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Healing Ministry: One of the vital responsibilities of shepherds is to take care of the health and healing of the flock. In Ezekiel 34, God addresses the failure of the leaders to shepherd the people by not strengthening the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. Laniak reflects, “Neglec...

Self-giving: Laniak writes, “Following Jesus involves literally taking up one’s cross. To serve this shepherd requires laying down one’s life in the service of his flock� (187). This is an ongoing theme throughout the book. There is an ongoing view that the servant of Yahweh will be sufferin...

One of the great encouragements found throughout this book is the emphasis on God’s divine preference for human agency. While humans are not always the ideal due to their own straying, God seems committed to demonstrating his divine leadership through the stewardship of humanity. This human servic...

Wildernerss Formation: For both Moses and David, the protection, provision, and guidance of Yahweh as their Shepherding God was learned first in their days as shepherds themselves. It is in God’s good providence that the two great figures of the Hebrew Bible are shepherds who go on to shepherd-lea...

Rest: “Rest is not only a function of being well provided for. It is a state of security that comes from the shepherd’s protective presence (55).� This is a powerful reminder for all of us in ministry who struggle with the concept of rest and sabbath. The footnote is especially important as it...