Ezekiel 34: Shepherds and Wisdom – A Reprise
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Adapted from a reflection written on January 20, 2008, and explored last September. Today we explore again how scripture’s wisdom might help us discern the difference between true and false shepherds.
Yesterday we explored the concept of the shepherd in Old Testament scriptures. Today we look at the books of wisdom to see what wisdom they hold for us as we look for a way to discern the difference between true and false shepherds.
In the Book of Psalms, the Holy Spirit brings us beautiful words of the comforting, guiding, protecting shepherd.
Psalm 23 describes the divine shepherd.
Psalm 28 asks Yahweh to be our refuge and protection.
Psalm 78 describes the relationship we want to have with the good shepherd.
Psalm 80 asks the shepherd for restoration.
In the sapiential book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12, we hear that the words of wisdom are like the shepherd’s staff.
Tomorrow, prophets who shepherd us . . .
When we compare translations of these verses, we discover the qualities of the good shepherd. In hope we cleave to the shepherd who guides, who calms our fears, who gathers us in.
For more beautiful images of shepherds and their flocks, click on the image or visit the “Tending the Flock” post on the “Herding on the Web” blog.
The Noontimes 