Names of God, Our Shepherd and Lord of Hosts
Thank you for joining us for these important teachings. The better we know the God we serve, the better success we will have in walking a victorious life here with Him now! Allow the Spirit of God to give you His revelation of His Word today. Eric
The next compound name of God we will study is revealed in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my Shepherd." The Hebrew word translated 'shepherd' is Ra'ah which means: to tend a flock.
In Psalm 78:52 and 53, we see a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ as the 'Good Shepherd.' In reading a description of the Israelite's exodus from Egypt, we read, "52 He led out His people like sheep and guided them like a flock in the wilderness. 53 He led them safely, so that they did not fear, but the sea engulfed their enemies."
"Sheep are one of the most frequently mentioned animals in the Bible, symbolizing innocence, vulnerability and the need for guidance. In the Scriptures, 'sheep' are often used metaphorically to represent God's people, highlighting their dependence on divine guidance and protection." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia).
Shepherds were responsible for leading sheep to grazing land, locating water for them, protecting them from predators, searching for and finding the lost, then, bringing them back to safety. The shepherds lived with the flock so they needed to be "patient, vigilant, gently firm and sacrificially courageous." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
"Sheep have a great memory. They can remember about 50 faces of other flock members and faces of people. They can learn their name, and recognize if you are happy or angry based on your facial expression. They recognize their shepherd's voice even amidst other flocks. They will not respond to another shepherd's voice. They do respond to their shepherd's voice, care and guidance." (newlifeonahomestead.com).
When we read the Scripture, the shepherd and sheep relationship we see demonstrates the care, guidance and leadership that God, our Shepherd provides for His people. (sheep or believers).
Let's look at some of the Words of Jesus in John 10: "I am the good (confident, able) shepherd"; "I know my sheep and my sheep know me - just as the Father knows me and I know the Father"; "I lay down my life for the sheep." (verses 14 and 15). Speaking of the shepherd, verse 3b reads, "The sheep listen to his voice"; verse 4c reveals, "his sheep follow him because they know his voice." Then, in verse 27, Jesus reveals, "My sheep listen to my voice, I know them and they follow me."
Isaiah 40:11 gives us a beautiful image of God as our Shepherd, "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." In reading this verse, we recognize that God guides, protects and cares for His sheep. He has tremendous tenderness, compassion, deep affection, and love for believers. As His sheep (people), we can rightfully feel cherished and valued.
Joseph's father, Jacob (who later was renamed Israel) when blessing Joseph and his sons, revealed that he had received guidance, provision and protection from "God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day." (Genesis 48:15c). This statement "reflects a personal relationship, the reliance He had and the divine care he received from the Lord no matter the trials and tribulations of his life." (Bible Hub Study Bible). This is the relationship that God desires to have with each one of us and for me, this is the relationship I desire to have with Him.
We see that, for the believer, our sheep and shepherd relationship with God is not temporary. Praise Him! Revelation 7:17 refers to the time of eternity with Him, "For the Lamb (Jesus) in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. 'He will lead them in springs of living water' and 'God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'" This is wonderful news!
To end our examination of "The LORD is my Shepherd,' we will glean what Psalm 23:1-6 reveals to us. "1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 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). Divine Shepherding, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. Remember, shepherds are responsible for the care, guidance and protection of the sheep. In these verses, King David acknowledges God's intimate involvement in providing for all of his needs.
2). Provision and Rest, Verses 1b,2 and 3a, "I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul." He makes me 'lie down' or rest. The 'green pastures’ indicate a place of nourishment. The 'still waters' literally means waters of rest. 'Water' mayim, in the Hebrew, speaks of life, sustenance, fertility, blessings and refreshment. Then, 3a 'restores my soul' - restores is a return to a state of spiritual vitality and peace of mind.
3). Guidance and Righteousness, verse 3b, "in paths of righteousness" underscores God's role in leading His people toward moral and spiritual integrity.
4). Protection and Presence - 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." During life's darkest and most challenging moments, we have the assurance of His presence. He provides comfort and courage.
5). Abundance and Blessing, verse 5a, 'prepares a table' (food), 'anoints head with oil' (prosperity and the Holy Spirit) and 'my cup overflows' indicates an abundance even in the midst of adversity. This reflects God's ability to provide joy and sustenance beyond measure.
