ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Pulelulu Me 10, 2023

רעה The Regal Shepherd

KO E TAUHISIPI FAKA-TU‘I

NUMBERS 27:15-17

MOSES SPOKE TO THE LORD, SAYING, "LET THE LORD, THE GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH, APPOINT A MAN OVER THE CONGREGATION WHO SHALL GO OUT BEFORE THEM AND COME IN BEFORE THEM, WHO SHALL LEAD THEM OUT AND BRING THEM IN, THAT THE CONGREGATION OF THE LORD MAY NOT BE AS SHEEP THAT HAVE NO SHEPHERD."

NOMIPA 27:15-17

15 Pea fakatau folofola ‘a Mōsese ki he ‘Eiki, ‘o pehē, 16 Ke fakanofo mu‘a ‘e Sihova, ko e ‘Otua ‘o e ngaahi laumālie ‘o e kakano kotoa pē, ha tangata ke pule ki he fakataha. 17 Ha taha te ne fotu ma‘u pē ‘i ‘ao mo tu‘a, ha taha te ne taki atu kinautolu mo taki mai; ke ‘oua na‘a hoko ‘a e fakataha ‘a e ‘Afiona ‘o hangē ha fanga sipi ‘oku ‘ikai hanau tauhi.

"Like sheep without a shepherd." Jesus used that image to describe the crowds on whom he had compassion (Matt. 9:36). But Jesus, a student of Moses and the prophets, wasn't inventing the simile; he was reusing an ancient scriptural analogy. Its first occurrence is when Moses asks God for a leader (Joshua) to replace him, so Israel "may not be as sheep that have no ro'eh [shepherd]." Later, Micaiah "saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no ro'eh" (1 Kings 22:17). And Ezekiel saw God's people "scattered, because there was no ro'eh" (34:5).

For a king (like David) or leader (like Joshua) to be called a ro'eh was common (2 Sam. 5:2). So when Jesus calls himself "the good shepherd," he's doing more than painting a quaint picture. He's proclaiming himself king. He is the ruler of Israel. Rather than lording it over us, however, in sacrificial love he "lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11).

"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock... Stir up your might and come to save us!" (Ps. 80:1-2).