Sheep
Sheep are mentioned and repeat more than any other animal in the Bible. There are many comparisons between the ways of sheep and the ways of human beings. Not only did they provide food to eat, they also provided wool for cloths. Jesus is called the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. His sheep know his voice and obeys Him. Jesus is also called the Lamb of God. The New Testament church is compared to a sheepfold.
Uses of Sheep
Abram was told by the LORD God to bring a three-year old she goat and a three-year old ram and Abram would then know that he shall inherit the land. (Genesis 15:7-:9).
Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs; these seven ewe lambs shall thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have dug this well. Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they swore both of them. (Genesis 21:27-31).
Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east. Jacob saw a well in the field and there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well’s mouth. All the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well’s mouth in his place. (Genesis 29:1-3).
Jacob pass through all the flock of Laban, removing all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep that shall be counted stolen with me. (Genesis 30:31-35).
The hand of the LORD is upon the cattle of the Pharaoh which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain a pestilence on the Egyptian flocks. (Exodus 9:3).
If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. (Exodus 22:1).
The Psalms speaks about happy is the people whose God is the LORD and whose garners are full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets. (Psalms 144:13).
Sheep are clean animals and permitted to eat. (Deuteronomy 14:4).
Mesha king of Moab was a sheep master, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams (2 Kings. 3:4).
The tribes of Israel, the sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, went out to war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand because they trusted in the LORD God. (1 Chronicles 5:18-21).
The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them. (Job 1:16).
The lambs are for clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. (Proverbs 27:26).
One lamb out of the flock, out of two hundred, out of the fat pastures of Israel; for a meat offering, and for a burnt offering, and for peace offerings, to make reconciliation for them, said the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 45:15).
Jesus speaking of the Sabbath; what man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days. (Matthew 12:11-12).
Possessing Sheep
Abel was a keeper of sheep (Genesis 4:2). Abraham had sheep that the Lord had given to Abraham. (Genesis 24:16, 35). Lot had sheep. (Genesis 13:5); Isaac had flocks and herds. (Genesis 26:14). Abimelech gave Abraham sheep. (Genesis 20:14). Abraham gave Abimelech sheep. (Genesis 21:27). When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban the brother of his mother, he helped to water the flock of Laban. (Genesis 29:10). When Jacob left Laban Jacob had many sheep. (Genesis 30:43). Jacob had flocks of oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and women servants when he met with Esau his brother. Jacob divided his people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands because he was greatly afraid and distressed about meeting Esau. (Genesis 32:5-7). Simeon and Levi, Dinahís brethren,slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechemís house, and went out. The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister. They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field. (Genesis 34:25-28). Judah sent a kid from the flock to Tamar from Timnath. (Genesis 38:17-20).
The LORD spoke unto Moses, about warring with the Midianites. They divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to battle, and between all the congregation: and levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep. The booty, being the rest of the prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep, The LORD’S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen. (Numbers 31:32-37). And of the children of Israel’s half, which Moses divided from the men that warred. (Now the half that pertained unto the congregation was three hundred thousand and thirty thousand and seven thousand and five hundred sheep. (Numbers 31:42-43).
The Wool of Sheep
Sheep were used for food, and also were raised for their wool.
This is the law of the plague of leprosy in a garment of woolen or linen, either in the warp, or woof, or anything of skins, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean. The garment also that the plague of leprosy is in, whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment; it be in the warp, or woof; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin, or in any thing made of skin. And if the plague be greenish or reddish in the garment, or in the skin, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in any thing of skin; it is a plague of leprosy, and shall be showed unto the priest: And the priest shall look upon the plague, and shut up it that hath the plague seven days: And he shall look on the plague on the seventh day: if the plague be spread in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in a skin, or in any work that is made of skin; the plague is a fretting leprosy; it is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment, whether warp or woof, in woolen or in linen, or anything of skin, wherein the plague is: for it is a fretting leprosy; it shall be burnt in the fire. (Leviticus 13:47-52, 59).
