The Nature of Sheep Part 2
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 11:56 am
If you haven't been insulted by our characterization of how much we are like sheep, here are a few more characteristics of the nature of sheep, as cited by Dr. Sam L. Peeples, Jr. and Mary Glynn Peeples in their study of "Successful Stress Management: A Unique Biblical Approach":
6. Sheep are not burden-bearing - Sheep do not pull wagons or carry loads on their back. Neither was man created to bear heavy burdens.
7. Sheep are defenseless - Sheep need protection from their enemies. Like sheep, we have many unseen and unknown enemies. We need to have the One who knows all and sees all and is all, to guide and protect us from the enemies we face - the world - the flesh - the devil. (John 2:1).
8. Sheep need daily contact with the shepherd - Sheep need the daily touch of the shepherd. Once this has taken place, sheep are content to wander about the pasture. All of us are like sheep. We need daily contact with our shepherd.
9. Sheep need to be sheared - The same wool that protects sheep in cold will kill them in the summer. Sheep need to be sheared and must depend upon the shepherd to do the shearing.
10. Sheep are vision-impaired when not sheared - Wool covers the eyes of the sheep until sheared. Shearing improves our vision. Shepherds are only experienced enough to shear sheep. There is a possibility of paralyzing sheep if cut wrong (cutting the muscle). If we struggle, we may paralyze ourselves.
When considering the nature sheep, we see ourselves in the metaphor."My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27
6. Sheep are not burden-bearing - Sheep do not pull wagons or carry loads on their back. Neither was man created to bear heavy burdens.
7. Sheep are defenseless - Sheep need protection from their enemies. Like sheep, we have many unseen and unknown enemies. We need to have the One who knows all and sees all and is all, to guide and protect us from the enemies we face - the world - the flesh - the devil. (John 2:1).
8. Sheep need daily contact with the shepherd - Sheep need the daily touch of the shepherd. Once this has taken place, sheep are content to wander about the pasture. All of us are like sheep. We need daily contact with our shepherd.
9. Sheep need to be sheared - The same wool that protects sheep in cold will kill them in the summer. Sheep need to be sheared and must depend upon the shepherd to do the shearing.
10. Sheep are vision-impaired when not sheared - Wool covers the eyes of the sheep until sheared. Shearing improves our vision. Shepherds are only experienced enough to shear sheep. There is a possibility of paralyzing sheep if cut wrong (cutting the muscle). If we struggle, we may paralyze ourselves.
When considering the nature sheep, we see ourselves in the metaphor."My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27