It is written, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)
What does it mean to be a Sheep?
9 Shocking Reasons Why God Compares Us to Sheep In the Bible.
Do you ever wonder why God compares us to sheep in the Bible? Is it that we are cute and cuddly like them, or is there more to the comparison? There has to be a reason why Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepard and us, as His sheep.
The Sheep of His pasture
After much research, I found out why we are like sheep in the Bible. Some of these reasons are funny and heartwarming. And some are just downright shocking that we are so alike.
In fact, it may make you think twice about your life. Read this, and you will see what I mean.
Table of Contents
- What Did Jesus Say About Sheep?
- Why We Are Compared to Sheep in the Bible
You may wonder what is the character of sheep and why God chose to use sheep and goats as symbols for how we act. These nine characteristics of sheep in the Bible are so close to our lives it’s uncanny.
1. Sheep have no sense of direction.
Many people say sheep are stupid. Let’s just say they have no sense of direction–at all. In fact, they will follow whoever is leading them. Even if it leads them off a cliff. Remember the question, “If your friend jumps off a cliff, would you do it too?” Well, they actually would…
This is a real news story I found online. In Eastern Turkey, about 1500 unattended sheep fell off a cliff while the shepherds were eating breakfast far away from the flock.
The first 400 fell to their death in a ravine, but the remaining 1100 were saved because the first 400 broke the fall. The first 400 sheep were a big, fluffy cushion for the other sheep. It sounds like a good commercial for toilet paper, huh?
Apparently, this is what happened: The sheep in the back couldn’t see past the sheep in front, so they were unaware of what was ahead. The sheep in front couldn’t stop because the sheep in the back were pushing them forward.
Kinda remind you of your teen years? The proverbial blind leading the blind.
I read another funny story about sheep:
One farmer said that if you have a bunch of sheep in a barn, stretch a rope across the door before you let them out.
When the sheep come out of the barn, the first few will jump over the rope. If you cut the rope, the remaining sheep will still jump over the “invisible rope” because it’s what the rest of the flock did.
I’m trying not to laugh. I mean, that is pretty stupid.
But, oh my goodness, I can see why God compares us to sheep.
How many times do we follow someone who is leading us in the wrong direction or acts foolishly?
We see our friends fall off the cliff, and we go right along with them into the ravine.
Or we imitate them because we think it is cool when they are really just doing something stupid.
And now, we are doing it too…I can think of a few weird hairstyles in that category.
Can you see why God compares us to sheep in the Bible?
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).
2. Sheep are defenseless.
Sheep can not defend themselves very well.
Ever seen sheep growl or show their teeth? Or maybe bark, bite, run fast, shoot quills, or pull out their claws? Perhaps they could spray you with their…uh, fur.
They do have two things in their arsenal:
- When sheep are frightened by noise, such as running water, they will run away together (hopefully in the right direction). They have some kind of protection as a whole group whereas, individually, they are defenseless.
- Sheep kick. An ewe is especially prone to kicking if she is protecting her young.
Other than these two defense mechanisms, sheep are a Snicker’s bar just waiting to be eaten by a wolf, if they don’t stick together.
We are much the same way. We can kick a little and run but, mostly, we are defenseless. God compares us to sheep in the Bible because we need His protection. We need to stick together as fellow Christians.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36 ESV).
3. Sheep can’t get up without help
Again, trying not to laugh … Sometimes sheep will turn over on their back (like a cockroach or turtle) with their legs in the air flailing.
There is an old English shepherd’s term for this. It is called “cast down.”
A “cast” sheep is actually a pitiful sight. If the shepherd does not lift up the sheep and put it back on its feet, it will die. It is completely helpless to the prey around it when in this position. Furthermore, it could get left behind when the flock moves on.
How many times have we been “cast down” or flailing on our backs?
I can think of a few times when I would have been in serious trouble without intervention from the Good Shepherd.
Thank goodness He loves us enough to help us get right-sided. I know God compares us to sheep in the Bible for good reason. We are a mess without Him.
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young” (Isaiah 40:11 ESV).
4. Sheep are emotional and recognize the Shepherd’s voice.
This is where stupidity ends for sheep. They have a remarkable instinct for knowing the voice of their shepherd.
Because they are emotional animals, they can detect strangers. Amazingly, they will fear a stranger’s voice and flee.
Since they are emotional, they also have the ability to build friendships with other sheep and stick up for each other when in a fight. They can also get anxious or distressed. And they feel sad when their sheep friends are gone (dead).
We can learn a lot from these animals.
What they lack in direction, they make up for in loyalty, friendship, and voice recognition for the shepherd.
I think there is a breakdown here when God compares us to sheep in the Bible. We aren’t so loyal, we don’t stick up for friends always, and we struggle to recognize the Shepherd’s voice.
Perhaps we don’t know His voice because we aren’t communing with Him all day and all night like sheep do with their shepherd. However, we do have the ability to hear the Shepherd’s voice if we will stop and listen. But that is hard for some sheep (us), I think.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
5. Sheep are not meant to carry burdens.
You will never see sheep carrying a pack on their back. Other animals are good for carrying things, but not sheep. They were not meant to carry a heavy load. In fact, they would be crushed under such a weighty burden.
