NISAN
12
MY
Shepherd
“יהוה
is my shepherd …” (Ps 23:1)
Much of the land in Wyoming is owned by
the government (Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service, as well as
state agencies), and both cattle and sheep ranchers will lease sections of this
government land to pasture and feed their livestock on. When I first arrived
in the state of Wyoming (1973), it was not unusual to see flocks of sheep
numbering in the thousands, with several sheepherders (and their dogs) tending
to them. It was the responsibility of these sheepherders to watch over
the sheep, protect them, care for them, and diligently provide adequate
pastures and water for them. And this was a full time, 24/7 job.
‘My’ and ‘mine’ are words of
possession, of ownership. When I make a declaration of this nature (my
husband, my child, my home, and my Elohim), it reveals
that I have chosen to identify with that particular subject, and in the example
of our opening verse, it is Yahweh our Elohim. I have chosen Yahweh to be
my Elohim, and I have chosen to cleave to Him and His ways.
There is, however, much more stated
here. The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘shepherd’ is the word râ‛âh
(Strong’s H7462). According to Jeff Benner, the Ancient Hebrew symbols
for the word râ‛âh
imply
a "man who watches", such as a shepherd closely watching over his
flock.[1]
Is this not a beautiful picture of our Abba Father! Our Creator is
the one who ‘watches over us’, as we are "His people and the sheep of His
pasture" (Ps 100:3).
When I choose to make the statement “יהוה is my Shepherd”,
I am recognizing and accepting His care for me, a sheep. And I am placing
my complete trust in Him, knowing that He will never leave me, or abandon me
(Deu 4:31; Heb 13:5). AMEIN!
“I am the good shepherd. And I know
Mine, and Mine know Me …” (John 10:14)
©2021
[1]
Ancient Hebrew Lexicon of the Bible; ©2006 Ancient Hebrew Research Center;
ISBN: 1589397762 Author: Jeff Benner
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