Is it baaaaad?

I have been learning about sheep.

God's people are "the sheep of his pasture" (Psalm 79:13; Psalm 95:7; Psalm 100:3). (Biblos, 2004-2013)

Appetite is a strong indicator of health. Healthy sheep display normal eating and cud-chewing behavior. They will chew their cuds for several hours each day. Healthy sheep are eager to eat. They are almost always hungry. Sheep bleat in anticipation of being fed and will rapidly approach the feeding area. Lack of appetite is probably the most common symptom exhibited by a sick sheep. (Schoenian, 2011) Sheep are ruminants. They have a four-chambered stomach, using the first chamber to store quickly ingested food (cud) which they then bring back into their mouths to chew again before fully digesting it. Sheep spend about a third of their life ruminating and need peace and quiet. (Embar, 2004-2007)

Our appetite for God’s Word is a pretty good indicator of our health.  Do we take in the Word quickly and store it, then bring it back into our minds to “chew” again before digesting and applying it? Are we seeking out that peace and quiet several hours, or even several minutes, each day to ruminate? Are we eager to eat, always hungry? (Matthew 5:6) Do we bleat in anticipation when the shepherd feeds us, flocking eagerly to the feeding area? OR… do we display the signs of a sick sheep: lack of appetite?

In a grazing situation, [sheep] need to see other sheep. Ensuring that sheep always have visual contact with other sheep will prevent excess stress.  (Schoenian, 2011) Sheep are social animals, but the most important reason they like to flock together is for protection. Sheep are timid, nervous and easily frightened animals and for the most part defenseless against predators like coyotes and wild dogs. Their only means of survival is to flock together in large numbers and to run away from predators. (Embar, 2004-2007) Sheep are reluctant to graze areas that have natural predator cover. (Canadian Sheep Federation, 2002) Jesus says to His disciples, "I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves" (Matthew 10:16; Luke 10:3). (Biblos, 2004-2013)

Did you see it? Look closer.

We know that we are sent out into a world full of wolves – some obvious, some masquerading in sheep’s clothing. We are reluctant to graze in areas where we know, or suspect, there are predators. We are timid, nervous and frightened because we feel defenseless. We don’t want to read our Bible in a public place or pray over a meal or talk to a neighbor. We don’t want to face the atheist, the Jehovah’s Witness, the drunk. We are not able to discern the scurrilous shepherd, the false prophet. We allow the wolves to devour us from within the flock.

[Sheep] have a strong flocking instinct and maintain social spacing and orientation in pens as well as in pasture. Isolation of individual sheep usually brings about signs of anxiety and may cause the sheep to try to escape. (Canadian Sheep Federation, 2002) A sheep or lamb that is isolated from the rest of the flock is likely showing early signs of illness (unless it is lost). Even the last sheep through the gate should be suspected of not feeling well, especially if it is usually one of the first. (Schoenian, 2011)

We look around, and see other sheep. We flock together, for protection and for social connection. We become more comfortable when we are with those who are like us – there is strength in numbers. It is harder to pick a sheep out of the flock than to devour the stray. But, when we are separated from the flock, we experience anxiety. We feel alone, defenseless… lost.

In sinning they become like lost sheep (Isaiah 53:6 Jeremiah 50:6 Ezekiel 34:6 Luke 15:3). (Biblos, 2004-2013) 

We isolate ourselves. Through curiosity or rebellion, we wander away from the flock. We cross boundaries, and try to hide ourselves from the watchful eye of the shepherd. We think we know best, never realizing we are forfeiting the very protection we so desperately seek and questioning the provision of the shepherd. We eat something we shouldn't (worldly wisdom), we get bit by gnats carrying disease (false teaching), we end up on our backs. We need the shepherd to come rescue us.

We put the safety of the entire flock, and the shepherd, in danger as he leaves the flock behind to come to us. We cry out as he breaks our legs and bleat in protest as he lays us across his shoulders.

But he is restoring us to the flock and helping us to heal. He is teaching us about trust and reminding us who he is. He is sending a message to the other sheep about second chances at life and about his care. He is laying his life down for the safety and health of the flock. 

The people without leaders are likened to sheep without a shepherd (Numbers 27:17 1 Kings 22:17 2 Chronicles 18:16 Ezekiel 34:5). Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me.... and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14f).  (Biblos, 2004-2013)

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are. We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way; Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray. (Thrupp, 1836)

We’ve probably all sung that hymn at some point. We seek the pleasant pastures and tender care of the Good Shepherd; we cherish His friendship with us. We ask Him to defend us against sin, and to seek us when we stray.  But do we desire His leading and guidance? Are we asking Him to prepare us for HIS use? Are we heeding the under-shepherd appointed to care for our little flock? Are we pressing into one another for protection, or are we butting heads to establish our superiority in the flock?

Bibliography

Biblos. (2004-2013). Bible Enclyclopedia - Search: Sheep. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible: http://bibleencyclopedia.com/search--sheep

Canadian Sheep Federation. (2002). Virtual Tool Box: Grazing. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from CSF-FSM (Canadian Sheep Federation): http://www.cansheep.ca/User/Docs/VTBox/Grazing%20Section%206.pdf

Embar, W. (2004-2007). Animal Facts - Sheep. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from Vegan Peace: http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_facts/Sheep.htm

Schoenian, S. (2011, June 18). Sheep 201: Behavior. Retrieved November 1, 2013, from Sheep 201: Behavior: http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html

Thrupp, D. A. (1836). Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.