Gideon said unto God, If He would save Israel by the hands of Gideon hand, Gideon would put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that the LORD God would save Israel by the hand of Gideon, as the LORD had said. (Judge 6:36-37).
Mesha king of Moab was a sheep master, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.100,000 lambs and the wool of 100,000 rams (2 Kings. 3:4).
A virtuous woman seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands. (Proverbs 31:13).
The Word of the LORD came to Ezekiel telling him to prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel They eat the fat, and they clothe themselves with the wool, they kill them that are fed: but they feed not the flock. (Ezekiel 34:1-3). And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. (Ezekiel 44:17).
When Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people. (Hebrews 9:19).
Sacrificing sheep
Lambs were used as a burn offering. Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and inquired where the lamb for a burnt offering. Abraham told his son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:7-8).
It was commanded by the LORD the ordinance of the Passover shall be kept in his season from year to year. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring the Children of Israel into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore unto them and to their fathers, and shall give it to them, they shall set apart unto the LORD the first born, and the firstling that comes from beast which they have; the males shall be the LORDíS. And every firstling of an ass you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you wilt not redeem it, then you shall break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among your children shall you redeem. (Exodus 13:10-13).
Now this is that which shall be offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at even. And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. And the other lamb you shall offer at even, and shall do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto you. (Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3; Ezekiel 46:13). The people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the Sabbaths and in the new moons. And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the Sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish. (Ezekiel 46:3-4). And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest. (Leviticus 12:6).
You shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the LORD, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savor unto the LORD. Then you shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest. (Leviticus 23:18; Numbers 28:11, 19,:27; 29:2, 8, 36).
Sheep Was Uses Symbolically
The Bible compares people to sheep without a leader or shepherd. Sheep symbolized people scattered like sheep without a shepherd. Shepherds have always been responsible for the physical survival and welfare of their own flocks or the flocks of their masters. Without the shepherd the sheep were helpless.
Just like shepherds in the field the LORD the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. (Numbers 27:16- 17). Saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, these have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace. (1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 18:16). When Jesus saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then Jesus said to his disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. (Matthew 9:36-37).
God as Shepherd
But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel. (Genesis 49:24).
David calls the LORD his shepherd; and he shall not want. David describes what the shepherd does by describing the LORD. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalms 23:1-6). The LORD God made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. (Psalms 78:52-53). He is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice. (Psalms 95:7). Know you that the LORD he is God: it is he that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. (Psalms 100:3).
The Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40: 10-11).
Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, said the Lord GOD. 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. And as for you, O my flock, thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. Seem it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? And to have drunk of the deep waters, but you must foul the residue with your feet? And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because you have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad. Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. (Ezekiel 34:11ñ27).
Jesus as Shepherd and as Lamb of God
Throughout the New Testament Jesus is called the Good Shepherd. Jesus refers to Himself as the good shepherd when He said: I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, who do not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.
The hireling flees, because he is an hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (John 10: 11-17). The God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. (Hebrews 13:20).
Peter, the elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4).
When John the Baptist say Jesus coming he said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. (John 1: 29).
John in Revelations heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelations 5:11-13). John also saw when the Lamb opened the first seal. (Revelations 6:1). John saw a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred’s, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. (Revelations 7:9-10). John heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelations 12:10-11). All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelations 13:8). John saw a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelations 14:1). John saw those that would make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelations 17:14). The marriage of the Lamb has come blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb. (Revelations 19:7-9).
The People of God as Sheep
People of the LORD God are absolutely dependence upon on Him for our existence, our health, and most of all our wellbeing and happiness. He is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if you will hear his voice. (Psalms 95:7). The people of God are told to seek the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:31-32).
Sheep of Christ
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ìI am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. “ (John 10:1-16). Jesus speaking of the Jews He told them who He was but they did not believe the works that He did in the name of His Father. ‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:25-28).
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MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Sheep:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Feb 2015.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2330,>.
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Holstein, Joanne (2015, February) “Sheep:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2330,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “Sheep:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (February), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2330, (accessed).
