Definition and Role:
Shepherding in biblical times was a vital occupation, deeply embedded in the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Israel. A shepherd's primary role was to care for, guide, and protect the flock, ensuring their safety and well-being. This occupation required vigilance, dedication, and a deep understanding of the needs of the sheep.

Biblical Significance:
Shepherding is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing leadership, care, and guidance. The image of the shepherd is used to describe God's relationship with His people, as well as the role of spiritual leaders.

Old Testament References:
The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were shepherds, highlighting the importance of this role in the early history of Israel. David, before becoming king, was a shepherd, which prepared him for his future leadership. In Psalm 23, David famously writes, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1), illustrating God's provision and care.

Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel also use the imagery of shepherding to convey messages from God. Isaiah 40:11 states, "He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads the nursing ewes" . Ezekiel 34 criticizes the leaders of Israel for failing to shepherd the people properly, contrasting them with God, the true Shepherd.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is depicted as the Good Shepherd. In John 10:11, Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" . This statement emphasizes His sacrificial love and commitment to His followers.

The role of shepherding is also applied to church leaders. In 1 Peter 5:2-3, elders are exhorted to "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not lording it over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock" .

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons:
Shepherding symbolizes God's care, guidance, and protection. It teaches about the responsibility of leaders to nurture and guide those under their care. The shepherd's relationship with the sheep is one of intimacy and knowledge, reflecting how God knows and loves His people.

The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) illustrates God's relentless pursuit of the lost, emphasizing His desire for repentance and restoration. This parable highlights the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, underscoring the value of each individual to God.

Conclusion:
Shepherding remains a powerful metaphor for leadership and care within the Christian faith. It calls believers to trust in God's guidance and to emulate His love and dedication in their relationships with others.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shepherd.4165. poimaino -- to act as a shepherd
... Cognate: 4165 -- properly, to , caring for (protecting) the flock. 4165
("shepherding, pastoring") is distinct from "feeding" (1006 ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4165.htm - 8k4830. marith -- a pasturing, shepherding, pasturage
... 4829, 4830. marith. 4831 . a pasturing, shepherding, pasturage. Transliteration:
marith Phonetic Spelling: (meer-eeth') Short Definition: pasture. ...
/hebrew/4830.htm - 6k

God's Need of Men who Pray
... His pleasure our joy. He is, today, seeking the lost and He would have us seek with
Him. He is shepherding the lambs and He wants our cooperation. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/iv gods need of men.htm

Thou Anointest My Head with Oil; My Cup Runneth Over.
... He has been with them all through life, leading, guiding, guarding, shepherding
them at all times, going before them with the blessings of goodness. ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/x thou anointest my head.htm

The Good Shepherd' and his one Flock' - Last Discourse at the ...
... [4176] It only required to recall the Old Testament language about the shepherding
of God, and that of evil shepherds, to make the application to what had so ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the good shepherd.htm

Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
... 6; Zechariah 11:4-11). But other prophecies spoke of the true shepherding
of God and his Messiah (Psalm 23. lxxvii.20; Psalm 80:1 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxii discourse on the good.htm

Letter Xcii. To the Italians and Gauls.
... Clerical dignity is a thing of the past. There is a complete lack of men
shepherding the Lord's flock with knowledge. Ambitious ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xcii to the italians.htm

Two Retrospects of one Life
... if we think of our days as a series of gifts of God, if we look upon them, as Jacob
looked upon them when he was sane, as being one continued shepherding by God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/two retrospects of one life.htm

Chapter xlviii
... blessing. Then he describes God as ro'eh, "the one shepherding," the participle
expressing continuity: God still shepherds. Himself ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlviii.htm

Christ
... Did a flock of sheep lie at rest upon the hillside, guarded by a shepherd's care,
at once he would unfold the shepherding of a Father's love. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

Chapter xxxvii
... Next we are informed as to his occupation: "he was doing a shepherd's work"
"ro'eh; literally: "he was shepherding." He was not with the cattle but "among ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvii.htm

The Second Epistle to Timothy
... 1) the portrait of the ideal Christian minister, busily engaged in the work of his
Master, confessing His Name, proclaiming His truth, shepherding His fold ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the second epistle to timothy.htm

Shepherding (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shepherd. Multi-Version
Concordance Shepherding (2 Occurrences). Luke 17:7 But which ...
/s/shepherding.htm - 7k

Waterless (7 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:12 These are in your love-feasts craggy rocks; feasting together with you,
without fear shepherding themselves; clouds without water, by winds carried ...
/w/waterless.htm - 8k

Fruitless (4 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:12 These are in your love-feasts craggy rocks; feasting together with you,
without fear shepherding themselves; clouds without water, by winds carried ...
/f/fruitless.htm - 7k

Craggy (1 Occurrence)
... Jude 1:12 These are in your love-feasts craggy rocks; feasting together with you,
without fear shepherding themselves; clouds without water, by winds carried ...
/c/craggy.htm - 6k

Carouse (3 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:12 These are in your love-feasts craggy rocks; feasting together with you,
without fear shepherding themselves; clouds without water, by winds carried ...
/c/carouse.htm - 7k

Shepherdess (1 Occurrence)

/s/shepherdess.htm - 6k

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)

/s/shepherds.htm - 24k

Bondman (108 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:7 But which of you is there who, having a bondman ploughing or shepherding,
when he comes in out of the field, will say, Come and lie down immediately ...
/b/bondman.htm - 36k

Lie (291 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:7 But which of you is there who, having a bondman ploughing or shepherding,
when he comes in out of the field, will say, Come and lie down immediately ...
/l/lie.htm - 48k

Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:11). Love is a fundamental prerequisite to the exercise of
the shepherding function (John 21:15-18). The duties are ...
/t/teaching.htm - 62k

What is the Shepherding Movement? | GotQuestions.org

What is heavy shepherding? | GotQuestions.org

Does a person / ministry need a spiritual covering? | GotQuestions.org

Shepherding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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