Topical Bible: Sheep: (In Proneness to Wander) of Those Who Depart from God

◄ Sheep: (In Proneness to Wander) of Those Who Depart from God ►

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In biblical literature, sheep are frequently used as a metaphor for the people of God, illustrating both their vulnerability and their tendency to stray from the path of righteousness. This imagery is deeply rooted in the pastoral culture of the ancient Near East, where sheep were a common sight and their behavior well understood. The metaphor of sheep wandering away from the shepherd is a poignant illustration of the spiritual condition of those who depart from God.

The prophet Isaiah captures this imagery succinctly: "We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). This verse highlights the universal tendency of humans to deviate from God's guidance, choosing instead to follow their own desires. The consequence of this wandering is not merely physical or temporal but deeply spiritual, resulting in separation from God.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is depicted as the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). This self-sacrificial love underscores the shepherd's commitment to restoring the wandering sheep to the fold, emphasizing God's relentless pursuit of those who have strayed.

The parable of the lost sheep, found in both Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7, further illustrates this theme. In this parable, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost, rejoicing greatly upon its return. This narrative underscores the value of each individual to God and His desire for their repentance and restoration.

The apostle Peter also uses the metaphor of sheep to describe the spiritual journey of believers: "For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1 Peter 2:25). This return to the Shepherd signifies repentance and a renewed relationship with God, facilitated by the redemptive work of Christ.

The proneness of sheep to wander serves as a cautionary reminder of the human inclination to drift away from divine guidance. It calls believers to remain vigilant, to heed the voice of the Good Shepherd, and to stay within the safety of His fold. The imagery of sheep and shepherd thus serves as both a warning and an invitation—warning of the dangers of spiritual wandering and inviting all to the safety and care of the divine Shepherd.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I do not forget your commandments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 34:16
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... Thus man, while blind, doth wander, but wearieth himself with ... counted clean and unclean:
I thought those beasts were ... not chew the cud, as the sheep, we were ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... in other places are called "the elect," "the chosen," "the sheep," and "the ... are here,
by way of specialty, called the people of God; even those of them ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... the ways of God in bringing his sheep into the ... at any time seen wicked things, by
those who professed ... Thus man, while blind, doth wander, but wearieth himself ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... call them so; and yet he did do so, when he called them "lost sheep.". ... things of
the Spirit are given by covenant in Christ to those that love God, and are ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm