The
23rd Psalm is one of the most known, and most often recited at
funerals. This is one that we hear and perhaps memorize. There is a lot in it
and we could study what is being said and why for long hours. There is a little
book also that describes the 23rd Psalm from the point of view of a
shepherd. Sheep are not very bright, and it is easy for them to get in trouble
if there is no one looking out for them, protecting them, leading them and
feeding them. That is in part what this good shepherd is about – keeping his charges
safe and we will see many instances when this reference is included in
scriptures – in both the Old and New Testaments. I am including a couple of
links to commentaries below in case you might want to read some of the things
others have said about this psalm. And if you are so inclined the little book
by Philip Keller called A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm is
inexpensive and probably worth reading.
Some
of the things that I think of when I read this Psalm of thanks is that if the
water is rough or we are in rapids we cannot drink – and since sheep don’t always
know good food from bad, the fact that this good shepherd makes me rest where
there is plenty of good food, we get an idea of what this shepherd is about,
and why it is read at funerals: that this shepherd cares for us at the point of
death and has prepared a place for us after we die. Indeed there is much to be
thankful for in this knowledge.
Genesis
22:13-19
And
Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught
in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up
as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that
place, "The Lord will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On
the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."
And
the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said,
"By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and
have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will
surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is
on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and
in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you
have obeyed my voice."
This
is maybe hard to figure out, especially at first reading but I have gotten a
lot out of it each time I have read this passage. Isaac trusts his father and
goes willingly with him; Abraham recognizes that everything he has – including this
son born to him in his advanced age from his wife who has been barren – is a
gift from the Lord. His words “the Lord will provide” are both recognition of
this and a prayer – I think. Abraham did not know that the Lord would stay his
hand, but perhaps he hoped that something different would come about. Abraham
had seen the Lord spare Lot and give him a son – but he also recognized that
the Lord’s plans are His own. This recognition and obedience is a blessing to
him and all his descendents after him. Abraham already knew that God had
promised to make his offspring as numerous as the sands in the desert or the
stars in the sky – that would require an offspring; but how would God
accomplish this, Abraham did not know. The other thing I have noticed is that
at the beginning, this relationship is between Abraham and God, and at the end,
we see that Isaac now has a very personal relationship with God – the God who
saves him.
And
here in Luke we come to one of those passages where we read about sheep and
shepherds. The thing that I recognize here is what I have learned from my
friends who keep sheep; sheep are not very bright. I know I said that earlier
but apparently this is a big truth. The idea that we would go hunting for one
when we had the 99 doesn’t make sense in some ways, but when the 99 are
together, they will stay together but the one that isn’t there is lost and
probably in danger of eating the wrong thing or not getting clean water or of
being eaten by wolves. And then we continue reading here about other lost
things – a coin and a son. These are precious, each in their own way and these
parables show to what extent the Lord – who is the good shepherd the searcher
for lost souls – will go to in order to restore those that are lost. David knew
this when he wrote his Psalm, and thanks to him we can know it too. This son,
who effectively says to his father “I wish you were dead” so that I could have
my inheritance now, the son who walks away and squanders everything and then
thinks he will come crawling back to ask for mercy – is not able to buy his way
in or work his way back he is loved, and restored to his family. This is the
way that our Father in heaven loves us. Thanks be to God.
Link
to a commentary on the 23 Psalm: http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/Matthew-Henry/Ps/Confidence-Gods-Grace-Care
Or
another one: http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/calvin/cc08/cc08028.htm
Today’s
readings: Psalm 23, Genesis 22, 1 Chronicles 27, Luke 15
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