Nuyaka Baptist Church

Jehovah-Rohi, The LORD My Shepherd
1. God’s Tender Loving Care
a. Psalm 103:13-14- As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
i. There is a name of God that reminds us of His gentleness, tenderness, and care for His children. It is Jehovah-Rohi, The LORD My Shepherd.
ii. We have already learned about Jehovah-Rophe with an “f” sound, The LORD Who Heals. This name is Jehovah-Rohi, with an “h” sound.
b. Psalm 100:3- Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
i. God chose to illustrate His love for Israel with a picture of a shepherd and his sheep because both were plentiful in Israel. The image would be instantly understandable to Israel and help them feel God’s heart for them.
2. Shepherds and Sheep
a. Like a doctor or mechanic has special tools for their job, a shepherd had tools specific to his job.
i. A bag (scrip) holding a sling, bandages, stones and food.
1. For protection from wild animals, and to help give direction and correction.
ii. Shepherd’s flute.
1. Used to pass time and comfort sheep.
iii. Horn of Oil
1. Containing olive oil to heal cuts on the sheep.
iv. Goatskin Bag
1. Carried water for drinking
v. Staff
1. Used as a walking stick, was also used for guidance by pointing or hooking horn or hoof, as well as protection from briars or bushes, digging out poisonous plants, and pulling sheep out of pits, etc.
vi. Rod
1. Somewhat like a softball bat, used as a weapon against thieves and wild animals.
b. Sheep are generally considered ignorant, timid, helpless animals. They naturally flock, even if following the lead means running of a cliff. In 2006 near 400 sheep plunged to their death when the lead sheep tried to leap over a ravine.
c. Sheep have little means of self-defense, and if separated from their flock by a predator, their instinct is to just lie down and die.
d. Sheep have no sense of direction and, if lost, are not likely to find their way back to the flock or back home. They stray easily and need constant care.
e. Without a shepherd, sheep would easily die from wild animal attacks, sickness, eating poison plants, or falling into a pit they could not get out of and starving to death.
3. God is a Shepherd to His People
a. So why does the Bible refer to us as sheep and God as Shepherd? Because we are like sheep; we are helpless; like a Shepherd, God takes good care of His children.
b. King David, having been a shepherd, understood well the meaning of Jehovah-Rohi, The LORD My Shepherd. This is what he wrote about Jehovah-Rohi.
i. Psalm 23:1- The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
1. When God is our Shepherd, when God cares for us, we are not in need; we are well cared for.
ii. Psalm 23:2-3a- He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul.
1. Sheep must be brought to green pastures because they don’t find them on their own. A good shepherd carefully checks the pasture for poisonous plants and snakes that could kill the sheep as they graze. Sheep are afraid of running water, so a good shepherd leads his sheep to quiet waters. Sheep do not lie down unless they are free from hunger and fear.
iii. Psalm 23:3b- He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
1. A sheep that strays will encounter danger and hardship, but if we follow God, we will be kept in a right and good way. Like a shepherd might throw stones in the path of a straying sheep to bring it back into the flock, God sometimes throws stones onto our path to turn us back as well.
iv. Psalm 23:4- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
1. A shepherd must bring his sheep through danger and hardship, but he always accompanies them and never sends them alone. While travelling through a dark valley, shepherds would sometimes knock on the rocks with their staff to remind the sheep he was with them. And the shepherd uses his rod and staff to direct and protect his sheep.
v. Psalm 23:5- You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
1. If the shepherd is watching over the sheep, they can eat in peace because he will protect them from their enemies. God will also protect His children. We must trust Him and rest in His care. God is a Shepherd to His people. When they are wounded and bruised, Jehovah-Rohi does not beat them or ignore them. He carefully soothes their hurts and refreshes them. He gently cares for them.
vi. Psalm 23:6- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
1. Most sheep look alike to us. But a shepherd knows each one of his sheep and can call them by name. Jehovah-Rohi knows everyone who belongs to Him. He cares for His people and protects them, and we can be assured of His constant goodness and love toward those who know Him.