We begin our study of the images of eternity in the greatest psalm in the Psalter: The Shepherd Psalm. Here we will find the answer to our question, "who leads the way?" Before we begin, we should probably note as Spurgeon does, the placement of this psalm in the Psalter. Psalm Twenty-two is a messianic psalm of the greatest importance. In verse one, we see the words of Christ on the cross revealed a full millennia before the event:"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
See the foreshadow of the pain and sorrow of God's sin-bearer in the midst of His crucifixion agony. If we do not see and understand that, we will not be able to comprehend the sweetness of our good Shepherd's care. As Christians, we have to begin to appreciate that not only did Christ die for us, but He also cares for us daily. Let us see this loving care that David tells us is ours because we belong to the Good Shepherd. David sets this theme in this psalm by comparing his needs to that of a sheep!
The domesticated sheep is a creature that absolutely needs human care to survive. As an animal, it is weak, defenseless and foolish. A couple years ago our best young ewe rolled over on her back up against the side of the barn. There she died of suffocation, with her feet in the air, because she couldn't figure out how to get out of the predicament. There have been many other cases where our flock has gotten into a pickle without any common sense as to getting back into the pasture or barn that they shouldn't have left in the first place. Thus, our sheep need a shepherd. In the same way, we all need Christ as the Shepherd of our souls.
In the course of the years, I have learned to imitate the mid-eastern custom of leading the sheep instead of chasing them. It is possible to accomplish your sheep management goals by giving chase to the wayward lambs and ewes. But, it is ever so much more enjoyable to have taught your sheep to follow. Whenever we need to move the sheep or return them to the barn or pasture, all it takes is a little oats now and then to keep them coming when I call. I can remember the frustration of trying to chase the flock down and through a gate. Believe me, it is ever so much more enjoyable to call "Sheep!" and rattle the oats bucket and let them follow me where they need to be! In the same sense, our Good Shepherd calls us and if we listen and come we shall not be in want. Are you like David, willing and able to say:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."
If you can affirm that you belong to the Good Shepherd, you will probably want to know what benefits are yours from the hand of the Shepherd. In verse two we have a list of these benefits. First, there are the green pastures. Notice that we are made to lie down in these pastures. Here we should see that He provides ample spiritual and physical nurture for our vital needs. We should also note that the Hebrew word for pasture implies a place to dwell, a home as it were. Thus, in these green pastures, David would have us know that in Christ we have a home. Johnny Cash has expressed this sentiment in one of his popular songs with the words: "In the shade of the old oak tree, I kneel to touch the green, green grass of home." For all of the lost and straying people in this world today who are looking for a heavenly home, the promise of this psalm is a real hope for eternal blessing.
Second, there are the quiet waters which sheep so earnestly desire in preference to fast flowing streams. Have you ever relaxed near a quiet stream or listened to the restful sound of waves on a sea shore? Very many counselors and doctors will have an aquarium of fish in their offices so that quiet tranquil waters may relax their patients. For a few months, we placed two aquariums in our school where we had been having problems with rowdy students. When someone was sent to see the Principal they had to sit near the fish while they waited. It was surprisingly effective.
My Father's farm has a quiet stream flowing through it. When I was little, I always loved to play in the shade of the trees around the spring where the sheep and cattle would gather to rest. This is where Christ would lead us; to His Father's heavenly rest.
Third, David tells us that our very own God restores our soul and guides us in paths of righteousness. Isn't this the salvation process in action? He first becomes our shepherd, then He feeds us and leads us for the working out of His purpose. If we will but follow Him we will be guided into the paths of His righteousness. In the phrase, "He guides me", the Hebrew seems to suggest more than just the second birth. We have here the New Testament idea of the lost sheep. We might go so far as to translate this phrase: "He brings me back from straying". Remember? We are all like lost and straying sheep. We have a built-in tendency to go astraying! David's shepherd is like the one in a parable of Jesus, who goes out into the dark, fierce and desolate wilderness to seek and find the one lamb that is lost. If any of you have not sought a living relationship with Jesus Christ, even now, He is searching and seeking to bring you to your knees so that you may accept Him as the Shepherd of your soul.
In verse four we find the blessed comfort that is ours if Jesus is our Lord and Master:
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
In these words we acknowledge that being human, we must eventually lay down and die! For those who belong to Jesus Christ, there is a very comforting word in the first phrase. See it, the second from the end? "shadow" A shadow is not a real thing. Behind some object is the brightness of light, the shadow is of another object between. The saints who belong to Christ will find the eternal brightness of heaven beyond the shadow of death. For the Christian, there is life after life. In the death, resurrection and return of our Lord Jesus Christ, the reality of death disappears. Because of Jesus, only the shadow is left for those who follow Him. Because of what the Good Shepherd has accomplished, we like David, should fear no evil, for Christ is with us. We ought to be regularly comforted by the twin signs of His Royal and Shepherd roles: the rod and the staff. His presence and His loving care and guidance will give us comfort, if we will allow Him into our hearts.
In most translations of verse five, the table is spread in the presence of enemies. It is equally possible to use the word adversary. When I first saw this translation in the Anchor Bible, this change opened up a completely different understanding at a time when I needed comforting from this Shepherd's Psalm. In the Near East, this spreading of a table before the sheep was common. The shepherd would kneel on the ground and lay his leather apron in front of him. Grain would then be sprinkled on this table for the sheep to eat. Since I have taken the trouble to train our sheep to come for oats, one yell at feeding time will bring the flock quicker than flies to honey. However, I would not want to be in front of my flock shaking oats out on any apron that I was wearing! No matter how large a table I spread, there is always a big rush and much butting and fighting over the grain. These quiet, friendly sheep become adversaries at meal time! This reminds me so much of the church! People come by many routes and from many places to gather around our Lord's table. So very often they get butted and even trampled by other Christians who are all struggling to be fed by Christ. Tempers are raised, misunderstanding takes place, some stay home, others leave the flock. It would indeed be heaven to be in a church where there were no adversaries. But that is impossible, at least until our Lord returns.
Let us remember today, that as we are led in this life towards the next, we should keep our eyes on the Shepherd who has called us and assures us of His tender care. Certainly, our cups may overflow even in this life. Certainly the goodness and love of God may follow us all the days of our lives. And just as certainly, the promise of eternal life is ours as we follow the Savior and Shepherd of our souls: Jesus Christ. Amen.
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