Shepherd: A word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the
word "pastor" is used instead
(Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16) This
word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to
their subjects and of God to his people
(Psalms 23:1; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; 44:28)
(Jeremiah 25:34,35; Nahum 3:18; John 10:11,14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4) The duties
of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very
onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold,
marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here
he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed,
and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the
rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those
lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the
shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running
stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs.
At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they
passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were
missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to
guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts,
or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see)
(1 Samuel 17:34) Deane's
David.
