Pastor as Shepherd

Bibliotheca Sacra / April-June 2006 carries an article entitled "The Imagery of Shepherding in the Bible, Part 2." In that article, Thomas Golding sums up the role of a shepherd by looking at specific verbs used of shepherding in the Old Testament. Obviously, the image of a shepherd recorded in Scripture is referring to shepherding in Palestine, not in some other country where things might be done differently.

Shepherds were responsible for the physical survival and welfare of their master's flocks. That is a good reminder to us as spiritual shepherds of our responsibility to the Chief Shepherd for how we oversee His flock. I found it fascinating to think through the spiritual applications of each of the functions listed. Golding writes that "several essential shepherding functions." These include "guiding, feeding and watering, protecting and delivering, gathering and returning the scattered or lost, bringing healing, providing security and rest, and culling and promoting productivity." (p. 173).

Golding then goes on to describe the qualities of a good shepherd which involve things that the sheep lack. These include:

Guidance: this is one of the shepherd's main responsibilities.

Feeding and watering: Golding writes that shepherds never "wander," they have a plan as to where they are going. The shepherd knows where the "essentials of life can be found, whereas the flock does not."

Protection: the flock is inherently vulnerable to predators and so protection is another of the key roles of the shepherd. The ideal shepherd is "wise but also strong and brave."

Concern: the shepherd might be wise and strong and brave, but it is mostly valueless if he does not demonstrate concern for the flock. The concept of seeking the lost and gathering the scattered is reflected in this role. Golding writes that the "fact that the shepherd counts the sheep by making them 'pass under the rod' indicates his concern for individual sheep that might be missing." (p. 174).

Care: wounded and sick sheep require special care. The good shepherd will bind up and heal those who need it. Tenderness is also depicted in lifting up the small or weak lamb and carrying it. He demonstrates compassion by giving rest to the animals and causing them to lie down in green (lush) pastures.

Purging: sometimes it was necessary for the shepherd to purge animals from the flock in order to maintain a healthy flock. Ezekiel 20:38 (cf. 34:16b-22) suggests this kind of purging. (This is a thought provoking role of the shepherd in overseeing the health of the flock!)

"One of the main goals," writes Golding, "was to see the flock grow in size under his care."