Today's story.........

Thought of a great title for a book this morning; “Of Shepherds and Sheep”. Of course it would be about pastors and those congregations of believers whom they lead, minister, protect, and nourish.

There are many stories in God’s word about Shepherds. These shepherds are a representation, if you will, of how God does all of the above for His people. The thought came to mind; “what if God had waited until now to write His story?” I wonder if He would have chosen a “manager” instead since today there are not too many shepherds around these parts. It does give us something to consider anyway. But back to the shepherd story…..


In the Bible, there are two examples of shepherds that come to mind; good shepherds and bad shepherds. The prophet Jeremiah talks to us from the pages of time about these shepherds. First in chapter 23:4 we find these words;

“I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.”

And then in Jeremiah 50:6 these words of warning are shared;

“My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain to hill And have forgotten their resting place.”

The difference between the two types of shepherds is easily seen. One loves the sheep and will do anything is seems to keep them safe. The other ones it appears must have some other intentions in mind. The most obvious reason for the discrepancy is found in the very beginning of these two passages of scripture. Did you notice it?


In the first passage, it is God Who calls the shepherd. In the other passage the shepherd is described as “their shepherd”.

So we see that there are two different types of shepherds; those called by God and those who are chosen by men.

Pretty easy to see how one can be so easily out of the will of God isn’t it?

Let us pray that we will continue to be given wisdom from the Holy Spirit to discern the difference and also pray that God will call unto Himself more who will heed His call to “Feed My Sheep”

Pastor Clay