This is why God compares us to sheep in the Bible.
We were not meant to carry our burdens. In fact, we are to give Him our heavy load so He can carry it for us.
“ Cast your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you ” (Psalm 55:22).
6. Sheep will settle for less.
When sheep are thirsty, they will stop at a dirty puddle right in front of them instead of going for the clean, still waters twenty feet ahead of them.
Sadly, they are content with filth, so long as it satisfies at the moment. Furthermore, they will stink and never even know it. Truthfully, they lack discernment and judgment and, frankly, don’t know what is good for them.
I find we are not much different.
Many times we see a dirty puddle (sin) in front of us and go straight for it because we think that is all there is in life. We think we are satiated when, in reality, we are poisoned and stink.
Perhaps it (sin) even looks enticing at the time because, after all, it is “water.” Many times we KNOW it will harm us, yet we still do it because we are stubborn, blinded from the truth, or simply lack judgment.
God compares us to sheep in the Bible because we don’t always know what is good for us.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I want for nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters (Psalms 23:1-2).
7. Sheep are valuable.
Sheep were treated as a prized possession in Jesus’ day. You were counted a wealthy man if you owned large flocks because they provided meat, milk, and wool. And they produced offspring.
Shepherds made many sacrifices to make sure their flocks were protected. They knew it was their livelihood at stake.
How much more precious are we than smelly sheep?
Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us because He loved us so much. He died on a cross so we would live with Him forever.
God compares us to sheep in the Bible because He views us as priceless.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he shouted, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
8. Sheep can not care for themselves when wounded.
When sheep get a wound or a bite, they can’t care for themselves. Other animals lick a wound until it heals, but not sheep. They need a shepherd to tend to their injuries.
Many times there would be a salve that needed to be put on their leg and possibly binding of the wounds. A good shepherd would look after the wound constantly until it was healed completely.
Oh, how He wants to look after our wounds and treat it with salve and bind it up. Often we are brokenhearted and need His healing, but we won’t let Him touch us. This is why God compares us to sheep in the Bible.
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalms 147:3).
9. Sheep are innocent.
In the Bible, sheep represent purity and innocence. It was the lamb that was sacrificed at Passover because it represented the Lamb of God–flawless, pure, and holy. It wasn’t a goat or any other animal.
Interestingly, goats are known for being independent, opinionated, and curious at best—or vulgar, dangerous, and destructive at worst. If you know anything about Satanism, you know they use a goat for their symbol as it is the opposite of a lamb.
We are to be innocent as lambs. Pure and righteous. Not goats who are independent, strong-willed, and destructive.
And He’ll “separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” (Matthew 25:32).
What Did Jesus Say About Sheep?
Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them…I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:11-15 ESV).
Just like sheep, we have no direction without Him, we lack protection on every side, and we were never meant to carry a heavy load. We can not make it alone without Him.
On the other hand, I find it heartwarming that as senseless as sheep are, God made them valuable. You would never think they had any redeeming qualities because they are such wanderers. But they do. In fact, they are a symbol of great blessing and prosperity.
Oh, that we would take a lesson from sheep and run to the Good Shepherd who will lead us to the spring of living waters and take care of us forever. Furthermore, that we would truly know our value as one who is priceless to the Shepherd.
“For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17).
3 Practical Lessons In Growing Up!
In The Company Of Wise Men.
Walking With Job.
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and [a]shunned evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.
“He That Walketh With Wise Men Shall Be Wise…” (Proverbs 13:20).
2. Walking With Dr. Mike Murdock.
Wisdom is the ability to discern the difference in people, moments and environment.
Mentorship I Wisdom Without The Pain.
Your Ignorance Is the Most Effective Weapon satan Possesses.
Obedience Is The Only Proof Of Your Faith In God.
Obedience Is The Seed For Divine Favor.
Every Act Of Obedience, Increases The Anointing On Your Life,…The Anointing Destroys The Yokes.
The Seasons Of Your Life Will Change Every Time You Use Your Faith.
Reject Pictures of Doubt and Unbelief.
What You Hear Affects What You say To others.
You Will Experience The Greatest Faith Pictures Of Your Life, When You Spend Time In The Secret Place.
3. Walking with Solomon.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.
4. Behold! A Greater Than Solomon Is Here… Jesus …
Here are 13 Wisdom-Keys…My Son.
“My Son Hear The Instructions of Thy Father And Forsake Not The Law of Thy Mother. “(Proverbs 1:8).
- My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. (1:10).
- My son, walk not thou in the way with sinners, refrain thy foot from their path. (1:15).
- My son, … receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee. (2:1).
- My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. (3:1).
- My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction. (3:11).
- My son, let them not depart from thy eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion. (3:21)
- My son, hear and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. (4:10).
- My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (4:20).
- My son, attend unto my wisdom and bow thine ear to my understanding. (5:1).
