepherd of David and ours, whose perfect and holy providence will not allow a sheep to be plucked from his flock (Jn 10:28).