The objective of this lesson: to encourage dependence on God.
Verses from this Psalm are among the most recognized scriptures in the whole Bible. These verses are commonly used in distress, and frequently used in funerals.
People who are not Jews or Christians often recognize verses from Psalms 23 as being from the Bible.
This Psalm is not about death, but about God’s provision for those who follow Him. It is not about having in abundant excess, but about having the necessities to sustain life. The primary image used to communicate the message of the Psalm is a sheep following its shepherd in the wilderness. It is essential to grasp some basic background and context in order to accurately see the message of the Psalm.
Great care needs to be exercised NOT to allow our usage of this Psalm or some of its statements to determine the meaning of the Psalm or those statements. Because the Psalm is often associated with the suffering and mourning caused by death does not mean the Psalm is about death. The Psalm is about confidence in God to provide NEEDS (not wants).
The setting: The setting is likely in a wilderness area far away from people and cultivated fields. In that time, being a shepherd was a lonely task that commonly separated a person from civilization by demanding he lead his sheep to and in wilderness areas. The objective was to care for the sheep’s needs in a place where the sheep could do no harm to people’s fields. Then farmers (the majority of people) practiced what today is called “open range”—no fences! If sheep were to be guided away from cultivation, they had to be led into wilderness areas!
The setting was in their wilderness. Often going from one pasture to another pasture involved going through a narrow corridor with sheer cliffs on each side of the corridor. There were times the cliffs were so sheer and the corridor so narrow that sunlight would penetrate the passage way only when the sun was directly overhead. Thus it was a dim place that gave predators many places to hide and attack. Going to pastures in wilderness areas was often dangerous and difficult!
The relationship: The sheep totally depended on the shepherd for guidance and protection. They were helpless even to go where they needed to be in order to have food and water. They followed the shepherd; they were not herded. Sheep also were defenseless—the only protection they had from their enemies (predators) was the protection of the shepherd.
The shepherd received no aggressive help from the sheep! The shepherd has to provide all the care, all the guidance, and all the protection! If an uncooperative sheep wandered off alone, that sheep would make the shepherd’s life miserable! The greatest help a sheep could provide a shepherd was to be a cooperative follower.
In the Psalm, God was the shepherd, and the psalmist was the sheep. The psalmist would not be afraid of being destroyed by future needs because of his confidence in the Lord. The Lord would attend his needs and protect him from harm. Like a sheep, he would have more than enough to eat, and he could drink without fear. In fact, like a good sheep following a good shepherd, his “enough” would refresh his life as he followed the ways that blessed his life rather than leading him into danger.
Note that the sheep was focused on the needs of today, and the shepherd was focused on the needs of tomorrow. The position of the sheep and the shepherd were not interchangeable.
As the sheep, he could follow his shepherd along ways he would never enter. He did so without fear because of his confidence in the shepherd. Harm would not befall him! If he needed assurance, he looked at the shepherd’s rod and staff—the shepherd could both defend and help him! The shepherd would lead him to food in lush pastures. Those who would devour him could do nothing but observe from the distance as they watched from the rocks. The shepherd would examine him for wounds daily, and treat him when he needed it.
The defensive tools of the shepherd were the sheep’s comfort. The shepherd would not eliminate the predators, only protect from the predators. The good sheep cooperated with the shepherd. The behavior of the sheep determined how much the skills of the shepherd could benefit the sheep!
Because of the shepherd’s guidance, there always would be another pasture. Nothing could sever his relationship with this ideal shepherd—that relationship would continue for all of life! He would always live with the shepherd!
The future was secure because of the skills of the shepherd, not because of the proficiency of the sheep.
Several things should be noted.
These seven things are reminders that we are dependent on God. We are not even capable of recognizing danger when the danger is obvious to God. We do not even understand the importance of distinguishing between need and want!
Observations:
We do not wish to overextend the images of the Psalm. However, we want the complete benefits of understanding the ancient relationship between the sheep and the good shepherd.
The analogy of a sheep and a shepherd is fascinating. Stated simply, sheep are dumb. If ever there was a dependent domesticated animal, it is sheep. In ancient times, they were completely dependent on shepherds. God does not prize us because we are brilliant of thought and do wonderful things. God prizes us because we have an amazing ability to follow. When we refuse to follow God, we get ourselves into trouble. Only to ourselves are we brilliant and accomplished! It is amazing how stupid our brilliant accomplishments are to us later in life.
We do not wish to exaggerate our sense of self-sufficiency. The focus is on knowing our limitations. We are in serious trouble when we think we can do the work of the shepherd or think the shepherd is unnecessary.
For Thought and Discussion
1. Verses from this Psalm are among the most recognized what?
They are among the most recognized scriptures in the whole Bible.
2. The Psalm is about what? What is the primary image?
The Psalm is about God’s provision for those who follow Him. The primary image is that of sheep following its shepherd.
3. What is the setting? Why?
The setting is likely the wilderness area—pastures and water pools in the wilderness.
4. What was the relationship? Why?
The relationship is between the dependent sheep that follow and the skilled shepherd who protects and leads.
5. In the Psalm, who is the Shepherd, and who is the sheep?
In the Psalm, God is the shepherd, and the psalmist is the sheep.
6. Discuss the fact that the sheep follow the Shepherd through dangerous places without fear.
The discussion should include that the sheep was not afraid because the sheep trusted the shepherd to care for its needs. The shepherd knew what he was doing!
7. List the seven things to be noted.
a) The Psalm was about eliminating need, not satisfying greed.
b) Sheep fear water. Water was necessary for life, but also was dangerous.
c) The object of being a good sheep was to be a living witness to the effective goodness of the shepherd.
d) Following a good shepherd eliminated fear.
e) Fear was not destroyed because, “we can take care of ourselves,” but because we trust the shepherd.
f) The shepherd would take care of our wounds and our enemies.
g) Our future was found in our relationship with the shepherd.
8. List the seven observations.
a) Greed and the desire to measure ourselves by our ability to consume is not the mark of being a good follower of God.
b) The righteous person follows God to declare and demonstrate the worthiness of God, not to advance self.
c) Following God sometimes means we go to dangerous places.
d) Being as good follower of God does not eliminate enemies.
e) Comfort is not in the proficiency of self, but in the proficiency of God.
f) Safety is found by sustaining relationship with God.
g) There is more to be considered in successful living than what seems to be physically advantageous at the moment.
9. Why is the analogy of a sheep and shepherd fascinating?
Sheep are dumb and dependent. God prizes us because of our amazing ability to follow. We are brilliant and accomplished only to ourselves—only to live beyond our brilliant accomplishments!
Link to Student Guide Lesson 8
Copyright © 2010
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