QUESTION:   Of all the Psalms, which one do you think is the best known?

      1. As directly applied to Jehovah it first appears in the Book of Psalms, chapter 23.  It is probably the best known of all the Psalms and maybe even in  the whole Bible.

      2. Meaning and Use of RO'ER / ROHI / ROI
           a. Primary meaning is to feed or lead to pasture, as a shepherd does his flock.
                -( Gen. 37:2 ) Joseph in Egypt feeding his flock
                -( 1 Sam. 17:15 ) David fed his fathers sheep
            b. It is also used  figuratively to represent the relationship between a prince  and his people.
                -( 2 Sam. 5:2 )
                -( Jer. 3:15 )
            c. It is used figuratively to mean folly or judgement.
                -( Prov. 15:14 )
                -( Ezek. 34:16 )
            d. It is also translated companion or friend. It expresses the idea of   intimacy of sharing life, food, etc.
                -( Judges 11:38 ) Jephtath's daughter went away with her companions.
                -( Ex. 33:11 ) As a man speaks to a friend.

B. Historical Significance
    1. It is a Psalm of David. Probably written in the latter portions of his life as  King. David was called the Great Shepherd King, he was a type or forerunner of the Great Shepherd,  Jesus Christ.

QUESTION:  What was David's occupation before he became king?

          David was originally a shepherd before Samuel anointed him as king  and he took the throne after the death of Saul. It is appropriate that  David, the shepherd, should write such a moving  testimony to God's caring for His people. Everything in David's life led him to such a relationship with Jehovah.

     2. It reads as though it was written by someone who had run the race, who had experienced many  trials, who had lived in sin and experienced it's sting, who  finally finds God's goodness and guiding and he is come to peace in his life.

    3. Life of a shepherd

ILLUSTRATION:  I have found this story and it describes the shepherd/sheep relationship  much better than  I  ever could. Let me read it for you. It is taken from  "Around the  Mediterranean with my Bible" by Patterson.

        A recent traveler in Palestine observes: "Shepherding does not change much in Palestine where wild beasts may descend still upon unprotected sheep and suddenly destroy them. The Palestine shepherd lives night and day with his animals.

          He establishes a degree of intimacy with them which is touching to observe. He calls them by their names and they, knowing his voice and hearing him only, heed. He protects the sheep from thieves and preying animals who would devour them at night, by sleeping in the opening of the often makeshift sheepfold and they, sensing his watchfulness, fears 'no evil'. He provides pasture and water even in the wilderness and the presence of enemies and they, casting all their anxiety upon him, are fed.

      There is a singular communion between the shepherd and his sheep which, after one has visited Palestine and observed it, makes the symbol of the good shepherd peculiarly apt, and the 23rd Psalm strangely moving'

C. Theological Significance
    1. Jehovah the shepherd of His people. None of the names of God touches the heart as this one. This name is wonderful when viewed in the general picture of Jehovah as presented in the OT. He is awe full and unapproachable in His holiness.

ACTION:  Read     Ex. 33:20

          He is purity and gloriously majestic, who thoughts and ways are  immeasurably above the thoughts and ways of man.

ACTION:  Read     Isa. 55:8,9

          Yet the wonderful grace of Jehovah as expressed in the word  Shepherd is such that He can have a close, loving relationship with mortal, sinful man whom He  has redeemed.

          The name shepherd is associated with God frequently after the 23rd  Psalm.
               -( Ps. 80:1 ) Shepherd of Israel
               -( Isa. 40:10,11 ) feed His flock like a shepherd.
               -( Ezek. 34:11-16 ) the Shepherd who will seek his sheep.

     2. JEHOVAH-ROHI is not only the Shepherd of His people, He is my shepherd,  the shepherd of  each one of His people.
          -I am by beloved's and He is mine.  (Song of Solomon)

ACTION:  Read   Ps. 139:2

        It is full of personal pronouns.  It is a psalm of personal experience with a personal God to whom  every sheep of the fold is precious and is in His care.

QUESTION:  Who is the ultimate shepherd?

     3. Jesus our Shepherd.Of all the names of God in the OT none is more beautifully pictured  than Jehovah Rohi and     personified in Jesus Christ.

QUESTION: To whom did the angels make the pronouncement of the birth of Jesus?

          The glorious announcement of His birth was to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks.

QUESTION: What was the nature of Jesus' last conversation with Peter before Jesus ascended to heaven?

          His last interaction with Peter before ascending  to sit at the right hand of the  Father was  to feed  and tend His sheep.

ACTION:  Read  John 10:11

      I am the Good Shepherd.

ACTION:  Read    Ezek. 34:11-16

      It was prophesized that he would be The Shepherd

ACTION:  Read    Heb. 13:20

      The great shepherd of the sheep.

ACTION:  Read      1 Peter 2:25

      Him who is the shepherd and bishop of our souls.

ACTION:  Read    Phil. 4:19

      He meets the needs of His flock

     4. The Holy Spirit our comforter

ACTION:  Read    John 14:16

          Jesus will leave but God will send another comforter. The shepherd and His sheep are never separated.

D. Personal Application

QUESTION:  Knowing what we do about this name of God, how can we appreciate it today?

     1. Jesus, our Jehovah-Rohi will:
        a. Gently lead us when we are tired.
        b. When we are hurt and weary He will anoint our head with oil and refresh us with His care.
        c. He will lead us even when others will try and show us a different way. He will protect us   from  their evil.
        d. After the heat and burden of the day, He gathers us into His fold and provides safety and shelter.
        e. He will lead us into the eternal fold and rest before the throne of God.  ( Rev. 7:15-17)

QUESTION:  Who is considered our earthly shepherd ?

     2. The earthly shepherd ( Pastor ) under the leadership of Jehovah-Rohi, has a threefold task.
         First, they lead sheep by example.
            a. The power of a godly role model is great. Good pastors lead their flock 'beside  still waters' ( Ps. 23:2 )
                so the sheep can 'drink' of Jesus Christ, have fellowship with Him  and build up their spirituality.
            b. Pastors /shepherds also lead their sheep ' in the paths of righteousness for His  name's  sake ' ( Ps. 23:3 )
                This is leadership away from sin and toward true godliness.

          Second, a shepherd / pastor, feeds his sheep by guiding them into green  pastures.
            a. Pastors / shepherds feed the flock by teaching and explaining the Word to their people.
            b. Jesus reminded Peter three times of his responsibility to do just this.  John 21:15-17

          Third, the shepherd / pastor protects the sheep by rebuke, warning and counsel, helping them guard against sin.