Psalm 23:6 This psalm began with the sheep, as it were, bragging across the fence to his neighbor. He makes me lie down in green pastures. Through this beautiful metaphor, Psalm 23 gives us invaluable insights into the character of God and His plan for His children. Lambs, sheep and shepherds mentioned 1,140 times in the Bible. I want to share with you some of the characteristics of sheep. Like David, Anna and Pete also were sheep and also had a Shepherd. 5. As John 10:11 puts it, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” In memory, I still see one of the sheep ranches in our district which was operated by a tenant sheep man. He leads me beside quiet waters. God is Our Caring Provider With this in mind let me start by pointing out distinctive characteristics of sheep – characteristics that are true for all of us as sheep. Yet I dare say you never took up your Bible to see how many times they are mentioned there, or how many beautiful things are said about them. Before David became king of Israel, he was a shepherd. Sheep. Like David, we also are sheep and we also have a Shepherd. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. From this perspective, David wrote the words of Psalm 23. Throughout Scripture, sinners in general, and God’s people in particular, are described as sheep. He makes me to lie down in … He restores my soul. 3. Then we will close in re-reading the Psalm and hopefully you have a more thorough and appreciative outlook on this Psalm of David. But our mental picture of goats is usually vague. Most importantly, the good shepherd loves his sheep and sacrifices. I suppose you think you already know as much about sheep and lambs as I can tell you, and perhaps you do. Many people are aware of it. Psalm 23 from the Sheep’s Perspective Compiled by Gary T. Panell. The sheep’s wellbeing depends on what type of a shepherd he has. Throughout Scripture, sinners in general, and God’s people, are described as sheep. The literal meaning of a shepherd is a person who guides and tends to sheep. Psalm 23, David uses imagery to paint the picture of what a shepherd looked like at this time. In the New Testament, Shepherd dies for the sheep. Here are some characteristics of sheep and I think you will agree that it is very applicable to us! 4. We hear a great deal about them in sermons and their attributes are fairly common knowledge: Christ is the Good Shepherd and we are the sheep (John 10:11, 14). 2. The Good Shepherd spares no pains for the welfare of His sheep. A Psalm of David. Yet, in Scripture, we are the sheep. Psalm 34:9,10 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him…. “He makes me lie down in green pastures. We know many of the traits of sheep through studies into Psalm 23 and John 10. Through the course of the psalm, we went through the cycle of a year, and in this last verse, we find ourselves back again at the home ranch. Sacrificial actions. I shall. Second, do some research to uncover and then portray some of the characteristics of sheep-not all so complimentary! The welfare of a sheep without a shepherd is bleak at best. One reason is this Psalm is so well received is that it shows very simply and clearly how God is our Protector and Provider. This theme comes up time and time again through the Bible. In the Old Testament, sheep died for the shepherd. 12 Characteristics of Sheep By DAVID MURRAY of Head Heart Hand. He took care of and protected flocks of sheep, and he wrote this psalm describing God as a shepherd and God’s people as His flock. 1. True leaders provide for the real needs of those they lead. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. The core message at the beginning of this psalm is that all sheep need a shepherd (hence the title of this sermon). Psalm 23. Mr. Spurgeon said Psalm 23 is a "He, Me" Psalm. Jesus refers to himself as being the Good Shepherd and uses sheep and shepherd theme on number of occasions, most notably with the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Abraham, Lot, Jacob, Joseph's brethren, Moses, David all were shepherds. The good elder protects the flock even if the adversary disguises himself as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, meaning that many in the church don’t recognize the danger.