6). Eternal Security, verse 6 'surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.' We will spend eternity in the presence of God!
Psalm 23 gives us a profound expression of what it means for God to be our Shepherd. Did you pick up on the confidence King David has in God's providential care and guidance? Here is the really good news, God never changes. He is our Shepherd today just as He was for King David.
The final Hebrew compound name of God we will be looking at is possibly the most dynamic. Although, I have really appreciated all the insight I have gained from studying His Names and learning of His attributes and character and how they affect my life personally. The focus of this part of our post is 'YHWH-Sabaoth-The LORD of hosts.'
Isaiah 6:1-3 reads, " In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" 'Hosts' means: that which goes forth, army, war and organized army. 'LORD of hosts' is the "title which highlights God's supreme authority, power, sovereignty, command and might over all heavenly and earthly armies and all creation. The 'LORD of hosts' is the Commander of these armies. He is the divine warrior Who protects and fights for His people." (Bible Hub Study Bible). The Bible Hub Topical Lexicon adds: "Hosts' gathers the ideas of organized strength, ordered service and relentless perseverance. It summons the picture of disciplined ranks accomplishing the will of the LORD,"
As the LORD of hosts, God has ultimate control of all our circumstances! This knowledge and truth fills my heart with comfort, peace and joy because I am very much aware of how much He loves me. Time and time again, He has proven Himself Faithful to me. You see, this name of God gives us the assurance that He has the ability and power to accomplish what seems impossible to us. Knowing He reigns over our every circumstance encourages us to trust Him. We can trust in His plans and purposes for us, (even though sometimes we do not understand why things happen) because they are for our good and welfare. (Jeremiah 29:11).
We will also see that the LORD of hosts is "often associated with God's ability to execute judgment and deliverance." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia). Remember when part of His plan to execute deliverance from slavery for His people in Egypt was to send frogs, flies, gnats and locust upon the Egyptians so Pharoah would let them go? That was the work of the LORD of hosts. Also in Exodus 23:28 we read, “And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.” A very familiar scripture where we see the heavenly host referenced is at Jesus’ birth. Luke 2:13 reads, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest…” These Scriptures give us examples of the earthly and heavenly armies He Commands.
Psalm 24:10 reveals that the LORD of hosts IS the King of Glory. The 'King of Glory' emphasizes God's supreme majesty and honor. God is unmatched in splendor and authority.
The LORD of hosts hears and responds to those who are vulnerable, exploited and oppressed. (James 5:4).
We see those He will execute His righteous judgement against in Malachi 3:5, "Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts." If any of those words describe you, I plead with you to repent (turn away from them), confess your sin, come to and ask Jesus to be forgiven.
It was through the LORD of host's intervention that a remnant of believers were preserved allowing the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to be included in God's plan of salvation. Praise God, He preserved a faithful group despite widespread unfaithfulness. A remnant refers to a small faithful group of people preserved by God despite widespread judgment or disaster. Romans 9:29 reveals that 'if the Lord of hosts had not left us a remnant we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah,' which was totally destroyed by the Lord. Remember that the LORD sent angels to warn the righteous to depart from the city before it was destroyed because of the gravity of their sin. (Genesis 18 and 19). "Theologically, the remnant represents God's faithfulness to His covenant promises ensuring that His people will not be completely destroyed. (Bible Hub Study Bible).
Isaiah 37:32 reveals that 'zeal of the LORD of hosts' caused that remnant to be preserved. The 'zeal of the LORD of hosts' refers to God's passionate commitment to His purposes and His people. 'LORD of hosts' underscores His sovereignty and command over heavenly armies indicating His power to fulfill His promises." (Bible Hub Study Bible).
The LORD of hosts will never break His covenant or His promises. His plan of redemption for all who believe is eternal! Praise Him!
All of God's purposes are unstoppable and will be accomplished by His might.
The LORD of hosts is ultimately in control over all of our and the world's circumstances. "God, as LORD of hosts has unmatched authority and active involvement in the affairs of the world! We must trust in His power, seek His protection and live in reverence of His Holy Name." (bible Hub Study Bible).
He is love!
He is faithful!
He never changes!
He is in charge!
We can trust Him emphatically!
All Scriptures were taken from the English Standard Version.