NISAN
15
Green
Pastures
“He makes me to lie down in green pastures …” (Ps 23:2)
When our
youngest son was born, he hit the ground in a hurry. Always on the move, he walked – no, ran – earlier than any of our other
children, at around 9 months. And he
hasn’t stopped since. Inactivity was
only found during periods of deep sleep in our son’s life, though falling
asleep was never much of a problem – he wore himself out! Even now, in his early forties, Justin is
always busy, doing something.
It is the same with many of us. We run here, we run there, to the point that all this running is counter-productive, and absolutely exhausting. Sometimes we must be made to stop, and simply rest.
The phrase “He makes me to lie down” is translated from one Hebrew word: râbats (Strong’s H7257). The implication is that one is totally stretched out in rest and relaxation, comfortable and at peace. That our Great Shepherd would firmly stop our aimless and pointless wandering, making us stretch out and relax is a wonderful example of His care and concern for us.
Sheep need green and healthy pastures to survive. The word translated as ‘pastures’ is the word nâ'âh (Strong’s H4999), and while it does mean a pasture or a meadow, it also means a dwelling, habitation, or abode. The resulting picture we see is a place of health and sustenance, one of security and growth. Thank You, my Father …
“I will bring them out
from the peoples. I will gather them from the countries. I will bring them back
to their own land. I will shepherd them upon the mountains of Israel, by the
streams and in all the habitable places of the land. I will shepherd them in a
good pasture—their grazing place will be on the high mountains of Israel. There
they will lie down on good grazing ground. They will feed in a rich pasture on
the mountains of Israel. I will tend My flock and make them lie down—it is a
declaration of Adonai.” (Eze 34:13-15 TLV)
©2022
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