Psalms
23:2
He
maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
Survivalists
will tell you that there are three top priorities in times of crisis- Water, food,
and security. Without these all other survival preparation is worthless, AND no
one will be able to rest.
As
to leading sheep, they do best with gentle guidance, not driving them harshly.
The Hebrew word of "leadeth" is not talking about a stampede.
The
Hebrew again speaks not of placid waters, as with a swamp or a stagnant pools--
these are literally waters of restfulness-- a cool shaded rippling brook.
Dad
and Mom-- Does this describe your home? If not, when will you repent and model
your parenting after the Chief Shepherd?
Some of you are too busy trying to figure out how soon you can beat the sheep.
Does
this describe your local church? If not, when will you get out of there and find
the restful waters and safety of a strong and gentle under-shepherd?
Psalms
23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name's sake.
The
Hebrew word for "restoreth" is the same as the Hebrew word for "converteth."
This is the converting of a saved Jew, not an unsaved Gentile.
We
Bible believers need this "converting" by the Word of God, as in Psalms
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the
LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Correction
is a strong theme in this Psalm. It is often used in funeral homes and wicked
places to give comfort, but the ungodly will NOT take correction-- will you?
"The
paths of righteousness" are not passive paths. They "straight"
and "narrow" paths in the exact same context of Christ's command Matthew
7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
and few there be that find it.
This means the sheep will not have the easiest path, but it will be the
safe path.
If
this was the path to Heaven, and Christ said, "Follow me," "for
my name's sake," would you? The easy believeism of our modern 7/11 store
Christianity is the wide smooth road the hell.
Psalms
23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
David
is not speaking of his departure to heaven-- he is talking about the gloom and
danger all of us sheep experience on our way through life. Israel is known for
wide open spaces, often green and peaceful, but interrupted over and over by deep
ravines in which wild animals lurked hoping to catch the unwary. David would have,
as a young shepherd himself, have taken his sheep safely through such places.
Our Lord can be trusted to see us through life's dark and deadly places also.
Fear
no evil? Evil is all we have these days for a diet of conversation topics. Are
we showing the frightened of this life that we fear no evil, or have we joined
the panic party?
The
rod is a weapon to defend the sheep, and the rod is the staff to guide sheep that
wander off the path. There is NOTHING in either that speaks of hitting the bad
sheep. This invention is made by pastors who like to beat sheep and want Jesus
to be the example.
So,
the theme in this verse is that danger is there, it is real, but it is all known
and avoided for us by the Good Shepherd.
Psalms
23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Verse
4 spoke of the valley of the shadow of death and protection passing through it.
Now, we see that this Shepherd is able to even serve dinner to us while we literally
sit with our enemies. Indeed, the enemy may well be induced to provide the dinner.
The story
is told of the Arab Sheik whose son was killed by a man who was being careless.
The Sheik swore to kill the man. The man arranged to secretly be invited to dinner
at the Sheik's table, and after the meal, the targeted man revealed his real identity.
The Sheik observed a custom in the Middle East to never harm anyone whom you invited
to your table. The man was then safe. We are safe even when our enemy knows who
we are, for our Shepherd is greater than our enemy.
The
anointing with oil in olden times in Israel was a perfumed oil which was poured
on the head of the guest where it remained during a feast. The fragrance remained
through the evening. And, the cup runs over because the host is generous. Our
Shepherd Savior is an abundant host to his sheep.
John
10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Psalms
23:6
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and
I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Goodness,
in the very physical and earthy imagery of this Psalm, would be mainly life's
needs for physical survival, and more. It speaks of abundance. We think then of
Christ's words:
John
10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Mercy
then goes on to speak of the love of God, and the forgiving spirit of God, to
his sheep. This in no way is meant to give comfort to any rebel sinner who thinks
he can invoke the mercy of "the good Lord." Mercy here is for YOU, only
if you have confessed Christ as Lord.
Forever,
in the Hebrew, is not so interested in eternity, though that is the destiny of
the saint. Forever here speaks of length of days. There is a notion out there
that God will be good to us in eternity, but for now he lets us suffer, and he
actually holds back the good thing until later. That is heresy. He is your Shepherd
now.
So,
what you may claim as a promise of God is a whole life of special tender attention
to every detail in your life by Almighty God. So, what else do you need?
