![]() Shepherds of Ancient Israel were known to create a sheepfold (an enclosure that may be topped by thorns and serves to keep the sheep safely inside at night and the predators out). A good shepherd is a protector of sheep, not a source of harm. This is a reproduction of Elizabeth Jane Gardner’s The Shepherd David of about 1895.įor a shepherd, his sheep are his treasure, his most precious Sheep are the most precious assets. A shepherd who intentionally harms his sheep is a shepherd who has intentionally forfeited that sheep’s trust in him. Moreover, sheep are known to have an excellent memory, eliminating the chance that an abused sheep would “forget” who had broken her leg, much less ever come to trust or appreciate her abusive, staff-wielding master. Rather, these were tools used by shepherds to ward off predators. ![]() “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11) Truth # 2: Violence never builds trust.Ĭontrary to popular belief, a shepherd’s rod and staff were not disciplinary tools. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that a broken leg would heal correctly. Resultantly, not only would the crippled sheep be susceptible to predators, but the shepherd would be rendered unable to care for his remaining sheep, endangering the entire flock. The shepherd would be required to carry the sheep for a lengthy period of time. … Only a shepherd who hastens not to judge the runaway kid, who is sensitive to the causes of its desertion, can mercifully lift it into his arms and bring it back home.” (Chabad)īeside Still Waters is a painting by Greg OlsenĪdditionally, purposefully disabling a sheep would handicap both the sheep and the shepherd. “Moses realized that the kid did not run away from the flock out of malice or wickedness-it was merely thirsty. Said the Almighty: ‘You are merciful in tending sheep-you will tend My flock, the people of Israel.’” (Shemot Rabbah 2:2) When Moses reached the kid he cried: ‘Oh, I did not know that you were thirsty!’ He cradled the runaway kid in his arms and carried it to the flock. Moses chased after it, until it came to a spring and began to drink. “One day, a kid ran away from the flock under Moses’ care. In the Midrash, it is written of Moses (as a shepherd): In fact, there is evidence to the contrary found in the Midrash (an ancient commentary on the Hebrew scriptures). Had ancient Israeli shepherds crippled their wandering sheep, there would be a record of this practice. … Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15–17) Truth # 1: Ancient Jewish shepherds never purposefully broke the legs of wandering sheep. the distortion of human relationship and authority and.the distortion of events in reality, past and present (including events which may require conscientious action for one’s own well-being).the distortion of Christ as the Good Shepherd (and what it means to be a good shepherd). ![]() ![]() The results of the continuous propagation of this lamentable myth include: ![]()
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