- My son, why will thou be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? (5:20)
- My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou has stricken thy hand with a stranger thou art snared with the words of thy mouth…. (6:1).
- My son, keep thy father’s commandments and forsake not the law of thy mother. (6:20).
- My son, keep my words and lay up my commandments with thee. (7:1).
“Wisdom Is The Principal Thing… (Proverbs 4:7).
“Small Keys Open Great Doors). (Dr. Mike Murdock)
Hear The Word and Do It.
Of all the instructions given in the Bible, here are two basics that we can begin to practice in 2021.
- Read Your Bible.
This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then shalt thou have good success. (Joshua 1:8).
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:1,2).
Bible (KJV) opened to the Gospel of Matthew, with clipping path
2. Pray Every Day :
Men ought to always to pray and not faint. (Luke 18:1).
Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Praying Always. (Ephesians 6:18).
Photo by Gabby K on Pexels.com
Thank you for taking the time to read the article and also leaving a comment. I made some clarifications–hope this…
Could you please explain in everyday language what this really means?
Thank God Our obedience opens the door to Wisdom…
Praise the Lord … Although it was a little challenging to maneuver within the website (no menu), if you want…
Thank you for the reminder that God does not delight in casual relationships.
Thank you for taking the time to read the article and also leaving a comment. I made some clarifications–hope this…
Could you please explain in everyday language what this really means?
Thank God Our obedience opens the door to Wisdom…
Praise the Lord … Although it was a little challenging to maneuver within the website (no menu), if you want…
The post Hear The Word and Do It. appeared first on THE WISDOM CENTRE-TNJ.
12 Reasons Why Obedience Is Important.
The central theme throughout the entire sixty-six books of the Bible is obedience to God.
In the beginning God gave Adam and Eve, a simple command. “Of every tree in the garden thou mayest freely eat, but, of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Very simple instructions, “Eat– Don’t Eat.” Adam and Eve choose to disobey.
Yes, Sin is a choice.
The choices we make determines the consequences we face–either life or death.
The wages for sin is still the same today–death.
However, the definition of obedience is simply–do as you are told.
God is not a man He cannot lie. Therefore whenever he speaks obedience is the only expected response.
Here are twelve reasons why we should obey–“The Voice of God.”
1. God cannot and will not lie. (Numbers 23:19). (Hebrews 6:18).
2. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
3. “Behold! To obey is better than to sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15:22).
4. All these blessings shall come upon thee and overtake thee if thou shalt harken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
5. Obedience is an Act of worship. “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1).
6. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.” (John 14:15).
7. Obedience is the only proof of your faith in God. (Dr. Mike Murdock).
8. Jesus became perfect through suffering to be identified with us.; we become perfect when we obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8).
9. By one man’s disobedience sin came into the world, so to, by one man’s obedience many are made righteous. (Romans 5:19).
10. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Samuel 15:23).
11. Obedience is not in our DNA. It must be learned, precept upon precept. “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. (1 Peter 4:1).
12. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… He made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant, and being found in fashion as a man; he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2: 5-8).
Learning obedience is as simple as –one step at a time –each step builds confidence for the next. The just shall live by faith.
The Virtues of Mercy & Truth.
Let not Mercy and Truth forsake thee:
Bind them about thy neck.
Write them upon the table of thine heart.
So shall thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3,4).
Be careful to always be truthful, showing mercy in every situation or circumstance. All our actions should be influenced by Mercy and Truth, not as one in bondage but willingly out of a loving heart. To show mercy and to walk in truth are characteristics of Christ-likeness.
As we practice these virtues, the Bible say’s we will find favor and good understanding from God, and man.
Following His Example: When Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, He also increased in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52).
Jesus said in His sermon on the mount, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7).
U R #1 In leadership.
Right or Wrong You Lead By Your Example.
We’re all leaders in our respective places of influence, as mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cooks, janitors, Lawyers, Doctors, Pastors, Members, Christian or not. Everything we do and say exemplifies our character.
A true leader is one who knows the right way, and shows it by example.
Leadership is not just for those at the top, but everyone must be empowered to lead in whatever we do or say.
Therefore always do what’s right. Lead by example.
You’re never wrong doing what’s right, and you’re never right doing what’s wrong.
Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers–In Word, In Conversation, In Charity, In Spirit, In Faith, In Purity. (I Timothy 4:12).
Become a leader today–Hear “The Word” and Do it. (Matthew 7:24, James 1:22).
This Is Disgusting.
As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. (Proverbs 26:11)
Why do you keep repeating the same mistake? This is what the verse above is saying. It’s referred to as returning to your vomit. You’ve made that same mistake before, and here you are doing it again.
If you keep doing the same sin, you will always get the same result.
Repentance means, to turn around, turn away and go in the opposite direction.
But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb, the dog has turned again to his own vomit, and the sow that was washed returned to her wallowing in the mire. (1 Peter2:22).
Why Repent? Simply Obey. Repentance Is Never A Substitute for Obedience.
Thank you for the reminder that God does not delight in casual relationships.