Shepherd Research Paper

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The word ‘shepherd’ is a motif found throughout the bible from the beginning to the end. The idea of shepherding or God acting as a shepherd to His people began in the Old Testament with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Adam’s first job within Eden was to have dominion over everything within the garden. With the animals in mind he was responsible for their well-being and care. Abel was assigned the job of being a shepherd ,unlike his brother Cain who cultivated the land. In Genesis 48:24 Jacob described the Lord as being “shepherd all his life to this day,” while on his deathbed. Shepherding has been a common occupation for Middle Eastern people. Some of the most noteworthy shepherds in the Old Testament have been Moses and David. Each given clear objective to bring guidance and clarity to God’s chosen people through a given trial. A shepherd was designed to guide and protect his animals from any danger that might be after its flock. Moses used a shepherds staff to perform miraculous signs and wonders in Exodus. The shepherds staff was very symbolic to mean protection, power and authority. The shepherd’s crook was a divine symbol of kingship in Egypt (). It …show more content…

They count their flock and provide them with safe pastures where they can lay their heads in rest. Number 27:17 Israel was in need of a king someone to guide the people of God. Instead of the Israelites waiting for the Lord to send them someone responsible they chose Saul to be a ruler. Saul was not a good ruler in the sense that he did not rely fully on the Lord to be his shepherd. He did not fully follow the words of the prophet Samuel when asked by God to commit certain tasks. It was not until David, God’s chosen king, did Israel really have a true leader dedicated to the treatment and care of God’s flock. He led and guided the Israelites with leadership through many battles and troubles. God was always the frontrunner and

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